Joshua 12:1-24 – The LORD’s Great Faithfulness

Why do we have a chapter like this? What are we to learn? V1-6 describe the territory of two once-great kings on the East of the Jordan, whose land was now Israel’s. Two and a half tribes were going to settle in that land, but for now they were helping their fellow Israelites with the conquest of the West of the Jordan. The inclusion of these verses may be to guard the unity of God’s people. The ‘East of Jordan’ tribes feared that one day they might be considered as non-Israelite by the western tribes (see 22:21-29). This record reminds Israel: ‘The LORD gave victories east of the Jordan too; don’t forget Israel lives over there as well’.

We can easily think and give the impression that other believers (from other churches or from our own) don’t quite belong: too much or too little money; different personality or taste; messy family circumstances; less Biblical or doctrinal knowledge than the ‘in’ group. V1-6 warn us against this type of divisiveness.

V7-24 may seem monotonous but we are being presented with an itemised account of God’s goodness. It is proof that the LORD’s ancient promise to Abraham – “To your offspring I will give this land” – was being fulfiled. “God was able to do what he had promised” (Rom. 4:21). These verses do not drip with boredom; they tingle with excitement.

The list is specific and detailed. Each conquered king is a sign of the LORD’s power and a cause for Israel’s praise. We should learn to be more detailed and specific in our thanks to God. If we trained ourselves to recognise God’s goodness act by act and detail by detail, we would think more highly of Him and His Church. Much of our discouragement comes from failing to recognise what He has already done. Too often we simply, generally, vaguely say: ‘Thank you for your many, many blessings’. Today, name some instead.