Joshua 8-9

"Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands” (10:8).  Though Israel had many warriors, their conquest of Canaan was due to God’s power, not their own.  When the community had hidden sin and rebellion, they lost God’s help in battle (ch 7), and they were defeated by their enemies.  But when they cooperated with God, He sent hailstones (10:11), prolonged the daylight (10:13), and gave them victory.  God “fought for Israel” (v42).

God’s purpose was not to destroy the Canaanites or to favor an ethnic group.  He was calling His people to abandon idolatry, to be holy, and to trust Him for their victory.