“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.”
My Notes
What Does Joshua 11:6 Mean?
Israel faces a coalition of northern Canaanite kings with horses and chariots — the ancient world's most advanced military technology. God's response is a specific promise with a specific timeline: "to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel." Not "eventually." Tomorrow.
The instruction to "hough their horses" (hamstring them, disabling them without killing them) and burn the chariots is counterintuitive military strategy. Standard practice would be to capture the superior technology for your own use. God forbids it. Israel must destroy the military advantage rather than absorb it, ensuring they continue to depend on God rather than on technological superiority.
This is a pattern: God consistently strips Israel of self-sufficient military power. No horses (Deuteronomy 17:16), no reliance on chariot technology, no standing army until much later. The nation's security must remain rooted in covenant relationship, not military capability.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'horses and chariots' in your life is God asking you to destroy rather than keep?
- 2.Why does God consistently strip Israel of self-sufficient military power?
- 3.How do you distinguish between responsible planning and trusting in your own resources over God?
- 4.When has releasing a 'safety net' actually led to greater security through dependence on God?
Devotional
God tells Joshua to destroy the horses and burn the chariots. Not capture them — destroy them. The most advanced military technology in the ancient world, handed to Israel on a silver platter, and God says: wreck it. Don't keep it. Don't use it.
This makes zero strategic sense — unless your strategy is dependence on God. The moment Israel has horses and chariots, they have an alternative to faith. They have a fallback plan. They have something to trust besides the voice that said "tomorrow about this time." And God won't share their trust with technology.
This principle extends far beyond ancient warfare. What resources or advantages has God asked you to release rather than accumulate? What safety nets has he asked you to dismantle? It might be a financial cushion you're hoarding instead of giving. A relationship you're clinging to instead of releasing. A skill you're depending on instead of leaning on God.
God doesn't take things away because he wants you weak. He takes them away because he wants you dependent. And dependence on him produces a security that no amount of horses and chariots could provide. The coalition army was destroyed the next day — not by Israel's military might but by God's promised deliverance.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And the Lord said unto Joshua, be not afraid because of them,.... Of their number, of their horsemen, and of their…
Hough their horses - i. e. cut the sinews of the hinder hoofs. This sinew once severed cannot be healed, and the horses…
Be not afraid - of them - To meet such a formidable host so well equipped, in their own country, furnished with all that…
We are here entering upon the story of another campaign that Joshua made, and it was a glorious one, no less illustrious…
And the Lord said We may believe that Joshua was already some way on the march when these encouraging words were…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture