Joshua 12

New Hope Daily SOAP: Joshua 12

Pastor Vicki Harrison

To read this text, go to: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+12&version=NIV

Joshua 12:7-8, 24,  Here is a list of the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites conquered on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal Gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir. Joshua gave their lands as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their tribal divisions.  The lands included the hill country, the western foothills, the Arabah, the mountain slopes, the wilderness and the Negev. These were the lands of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. These were the kings…thirty-one kings in all.

The battles are done and the land belongs to the Israelites, not because of their own power and excellent fighting skills, but because the battles belonged to the Lord.  He assured their victory.  Now, in this chapter, we see a specific list of the kings who were defeated on both the east and west side of the Jordan.  Our focus verses include the list of those conquered on the west side alone, thirty-one in all! 

Why the need to list them out?  Sometimes, it’s important to sit back and reflect on the specific things God has done for us.  Each of those names represents a battle the Lord won for his people.  How easy it might be for the Israelites to forget and think they had something to do with it, that is was their clever war planning, strength, or skills, rather than God and God alone. 

When is the last time you sat down and wrote a list of the things that God has done for you?  Take a moment today and make a written list of the ways God has blessed you, provided for you, protected you, or guided you.  Take note of the many times that God took care of you, took care of the battle so to speak, and it really had nothing to do with your abilities at all.  It was simply a gift of grace.  Remember and reflect.

Let’s pray…God, You are good.  We give you thanks, for your love, mercies, and blessings, are nothing short of amazing.  Forgive us for the times we allow pride to think we had anything to do with it.  More of you, Jesus, and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.