Joshua 12:7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir;which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; :8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:
We left Chapter 8 and came directly to chapter 12. The reason for this is because we started our devotions in chapter 9 and went up to chapter 11. Once we reach chapter 11 went went back to the beginning of the book. If you didn't have a chance to read the devotions from chapter 9-11 you can find them here: https://www.besorbaptistentebbe.com/blog
Chapter 12 is the list of victories that Joshua and the children of Israel had in there military campaign from Joshua 6 to Joshua 11. It also gives account of the victory and land acquired by The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half the tribe of Manasseh on the wilderness side of Jordan. Let me say as well, when i'm skipping verses in our study i would encourage you to read along in the chapters to get a broader idea and scope of the events that are taking place.
The thing that I want to notice briefly today is the inheritance that the children of Israel received The first blessing is that they did in fact receive an inheritance. Let's not forget the reason why they were fighting because I can assure you they didn't. I imagine the conversations around the camp fires at night were that not of war, their days were consumed with that, but of what they were going to do after the war. Where they wanted to settle down or how they could finally be a rest and not wandering about in a strange land day by day. For the vast majority they were fighting for their families to have a better life for stability and I can promise you they didn't go long without thinking of the day the fight would be over and they would reach a place of rest. For the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh they already had their resting place given to them on the other side Jordan and they weren't fighting for a inheritance but from and inheritance. Their families had a place of stability they had homes and lands and all else that they needed on the other side of the water but they fought not for their inheritance but their brothers inheritance. They could rest at night knowing that they were there enjoying their inheritance while their brother fought and died for the things they were already enjoying.
Now whether you were of the ones having an inheritance or of the ones not, they were all fighting because their God and their captain commanded it. Imagine what a coward you would have been to stay behind while every other able bodied man fought for God and the promised inheritance. Sadly, today our churches are filled with men that wouldn't so much as lift a finger for the sake of the Gospel or God. Let us be reminded of what we are fighting for in the conquest of our Canaan. Our God and our savior commands it. The scriptures have made no excuses for the coward or sloth when it comes to service of God. Be reminded that you don't read about idle people in the work of God. Remember who your fighting for and also what your fighting for. Many Christians act as if they have nothing to gain from this warfare we find our self in. What a misconception this is! Not only do we benefit from this warfare eternally but also in this life as well. If we don't have the nicest house or car or bank account we have things that this world is striving so hard to find. Things like joy, peace, contentment, a clean conscience. There is no better life to live than the one lived for Christ. I'd argue that if there was no heaven or no hell and the only life that we had was the one we are presently living, it would still be foolish to forsake Christ because of the present help I've received in His service. Now consider this if the present love and fulfillment we receive is so wonderful imagine now the help that we shall receive in the life to come. When I consider that help I can face the darkest trial, I can enter into the heat of the battle with our very life in the balance because of the Inheritance we have waiting for us on the other side of the battle. Christian soldier, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him!! Don't forget that we aren't fighting for nothing but for something we've never had. This generation of Israelites had never known what it was to settle down and have a place to call home, it was only a dream or better said like this, faith. It was faith, they never had what they were fighting for but they believed it because God said it. Don't forget why your fighting or what your fighting for. Friend I've never seen heaven, I don't know what it is like to be sinless, I don't know what it's like to be in a place where there is no sickness, shame, sin or sorrow but one day I will. Don't forget that their is an inheritance won by our savior and we aren't of the ones fighting for an inheritance but fighting from an inheritance. Jesus has already won that inheritance and He has made us joint heirs with Christ!
In the Israelite's down time I think their mind would drift to the day when the battle was over and they could settle down with their family and finally be at peace and that thought would be enough for them to pick up the sword and shield and face another battle. Christian soldier, consider now the inheritance that God has for us, that will be enough for you to pick up the blood stained banner and march toward the battle not with fear but with zeal and hope and faith. Israel's zeal was rooted in the promises of God and in Chapter 12 their faith becomes sight. It won't be long now we are going to reach a place where faith becomes sight and the zeal we need is rooted in the promises of His Word and the Hope that is to come.
Beulah Land, I'm Longing for you!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!