What is the path to victory in war? An examination of the story of Joshua in the war against the Southern Kings will reveal to us the answer.
Is there a recipe for Israel's victories in war? Let's turn to our roots in the Tanakh to figure it out.
One of the most successful wars for the people of Israel in all generations was Joshua's war against the Southern Kings (Joshua 10).
What caused the miraculous and swift success of this war? Clearly, the great miracles played a significant role: the sun standing still in Gibeon and the hailstones falling from heaven on the enemies of Israel greatly influenced Israel's success.
However, why did these miracles specifically occur in this war? It seems that in this war story, there is a recurring and meaningful motif - the participation of all the people of Israel alongside Joshua is the cause of the great victory and the great miracles.
Seven times in this chapter, there is mention of the mobilization of all Israel alongside Joshua:
1. "And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal." (15).
2. " And Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah" (29).
3. " And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish" (31).
4. "And Joshua passed from Lachish, and all Israel with him, unto Eglon" (34).
5. "And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron" (36).
6. " And Joshua turned back, and all Israel with him, to Debir" (38).
7. "And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal" (43).
Just as then, in our generation, during the Six-Day War, when there was a coalition of all the people from wall to wall, Israel achieved a miraculous victory and great miracles.
