Joshua Chapter 12
Chapter 12 is not meant to be a comparison of Moses vs. Joshua. It is not comparing how many kings each man conquered. It is, however, a historical record of how God promised to do what He said He was going to do, and that was to deliver the promised land to the Israelites.
This list also shows the territory that would belong to the Israelites as a united homeland of both the east and west sides of the Jordan River. The land that was conquered during the time of Moses lay on the east side of the Jordan and the on the west side all the way to the sea was the land conquered during the time of Joshua’s leadership. These were real places and battles where God gave the victory. This land belongs to the people of Israel because God gave it to them as their inheritance.
Let's Reflect
1. Look back at Numbers 13:1-2 What did God say He was going to do for Israel?
2. Read Numbers 13:27-29 which is the report that the spies brought back to the people. What groups of people were the spies afraid of?
3. Compare the list you made in answering question 2, to the list of conquered groups of people listed in this chapter. Did God give them victory over the people their parents said were invincible? See especially verses 8 and 9.
4. God had given victory on the east side of the Jordan under the leadership of Moses to possess enough land that there were two tribes of Israel and half the tribe of Manasseh would live on that side. According to verse 6 what were the names of the other two Israelite tribes that would occupy the land on the east side?
5. The remainder of the 12 tribes of Israel would live on the west side of the Jordan including the other half of the tribe of Manasseh. Does reading this fulfillment of God’s promises help bolster your faith?
