Joshua 10:21

Commentary on Joshua 10:21

Joshua 10:21 captures the triumphant aftermath of a pivotal battle in Israel's conquest of Canaan. It highlights the divine protection and overwhelming success granted to Joshua and the Israelite army, emphasizing the complete peace and security that followed their victory.

Context

This verse concludes the account of the southern campaign, a dramatic series of events initiated by the Gibeonites' plea for help against a coalition of five Amorite kings led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem. The preceding narrative in Joshua chapter 10 details God's miraculous intervention, including a hailstorm that decimated the enemy and the unprecedented event where the sun stood still at Joshua's command, allowing Israel to complete their rout of the Amorite forces. The Amorite kings were captured, humiliated, and executed at Makkedah, signifying the crushing defeat of a major opposition. Thus, the return of the people to Makkedah "in peace" is a testament to the decisive victory and the elimination of immediate threats.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Victory and Protection: The verse powerfully underscores that the victory was not merely by Israel's strength, but by God's direct intervention. The swift and total defeat of powerful enemies, followed by the safe return of the entire army, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to fight for His people.
• Perfect Peace and Security: The phrase "in peace" signifies a state of complete well-being, security, and freedom from danger. This peace was a direct result of God's judgment upon Israel's enemies and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
• Overwhelming Authority: The statement "none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel" speaks to the profound awe, dread, and submission that God had instilled in the surrounding nations. It implies a complete lack of opposition, complaint, or even a whisper of defiance, both from defeated foes and potentially from within Israel itself, reinforcing Joshua's divinely appointed leadership.
• Fulfillment of Promise: This moment of peace and secure possession of the land is a foretaste of the broader promise of God giving Israel rest from all their enemies, a recurring theme throughout the book of Joshua.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew phrase translated as "none moved his tongue" (לֹא חָרַץ אִישׁ אֶת־לְשֹׁנוֹ - lo charatz ish et-leshono) is a vivid idiom. It literally means "no man sharpened his tongue" or "no man wagged his tongue." This expression signifies an absolute silence of opposition, complaint, or threat. It paints a picture of such overwhelming victory and divine terror that no one dared to speak ill of Israel, complain about the campaign, or even whisper dissent. This complete silencing underscores the profound fear that had fallen upon the land, fulfilling earlier prophecies that God would put the dread and fear of Israel upon all the peoples under heaven.

Practical Application

Joshua 10:21 serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and His ability to bring complete peace and security even in the midst of intense spiritual battles.

• Trust in God's Protection: Believers today can draw comfort from the assurance that God fights for His people. When facing overwhelming challenges, we can trust that He can silence our adversaries and bring us to a place of peace.
• The Peace of Obedience: Israel's peace was a direct result of their obedience to God's command to conquer the land. Similarly, walking in obedience to God's will often leads to a profound sense of peace and security in our lives.
• God's Sovereignty Over Opposition: Just as God silenced the tongues of Israel's enemies, He is sovereign over all opposition, whether spiritual, relational, or circumstantial. We can rest in His power to bring calm and quiet to tumultuous situations.