Joshua 12: God Drives out Jews Enemies

Introduction: Joshua 12 is a chapter in the Old Testament of the Bible that details the conquests of Moses and Joshua on behalf of the Israelites. It is a divine passage that uniquely illustrates the providential care of God and the fulfillment of his promises. It underscores the theme of obedience to God, and the blessings that come with it. This chapter serves as a remarkable reminder of the power and faithfulness of God.

I. Background and Context (Exodus 23:23, 27-28, 33)
Joshua 12 is situated in the context of the Exodus story, where God had promised to send an angel to drive out the enemies of the Israelites, and to send hornets ahead of them to drive out their enemies. In Joshua 12, this promise is seen to come to fruition.

II. Conquests of Moses (Joshua 12:1-6; Deuteronomy 2:24-36; 3:1-11)
Joshua 12 begins with a recounting of the victories of Moses. It mentions the conquest of Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose territory stretched from Arnon to Jabbok and the eastern border of Ammon. It also mentions the defeat of Og, king of Bashan, who ruled in Ashtaroth and Edrei. These conquests were achieved by Moses and the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, reaffirming God’s promise in Exodus.

III. Conquests of Joshua (Joshua 12:7-24; Joshua 6:2-21; 8:1-29; 10:28-43)
The rest of Joshua 12 lists the kings of the land that Joshua and the Israelites defeated. This includes the kings of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, and others. The detailed list of victories demonstrates the extent of God’s provision and the power of obedience to Him.

IV. The Significance of the Conquests: Fulfilling God’s Promise (Joshua 21:43-45; Genesis 15:18-21)
The conquests outlined in Joshua 12 are a clear fulfillment of the promises made by God to Abraham in Genesis 15. God had promised to give Abraham’s descendants the land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates. Joshua 21:43-45 confirms that God fulfilled this promise, as not one of the good promises the Lord had made to Israel failed; they all came to pass.

V. The Role of Faith and Obedience in the Conquests (Hebrews 11:30-33)
Faith and obedience played a crucial role in the conquests. Hebrews 11 highlights the faith of the Israelites, noting that by faith the walls of Jericho fell, and by faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish. The victories in Joshua 12, therefore, serve as practical illustrations of the truth that faith and obedience lead to victory.

Conclusion: Joshua 12 is a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness and the victory that comes from obedience to Him. It is a divine passage that illustrates God’s commitment to His promises, and His provision for those who trust and obey Him. It serves as a reminder that faith, coupled with obedience, leads to victory, and that God’s promises always come to pass. Therefore, as believers, we are inspired to persist in faith, trust in God’s promises, and live in obedience to His commands.