Five Kings Found Hiding in a Cave
Five Kings Found Hiding in a Cave
Text: Joshua 10:15–27
Theme: Spiritual warfare in the Christian life
These are the original cavemen! Five kings who had gathered to fight against Israel were now hiding in a cave at Makkedah. Their armies had been defeated, their plans had failed, and their hiding place could not save them from Joshua.
Beyond this historical account, the passage provides pictures of both coming judgment and the Christian’s spiritual warfare.
Prophetically, Joshua’s conquest in chapter 10 can be viewed as a picture of Christ’s victory at Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation. Chapter 11 can likewise be considered a picture of the final rebellion of Gog and Magog after the millennium. These are prophetic parallels drawn from the history. Revelation directly records the future events.
When Jesus Christ returns in power, the kingdoms of this world will become his kingdoms (Revelation 11:15). Revelation 6:15–17 describes kings and others seeking shelter from divine wrath. Their hiding places will offer no lasting protection from the Lord.
Joshua 10:15 also gives us a “spoiler alert,” anticipating the return to Gilgal recorded in verse 43. Before the account unfolds, we get a glimpse of its conclusion. If you have read the back of the Book, you know that you are on the winning side with God. The God who stands at the beginning of Scripture also brings its promises to their appointed end.
This passage also illustrates our present warfare. Christ has defeated sin through his death and resurrection, but believers still encounter its activity in the flesh. A defeated enemy can still be dangerous.
The Problem — Pesky Enemies
The five kings hid in a cave where darkness and concealment offered temporary shelter. John 3:19 explains why sinful men prefer darkness: their deeds are evil.
Sin still seeks cover. It hides behind excuses, secret habits, private imaginations, and outward appearances. Something may disappear from public view yet remain protected in the heart.
The kings were defeated, but they were still enemies. Similarly, Christ’s victory does not mean that the believer no longer faces temptation. Romans 6 teaches that sin must no longer reign over us, yet we must actively yield ourselves to God.
We must take sin seriously. Romans 6:23 identifies its wages as death. Genesis 4:7 warns of its threatening presence. The account of a plagued house in Leviticus 14 illustrates the need for careful examination and decisive action when corruption is discovered. Covering the affected area would not cleanse the house.
We cannot make our hearts clean by covering what is wrong. The heart and mind are a cave that requires particular attention. Proverbs 6:18 identifies a heart that devises wicked imaginations. Romans 1:21 describes vain imaginations and a darkened heart. Proverbs 4:23 commands us to keep our hearts with all diligence.
What we shelter within eventually influences what comes out. Jesus said: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” — Matthew 12:34
An angry answer may reveal bitterness. Continual boasting may reveal pride. A careless remark may reveal an imagination entertained for some time. The question is personal: What am I allowing to hide in my heart?
The Pursuit — Persistent and Perpetual Obedience
Joshua secured the cave and commanded Israel to continue pursuing the enemy. Discovering the hidden kings did not cancel their remaining responsibilities.
We must not allow one problem to distract us from continued obedience. Address what God has revealed while continuing to walk in what he has already commanded.
Jeremiah 7:23 records God’s command to obey his voice and walk in his ways. The Christian life requires that same readiness to hear and obey the Lord.
If we do not press forward, the world, the flesh, and the devil will work to push us backward. Paul described his pursuit this way: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14
Yesterday’s victory does not remove today’s responsibility. Joshua 10:20 records that some survivors escaped into fenced cities. Their protected positions illustrate how hard it is to give an enemy time to establish itself. A sinful habit can likewise become more deeply rooted when we continually postpone dealing with it.
Six practical steps help us pursue obedience.
1. Confession for forgiveness. First John 1:9 directs us to confess our sins. Be honest with God. Name the sin rather than defending it, minimizing it, or blaming someone else.
2. Cleansing by the blood, the book, and the Spirit. First John 1:7 identifies the cleansing supplied by the blood of Jesus Christ. John 15:3 speaks of cleansing through Christ’s word. First Corinthians 6:11 connects washing and sanctification with the name of the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God. Depend upon Christ’s provision and submit to the cleansing work of his truth.
3. Conceding your heart and mind to the Holy Ghost. Romans 6:13, 16, and 19 call us to yield ourselves to God and our members to righteousness. Surrender involves how we think, speak, look, listen, and act.
4. Consciously submitting to God and resisting the devil.
James 4:7 links submission and resistance. We resist the devil while placing ourselves under God’s authority.
5. Casting down imaginations. Second Corinthians 10:5 calls us to bring thoughts into obedience to Christ. We must refuse to feed imaginations that oppose the knowledge of God. Measure your thoughts by Scripture and direct your mind toward what pleases the Lord.
6. Containing the flesh and mind. Joshua blocked the entrance and placed guards over the cave until he could return to deal with the kings. We also need practical guards against sinful opportunities.
Remove access to a temptation. Change a harmful routine. Establish accountability. Refuse to make provision for the flesh. “Box your ox” offers a useful reminder from Exodus 21:28–29: knowing danger exists means you must restrain it. Don't let something destructive run loose and injure you or someone else.
But containment must lead to dealing with the sin itself. Joshua did not leave the kings hidden indefinitely. Safeguards should help us obey God, not help us preserve a secret.
David wrote: “I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.” — Psalm 18:37
That determination illustrates the persistence we need in spiritual warfare. Keep pursuing obedience. Keep depending upon the Lord. Keep addressing what his word exposes.
The Peace — Presence of God
Joshua 10:21 records that the people returned to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. They returned safely, and opposition was silenced. For the Christian, inward peace comes through trusting the Lord and walking in fellowship with him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3
A mind stayed on the Lord has somewhere secure to rest. We may not control every circumstance, but we can trust the God who does. Peace does not end every conflict. After Israel returned in peace, Joshua still dealt with the five kings in verses 22–27. There was unfinished work.
You can have peace in your heart while still confronting temptation, correcting a sinful habit, or enduring opposition. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
Our peace rests in him. His victory gives us courage while the conflict continues.
Be Strong and of Good Courage
Joshua brought the kings out of the cave and encouraged his captains. In verse 25, he directed their confidence toward what the LORD would do to their enemies.
Verses 40–43 describe the sweeping victory of this southern campaign and explain its source: the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
The believer’s confidence likewise rests in the Lord. Christ’s victory gives us courage to obey. Through the Spirit, we must mortify the deeds of the body rather than allow sin to rule us (Romans 8:13).
What is hiding in your cave? Confess it. Submit it to the authority of God’s word. Remove the opportunities that feed it. Continue pursuing obedience while trusting the Lord for strength.
We do not have to live in fear or dismay. We can be strong and courageous because the Lord is faithful. The conflict is real, but so is the peace we have in Christ.
Text: Joshua 10:15–27
Theme: Spiritual warfare in the Christian life
These are the original cavemen! Five kings who had gathered to fight against Israel were now hiding in a cave at Makkedah. Their armies had been defeated, their plans had failed, and their hiding place could not save them from Joshua.
Beyond this historical account, the passage provides pictures of both coming judgment and the Christian’s spiritual warfare.
Prophetically, Joshua’s conquest in chapter 10 can be viewed as a picture of Christ’s victory at Armageddon at the end of the Tribulation. Chapter 11 can likewise be considered a picture of the final rebellion of Gog and Magog after the millennium. These are prophetic parallels drawn from the history. Revelation directly records the future events.
When Jesus Christ returns in power, the kingdoms of this world will become his kingdoms (Revelation 11:15). Revelation 6:15–17 describes kings and others seeking shelter from divine wrath. Their hiding places will offer no lasting protection from the Lord.
Joshua 10:15 also gives us a “spoiler alert,” anticipating the return to Gilgal recorded in verse 43. Before the account unfolds, we get a glimpse of its conclusion. If you have read the back of the Book, you know that you are on the winning side with God. The God who stands at the beginning of Scripture also brings its promises to their appointed end.
This passage also illustrates our present warfare. Christ has defeated sin through his death and resurrection, but believers still encounter its activity in the flesh. A defeated enemy can still be dangerous.
The Problem — Pesky Enemies
The five kings hid in a cave where darkness and concealment offered temporary shelter. John 3:19 explains why sinful men prefer darkness: their deeds are evil.
Sin still seeks cover. It hides behind excuses, secret habits, private imaginations, and outward appearances. Something may disappear from public view yet remain protected in the heart.
The kings were defeated, but they were still enemies. Similarly, Christ’s victory does not mean that the believer no longer faces temptation. Romans 6 teaches that sin must no longer reign over us, yet we must actively yield ourselves to God.
We must take sin seriously. Romans 6:23 identifies its wages as death. Genesis 4:7 warns of its threatening presence. The account of a plagued house in Leviticus 14 illustrates the need for careful examination and decisive action when corruption is discovered. Covering the affected area would not cleanse the house.
We cannot make our hearts clean by covering what is wrong. The heart and mind are a cave that requires particular attention. Proverbs 6:18 identifies a heart that devises wicked imaginations. Romans 1:21 describes vain imaginations and a darkened heart. Proverbs 4:23 commands us to keep our hearts with all diligence.
What we shelter within eventually influences what comes out. Jesus said: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” — Matthew 12:34
An angry answer may reveal bitterness. Continual boasting may reveal pride. A careless remark may reveal an imagination entertained for some time. The question is personal: What am I allowing to hide in my heart?
The Pursuit — Persistent and Perpetual Obedience
Joshua secured the cave and commanded Israel to continue pursuing the enemy. Discovering the hidden kings did not cancel their remaining responsibilities.
We must not allow one problem to distract us from continued obedience. Address what God has revealed while continuing to walk in what he has already commanded.
Jeremiah 7:23 records God’s command to obey his voice and walk in his ways. The Christian life requires that same readiness to hear and obey the Lord.
If we do not press forward, the world, the flesh, and the devil will work to push us backward. Paul described his pursuit this way: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14
Yesterday’s victory does not remove today’s responsibility. Joshua 10:20 records that some survivors escaped into fenced cities. Their protected positions illustrate how hard it is to give an enemy time to establish itself. A sinful habit can likewise become more deeply rooted when we continually postpone dealing with it.
Six practical steps help us pursue obedience.
1. Confession for forgiveness. First John 1:9 directs us to confess our sins. Be honest with God. Name the sin rather than defending it, minimizing it, or blaming someone else.
2. Cleansing by the blood, the book, and the Spirit. First John 1:7 identifies the cleansing supplied by the blood of Jesus Christ. John 15:3 speaks of cleansing through Christ’s word. First Corinthians 6:11 connects washing and sanctification with the name of the Lord Jesus and the Spirit of our God. Depend upon Christ’s provision and submit to the cleansing work of his truth.
3. Conceding your heart and mind to the Holy Ghost. Romans 6:13, 16, and 19 call us to yield ourselves to God and our members to righteousness. Surrender involves how we think, speak, look, listen, and act.
4. Consciously submitting to God and resisting the devil.
James 4:7 links submission and resistance. We resist the devil while placing ourselves under God’s authority.
5. Casting down imaginations. Second Corinthians 10:5 calls us to bring thoughts into obedience to Christ. We must refuse to feed imaginations that oppose the knowledge of God. Measure your thoughts by Scripture and direct your mind toward what pleases the Lord.
6. Containing the flesh and mind. Joshua blocked the entrance and placed guards over the cave until he could return to deal with the kings. We also need practical guards against sinful opportunities.
Remove access to a temptation. Change a harmful routine. Establish accountability. Refuse to make provision for the flesh. “Box your ox” offers a useful reminder from Exodus 21:28–29: knowing danger exists means you must restrain it. Don't let something destructive run loose and injure you or someone else.
But containment must lead to dealing with the sin itself. Joshua did not leave the kings hidden indefinitely. Safeguards should help us obey God, not help us preserve a secret.
David wrote: “I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.” — Psalm 18:37
That determination illustrates the persistence we need in spiritual warfare. Keep pursuing obedience. Keep depending upon the Lord. Keep addressing what his word exposes.
The Peace — Presence of God
Joshua 10:21 records that the people returned to Joshua at Makkedah in peace. They returned safely, and opposition was silenced. For the Christian, inward peace comes through trusting the Lord and walking in fellowship with him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” — Isaiah 26:3
A mind stayed on the Lord has somewhere secure to rest. We may not control every circumstance, but we can trust the God who does. Peace does not end every conflict. After Israel returned in peace, Joshua still dealt with the five kings in verses 22–27. There was unfinished work.
You can have peace in your heart while still confronting temptation, correcting a sinful habit, or enduring opposition. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
Our peace rests in him. His victory gives us courage while the conflict continues.
Be Strong and of Good Courage
Joshua brought the kings out of the cave and encouraged his captains. In verse 25, he directed their confidence toward what the LORD would do to their enemies.
Verses 40–43 describe the sweeping victory of this southern campaign and explain its source: the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.
The believer’s confidence likewise rests in the Lord. Christ’s victory gives us courage to obey. Through the Spirit, we must mortify the deeds of the body rather than allow sin to rule us (Romans 8:13).
What is hiding in your cave? Confess it. Submit it to the authority of God’s word. Remove the opportunities that feed it. Continue pursuing obedience while trusting the Lord for strength.
We do not have to live in fear or dismay. We can be strong and courageous because the Lord is faithful. The conflict is real, but so is the peace we have in Christ.
Posted in Courage, Endurance, Obedience, Oppositions, Peace, Second Advent, Spiritual Warfare
Posted in courage, Obedience, Opposition, Spiritual Warfare, peace
Posted in courage, Obedience, Opposition, Spiritual Warfare, peace
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