RPG Adults
THE FIRST PHASE OF CONQUEST WON BY ISRAEL
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Joshua 12
Psalm 138
“The LORD will perfect
that which concerneth me…”
THE FIRST PHASE OF CONQUEST WON BY ISRAEL
The move of Sihon gave opportunity to Moses to demonstrate that God was going to fight for them even in the conquest of Canaan proper. This also gave Moses the honour of initiating the war that would fulfil the promise of God to his people. Moses knew that he was not going to cross from Jordan into Canaan with Israel, but God guided him while he was still the leader of Israel.
The conquest of Sihon was an acid test, so to speak, for the children of Israel. God wanted to show them, while Moses was still alive, that His promise to them would come to pass. The boundaries of His land covered a large area. As strong as Sihon was, God delivered him into the hand of Israel. The land east of Jordan became the first phase in the territory that Israel occupied. Some of the tribes of Israel had an interest in making that land their permanent habitation.
It was Joshua who was tasked to subdivide the land to the tribes of Israel after conquering all the kings of Canaan. Therefore, the occupation of the land east of Jordan under Moses was in a way a lesson to Joshua, for he had a greater task ahead of him. These featured the messengers of God in action, and the hand of God in word and action was there to help to fulfil their assignment.
Moses conquered Og, king of Bashan and his land. This was another kingdom that had a large territory and its king was also a mighty king. Again, it would have been easy for Og to defeat Israel, but God was the strength of Israel. The text describes that land of Bashan and its king as of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei. It extended to Hermon, Salcah and all Bashan.
THOUGHT: God has appointed everyone’s dwelling place.
PRAYER: Father, grant me satisfaction with what I possess.