Joshua

Joshua 12: God gives victory over kings

Begin in prayer

Before we read the list of defeated kings, please pause to worship the God who gave Israel victory and land. Ask Him to help us hear these names with thankful hearts and look to Jesus for salvation.

Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

Exodus 18:10

Lord God, please open our eyes as we read these names and places. Help us see how You gave Israel the land. Show us Christ and His victory over sin. Make us more like Him, and please bless our family with hearts that listen to Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moses and the children of Israel strike Sihon and Og east of the Jordan. Moses gives their land to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh. West of the Jordan, Joshua and the children of Israel strike kings and Joshua gives the land to Israel's tribes. The places include hills, lowlands and wilderness. The list of kings west of the river ends with thirty-one.

As you read Joshua 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD kept His promise to give Israel the land, even over thirty-one kings.

Joshua 12 closes the story of the war by listing the kings Israel struck (verse 1). East of the Jordan, Moses and Israel struck Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan (verses 2 to 6). Moses gave that land to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh (verse 6). West of the Jordan, Joshua and Israel struck the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites and others (verses 7 and 8). The list names thirty-one kings, from the king of Jericho to the king of Tirzah (verses 9 to 24). Joshua gave their land to the tribes of Israel as a possession, according to their divisions (verse 7). Joshua 10 says the LORD fought for Israel (verse 42). Joshua 11 says Joshua took the land as the LORD spoke to Moses (verse 23). Long before, God had promised this land to the family of Abraham (Genesis 15 verse 18).

How does Joshua 12 show us that the LORD kept His promise to give Israel the land, even over thirty-one kings?

Israel receives land east of the Jordan.

Moses and Israel struck Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan (verses 2 to 6). Their land ran from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon (verse 1). Moses gave it as a possession to the Reubenites, the Gadites and half of Manasseh (verse 6).

Israel receives land west of the Jordan.

Joshua and Israel struck thirty-one kings in all, from the king of Jericho to the king of Tirzah (verses 9 to 24). Joshua gave the land to the tribes of Israel, according to their divisions (verse 7). God had promised this land to the family of Abraham (Genesis 15 verse 18). Paul wrote that every promise of God finds its Yes in Christ (2 Corinthians 1 verse 20).

Memorise

These are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the children of Israel struck beyond the Jordan westward

Joshua 12:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting instead of Jesus to save me from sin?

Joshua 12 lists the kings Israel struck, one after another, from the king of Jericho to the king of Tirzah. The list shows that the LORD kept the promise He made to the family of Abraham. Paul wrote that every promise of God finds its Yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1 verse 20).

The greatest promise of God was a Savior for sinners from every nation. At the cross Jesus died for His people, and that payment cannot be undone. He rose again, and He lives for ever.

So turn from your sin and trust Jesus Christ. Come to Him, and every promise of God will be yours in Him. Forgiveness is given to all who believe in Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD kept His promise to give Israel the land, and that God's promises are Yes in Jesus. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Give thanks for God's victories and gifts, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so please allow each one to offer a short prayer if they wish.

For he has delivered me out of all trouble. My eye has seen triumph over my enemies.

Psalm 54:7

Almighty God, thank You for the victories You gave Israel and for Christ's victory over sin. Please bring each of us to repent and believe in Jesus. When we read these names again, help us remember Your faithfulness. This week, teach us to thank You instead of boasting in ourselves. Amen.