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Lesson 4, “The Conflict Behind All Conflicts” (Joshua 10), focuses on a decisive battle in the southern campaign of the conquest of Canaan, showing how the conflict isn’t just military but deeply spiritual: God’s sovereignty vs. rebellion, His promise vs. human opposition, His call to faith vs. fear. Key Events & Divine Intervention - The Gibeonites, having made peace with Israel, are threatened by a coalition of southern Canaanite kings who resent their alliance with Israel. They call on Joshua for help. - Joshua responds quickly, marching overnight from Gilgal to Gibeon. God promises victory. - In the battle, God causes panic among the enemy armies, sends large hailstones, and then Joshua asks God to make the sun and moon stand still so the Israelites may fully defeat their enemies. - The five southern kings are captured and judged—displaying that God’s justice is real. Israel completes several other conquests in the south under God’s enabling. The Deeper Conflict - Not all battles are simply about territory—but about allegiance. This lesson highlights that the conflict “behind all conflicts” is between God’s authority and human pride, between trusting God vs. self-reliance. - Joshua’s faith and obedience are central. He acts on God’s command, prays boldly, moves quickly—he doesn’t wait passively. - God’s power is highlighted—not so humans can boast, but so God gets glory. Even miraculous interventions (hailstones, extended daylight) point back to God’s hand fighting for Israel. Christ Connection Jesus’ battle was not fought with swords but spiritual warfare; still, believers are called to cooperate with God in that war. Miracles in Joshua prefigure the ultimate deliverance Christ brings. The sun standing still can remind us that God’s timing isn’t bound by human limitations. His intervention for Israel points ahead to victory over sin and death through Christ. Applications 1. Face spiritual opposition with courage rather than fear—believing that, though opposition may seem strong, God has promised victory. 2. Pray bold prayers, even ones that stretch our understanding of what is possible, trusting God can intervene in powerful ways. 3. Remember that obedience is active: moving, marching, acting when God calls—not just passive waiting. 4. Use the victories God gives (large or small) to build faith—for ourselves and for those who see our lives. ✨ In essence: “The Conflict Behind All Conflicts” calls us to recognize that while many battles in life seem external, the core struggle is spiritual. Joshua’s example shows that faith works—God fights—and so we are invited into active trust in His strength and timing.