Joshua Chapter 12 Verse 1

• We’re about to read a thorough list, an all encompassing summary of the kings defeated by Israel on the East of the Jordan and the West of the Jordan. It may seem tedious to us but just imagine for a minute that you were there, one of the people, someone who lived in the land…

• The memories of Moses would come flooding in…the recollection and retrospection of God’s provision for the nation…not just the Manna and the drying up of the River Jordan at precisely the right moment…but also, as these kings and provinces are named…yes, I remember…hey remember that? When the hailstones crashed down like mountains? Remember when we lost Achan…I still miss him…oh yes, I remember that day, that double day…man God is so faithful…

• So for us this may be a little bit tedious but not to them, not to Joshua, not to the Lord because if we can empathize and open our hearts to the historical scene in our own minds’ eye, then we will wonder again at the strength of God and at the faith, obedience and servant hearts of Moses and Joshua…

Joshua Chapter 12 Verses 2 – 6

• And so these are the areas to the east of the Jordan River where the nation Israel settled under the leadership of Moses and as you recall some stayed there in these conquered kingdoms because of their splendor and beauty however all of the men of war crossed over the Jordan with Joshua in conquest of the Promised Land and later would return after the seven year campaign was complete…which they will do now and we will read in Chapter 13…
• But one point before we move on that amped me up about what we just read…we read there in verse 1 that, “These are the kings of the land whom the children of Israel defeated.” And we read there in verse 6, “These Moses the servant of the Lord and the children of Israel had conquered…” But let’s be real for a minute…did they have any chance other than the promises of God?
• Isn’t that interesting? Without the provision and the promises and the power of God fighting their battles…would they have conquered anything? The answer is no…they were the challengers, right? They were never defending their own land…they were always advancing. Advancing against fortified cities and sophistical safeguard strategies…They were outnumbered, under-armed and nomadic…all of those pose a significant disadvantage militarity…and yet each time, save one (the first siege of AI) they were successful…
• Here’s the point. The conquering, the victory, the rewards…all belong solely to God! And yet the people and the servant leaders…look how they share in all of those things! And that humbles me. My beautiful family, my blessing of a job, this wonderful, simple, unified and pure church family we enjoy, this fantastic facility, these comfortable chairs, these tremendous ministries and events that we have here…Women’s Study, Men’s Breakfast, AMPED, Logos315, UTurn, The Giving Tree, The Pantry, First Fruits, PNO, Morning Star, our fantastic Children’s Ministry, C4 Movers, Slave Church, Fall Festival, Church Campout, Servants Dinner, VBS…all of these things being such a blessing, all of these things being so phenomenally successful even…why? Because of us? No…it’s all because of God’s unmerited, unwarranted and yet somehow unrestrained grace and favor and provision…just Dad blessing His kids man…Just Him being a Father...to me…
• The victory, the reward…they are all His and yet He gives me an inheritance! As His people we share in all of these things and not just the events, not just the “things” but the joy and the surge that each one brings as we reflect…see what I’m saying? What are any of these things without Him? Not a failure. Not a non-victory…man they’re non-existent…and so to God goes all of the glory and yet He calls us His victors! So humbling!!

Joshua Chapter 12 Verses 7 – 24

• (Video)

• And so God makes good on His Word. All the way back in Chapter 1 verses 2 through 4, “Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them-the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon, as far as the Great River, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites and to the Great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory…”
• God said it, Joshua believed it, his life reflected that…His courage resonated that fact…and through Joshua (Jesus), God’s promises, His heart to give His people a home…delivered…