RPG Adults
MOSES WAS THE PIONEER OF THE CONQUEST
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Joshua 12
Numbers 21:21-32
“Thus Israel dwelt
in the land of the Amorites.”
MOSES WAS THE PIONEER OF THE CONQUEST
Joshua and Israel were able to conquer all the land that God had promised to give them. Moses had conquered two kings in the expansive land of Moab beyond Jordan and had given the land to Israel. Joshua was tasked to capture Canaan proper. He was able to conquer thirty-one cities in total, from Jericho to Tirzah. In this, God fulfilled what He had promised to Israel. The last verse of Joshua 11 says that the land rested from war. This was logical because Israel had already fulfilled God’s mandate. It was now left to Joshua to go to the next phase of settling Israel in the acquired land. It had taken forty years for Israel to reach that land.
The following is a summary of that conquest.
The king of Hesbon, who was smitten by Moses and had his land east of Jordan taken, was the first casualty. It happened before the death of Moses and before Joshua became the leader of Israel. This was the record of that conquest by Moses: “And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. And Israel took all these cities…”
(Num 21:23-25).
Their king was Sihon who had expanded his territory far and wide. He was a mighty king and was unchallenged by other nations. He felt that he was strong enough to fight Israel. He attacked Israel without any provocation. He acted the same way as Balak who had hired Balaam to curse Israel.
THOUGHT: God gives wisdom and ability to fulfil His will.
PRAYER: Father, give me the grace and ability to fulfil my spiritual duties to Thee.