Joshua 11:1-6 - Do not be afraid of them

11:1-5

Having defeated the southern kings, attention now turns to the northern kings. Things follow a similar pattern, but without any obvious miracles. One of the kings gathers together other kings (remembering that the kings were really just local leaders) to fight against Israel. So we get the names of the kings involved, and the people they represented. They joined forces and prepared to fight against Israel at the Waters of Merom. We should not be afraid when various elements in society seem to be working together against the gospel.

11:6

The gathered armies would have seemed quite formidable. Also they had chariots, which meant they were more powerful than the southern armies had been. So the Lord reassures Joshua, and instructs him not to be afraid. The battle would last only a day, He also tells Joshua one of the things that he is to do, namely to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots, i.e. to render them militarily impotent.