Joshua 12:1-6. Chapter 12 is a summary of the war to take over the promised land.  The chapter starts by retelling the taking of land east of the Jordan River.  This land was taken over by Moses and given to the tribes of Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Manasseh.

It is important to remember, as we review the conquest of the promised land, several things.  First the inhabitants of the land were not living for God.  In fact they had turned their hearts to things that really aren’t gods at all (Isaiah 44:9-17).  In contrast to their idols that were deaf and mute and impotent and had a beginning the Israelites honored Yahweh, I AM, the always existing one (Exodus 3:14).  And during the over five years covered in this summary Yahweh had acted.  Second disregarding God has consequences.  The ultimate consequence is eternal separation from God, spiritual death forever.  Physical death is reminder of the situation we are all in.  Ecclesiastes 12:6-7 encourage us to remember God before we die.  When we die our bodies turn to dust and our spirit returns to God.  “Cool”, you may say, but Hebrews 9:27 tells us that it is “Appointed for men to die once, then they will be judged.”  It cool to have your spirit return to God if your sins have been dealt with, otherwise, not so fun (Read Revelation 19-20.  Also check out “The Old Testament Connection”).  Physical death is a temporary tragedy for those who are trusting God for their eternal existence (Job 19:26-28; 1 Corinthians 15:51-55).  For those who are not trusting in and honoring the one true God it is minor compared with eternity without God.  Third, we must remember that it was not god’s perfect and best plan that men should die.  His best and perfect plan was for us to live as friends (with Him) forever in a universe created for us (Genesis 2-3, Revelation 21-22.  See also Luke 23:43 and Revelation 2:7).  God doesn’t want any to perish but all of us to return (2 Peter 3:9).  Which leads to the fourth point.  We perish not because of God’s will but because of our own.  He gives us choices and we choose badly.  In a similar way the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites chose badly. In most of the battles the inhabitants started the aggression.  That was certainly true of the major conflicts in the south and the north.  And it was especially true of the conquests on the eastern side of the Jordan River by Moses.  Moses had actually asked to pass peacefully and the kings denied passage and came out to fight (Deuteronomy 2:24-3:12).

As we read these few verses we should be reminded that God is faithful.  He is faithful to His character that included purity, love, and justice.  He is also faithful to his promises.  He promised the land to certain descendants of Abraham and He gave it to them.  He was also faithful to Joshua.  Here we see Moses’ victories.  Tomorrow we will see Joshua’s.  We also see God as powerful and active.  Moses was able to take over an area 150 mile by about 30 miles that was inhabited by some fierce dudes.  Some of the inhabitants were Rephaim, a numerous, large, and powerful people similar to the Anakim (Deuteronomy 2:20-21).  We need to remember these things about God because they are as true to day as they were 3400 years ago.  Lord thank you for the opportunity to turn back to you.  Thank you for your faithfulness.  Thank you for being loving and patient as well as just.  Thank you for Jesus who paid the price and provided the way to have a renewed relationship with you.  We all face death but after that the path forks.  Help many people make the wise choice.  Help me show the way.