Occupation

Jos 11:1  When Jabin king of Hazor heard of all this, he sent word to Jobab king of 
Madon; to the king of Shimron; to the king of Acshaph; 
Jos 11:2  to all the kings in the northern mountains; to the kings in the valley south of 
Kinnereth; to the kings in the western foothills and Naphoth Dor; 
Jos 11:3  to the Canaanites both east and west; to the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and 
Jebusites in the hill country; and to the Hivites below Hermon in the region of 
Mizpah. 
Jos 11:4  They came out in full force, all their troops massed together--a huge army, in 
number like sand on an ocean beach--to say nothing of all the horses and chariots. 


	Part of the promise wasn't that there would be open arms of reception, a parade 
and a band playing their national anthem. There was this wonderful land that they would 
get to occupy, but upon hearing of their arrival, instead of planning a welcoming party, 
the residing kings banded together to resist their arrival. The dream might have been to 
live in this wonderful land of overflowing abundance, but before there could be any 
repose there would have to be many battles fought against severe resistance. There would 
be a home for them there, but they would have to become active in removing the present 
occupants. It became their responsibility to purge the land of the present occupants and it 
wasn't an easy, quick, drive-through project. It took a long, long, time with much 
diligence in following God's instructions to the letter. 
	There may be a dream of a lap of luxury life that has been the perception of the 
abundant life provided in Christ. There is no doubt that it exists and that there are full 
rights of occupation. There is, however, a great possibility that present occupants in the 
land may not be very receptive of new occupants. Waltzing in to the land may not be met 
with a big bang of exuberant celebration and joy on the part of those living there now. In 
fact, as occupation begins to take place, it may appear that there is a concerted effort on 
the part of many "kings" from many regions to insure that there is no further 
advancement. It may appear that there is a major gathering of a mighty throng to resist 
any further taking of their countryside. It just may be that some work and some fighting 
might precede any enjoyment of abundance and purpose. In fact, the greater the value of 
the land being taken, there will surely be a greater requirement of energy and effort. 
	No occupation without a fight, then. No partaking without some taking by force. 
May not seem like such a favorable idea after all, and there may be a loud voice 
beckoning from the wilderness to just build a nice retirement village there. There is 
something very powerful, though, when the slightest amount of physical effort is given to 
obeying the direction of God. Where there is a willing and obedient heart, it is joined by 
the mighty hand of the Great Conqueror. Though there is effort expended, it is joined by 
His ability and His power to insure that that the war is won and victory declared. He 
never sends without equipping, but the equipping is never given where it isn't needed- 
where no effort is expended.
	It may seem like the steps taken so far have been met with the greatest resistance, 
and it may seem like the most obvious choice it to just "exit stage left". But, awaiting the 
persistent diligent effort in battle is the reward of all that was promised, along with the 
greatest reward- having been with Him through it all. 

Jos 11:23  Joshua took the whole region. He did everything that GOD had told Moses. 
Then he parceled it out as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribes. And 
Israel had rest from war. 


10/11/05