The Best Strategy
So they went down after him and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. And they killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; not a man escaped. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest for eighty years. (Judges 3:18-30 ESV)
King Eglon of Moab is displayed in the book of Judges as a comical man. He is an excellent example of a Fool in the Bible.
For a time, he held sway over the people of Israel. Because he chose an apparently good stratagem. When Joshua had led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he first conquered the key region of Jericho, guarding the fords over the tempestuous waters of the Jordan River.
That was a good strategic decision for the people of Israel.
And when Eglon decided to lead the Moabites to rule over the Israelites a few years later, he chose to follow in Joshua’s sandal-steps. Eglon took the region of Jericho, too.
For a time, it worked. Israel was subject to Moab.
But Eglon had neglected the most important part of any plan. It is not enough to have a well-formulated plan. It is not enough to have courage and willpower. It is not enough to have experience, knowledge, and skills.
Any plan, to succeed, needs God.
And Eglon did not follow God.
Joshua did not defeat and hold Jericho because of his wit. Joshua defeated and held Jericho because of the One True Living God.
Joshua did not defeat and hold Jericho because of his skilled troops. Joshua defeated and held Jericho because of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Joshua did not defeat and hold Jericho because of good timing and strategic understanding. Joshua defeated and held Jericho because he believed in the coming redemption of God’s people.
Good planning and strategy are nothing. Good planning and strategy in service to the Lord is everything.
Plan accordingly.