Theme
The God who led and blessed Israel is still leading and blessing His people today.
Introduction
Book of Joshua chapter 12 serves as a record of victories and conquered kings. It is a transitional chapter that looks back over the military campaigns Israel completed under Joshua and under Moses.
The chapter is essentially a historical summary listing the kings defeated east and west of the Jordan River.
The chapter is divided into two main sections:
- Kings Defeated Under Moses’ Leadership (Vs 1-6)
- Kings Defeated Under Joshua’s Leadership (Vs 7-24)
For the purpose of this study, we will look at both divisions first and then seek to make practical applications for the Christian life.
The Kings Defeated by Israel
(Joshua 12:1-24)
Kings Defeated Under Moses’ Leadership (Vs 1-6)
Before Israel crossed the Jordan into Canaan, Moses led victories over two major Amorite kings east of the Jordan.
Sihon, King of Heshbon
(Numbers 21:21-30)
Sihon, the king of Heshbon, ruled over a large territory on the east side of the Jordan River.
Joshua 12:2-3 gives us the scope of his land. Most of his land was along the east and north-east of the Dead Sea, but verse 3 tells us that it stretched all the way up to the Sea of Chinneroth, later known as the Sea of Galilee.
The book of Numbers tells us how he came to rule so much land:
Numbers 21:26
“For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.”
Effectively, Sihon had the monopoly on the land on the south-east of the Jordan River.
Og, King of Bashan
(Numbers 21:31-35)
Og, king of Bashan, ruled over an even more impressive territory on the north-east of the Jordan River.
His kingdom was known for fertile lands, fortified cities, and military strength.
Apparently, King Og was the last descendant of the giants on the east side of the Jordan River.
Deuteronomy 3:11
“For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants…”
King David referred to the quality of the livestock produced there:
Psalm 22:12
“Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.”
Lands Given to Reuben, Gad, and Half Manasseh
The lands of Sihon and Og were given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Scope of the Land
Deuteronomy 3:16
“And unto the Reubenites and unto the Gadites I gave from Gilead even unto the river Arnon…”
The river Arnon marked the southern boundary near the Dead Sea.
Mount Hermon stood in the extreme north of the Promised Land.
The Jordan River begins on the slopes of Mount Hermon, flows south to the Sea of Galilee, and empties into the Dead Sea.
Why These Tribes Requested the Land
Numbers 32:1-2, 5
“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle…”
The quality of the land is seen in the desire of these tribes to raise their flocks and herds there.
Kings Defeated Under Joshua’s Leadership (Vs 7-24)
After crossing into Canaan, Joshua led Israel in defeating 31 kings west of the Jordan.
These kings ruled over various city-states throughout Canaan.
We have already studied the first half of Joshua, so we need not revisit every conquest, but verses 7-8 summarise the victories.
Though much land was conquered, Joshua 13 shows there were still pockets of territory remaining to be subdued.
Verses 9-24 list 31 defeated kings.
The repeated use of the word “one” after each king shows they could be counted one by one, and in every case God gave Israel victory.
Many of these kings ruled powerful nations, but when God was ready to judge them, there was nothing they could do to escape His hand.
When God is ready to judge the world in the Great Tribulation, it will not matter how strong the nations appear.
Spiritual Lessons from Israel’s Conquest
God Keeps His Promises
This chapter may seem like just a list of names, but it demonstrates that God fulfilled His promise to give Israel the land of Canaan.
Genesis 12:7
“Unto thy seed will I give this land…”
God had promised the land to Abraham around 400 years earlier.
Abraham did not live to see the fulfilment, but his faith proved well placed.
God was faithful to His promise and gave the land to Abraham’s descendants.
Lessons for Us
We can trust God’s Word and claim His promises by faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:24
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
Hebrews 13:5
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
God will never fail us.
God will also fulfil His Word concerning future events.
We can trust Him concerning:
- The rapture of the church
- The Great Tribulation
- Final judgement at the Great White Throne
If there is no God, sin ultimately goes unpunished. But because God exists, justice will be served in the end.
Every Victory Was Significant
Each listed king represents a battle, danger, and deliverance.
With every battle came new dangers, but with every battle came victory by the hand of God.
Israel’s defeat at Ai reminds us that victory belonged to God.
Without Him, Israel would fall.
The list of kings stands as a testimony to God’s power and deliverance.
A Personal Application
It is good to make a list of the things God has done for you.
Remember:
- Times God provided
- Times prayer was answered
- Times God delivered you
That list becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness and may bless others.
Israel’s Inheritance Came Through Struggle
Though God promised the land, Israel had to go forward by faith to possess it.
When the spies first entered the land, ten said it could not be conquered.
Only Joshua and Caleb believed God.
Forty years later, Joshua and Caleb led Israel in faith and saw God do mighty works.
Christian Application
The Christian life is also a walk of faith.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
There are many dangers along the way:
- Some become comfortable and stop growing spiritually
- Some become discouraged through trials or offences
- Some are deceived into easy Christianity without sacrifice
Hebrews 6:1
“Let us go on unto perfection.”
Luke 17:1
“It is impossible but that offences will come.”
1 Timothy 6:11-12
“Fight the good fight of faith…”
As Israel fought for inheritance, so the Christian must labour for eternal reward.
1 Corinthians 3:14
“If any man’s work abide… he shall receive a reward.”
Unity of Moses and Joshua’s Leadership
This chapter links the victories under Moses to the victories under Joshua, showing continuity in God’s work across generations.
The God who led His people in years gone by is still leading His people today.
When one generation passes, God raises up another.
1 Kings 19:18
“Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel…”
God is still accomplishing His work.
God Still Brings Revival
The God who brought revival in years gone by is still able to bring revival today.
Many know of revivals such as:
- The First Great Awakening
- The British Great Awakening
- Early Billy Graham crusades
The God who moved then can move now because:
- His power has not changed
- His Word has not changed
- His message has not changed
- His work has not changed
Psalm 90:2
Psalm 119:89
Mark 16:15
2 Peter 3:9
Revelation 22:17
Conclusion
We need to take the spiritual lessons from this passage to heart.
Victories should be remembered with gratitude, and what seems like “just a list” often contains evidence of God’s faithfulness.
The God who did great things in the past is still doing great things today.
Since our Easter Friday service, we have seen more than 30 visitors come through the doors of this church.
Some have not returned, but we praise God for the opportunity to preach the Word of God to them.
Others have continued to attend, and we rejoice to see it.
It is all the work of God, and as we look at what He is doing, we can affirm that God is still at work in this church.
You can trust His Word because God always keeps His promises.