Who Can Stand?

GETTING STARTED

Between the two points of when something is promised and when something is delivered, many things can happen. In the previous passage of Joshua, God made good on a promise that he made generations before to Israel. Today we see more of that “deliverable” made to Israel. Noticeably missing in today’s passage, however, is the name of the person God had used so many times to lead Israel in this journey. Within the span of a paragraph, Joshua’s name replaces Moses’. But, no matter who was leading the people, God’s purpose and power remained faithfully the same.

When there’s a change in power (for example, in a presidential administration), do things usually stay the same?

What kind of upheaval in the purposes and plans of the predecessor does it usually cause?

READ THE WORD: JOSHUA 12:7-24 (ESV)

⁷And these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the people of Israel defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, that rises toward Seir (and Joshua gave their land to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their allotments, ⁸in the hill country, in the lowland, in the Arabah, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the Negeb, the land of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites): ⁹the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; ¹⁰the king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; ¹¹the king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; ¹²the king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; ¹³the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; ¹⁴the king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; ¹⁵the king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; ¹⁶the king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; ¹⁷the king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; ¹⁸the king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; ¹⁹the king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; ²⁰the king of Shimron-meron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; ²¹the king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; ²²the king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam in Carmel, one; ²³the king of Dor in Naphath-dor, one; the king of Goiim in Galilee, one; ²⁴the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings.

DIGGING DEEPER

If God told Israel that he would give them the land of Canaan (Ex. 6:6-8), then why did they need to fight for it?
Joshua 12:1-6 recounts the kings defeated by Moses in order to take possession of their land. Today’s verses tell of the kings that Joshua defeated. What importance do you think there is for letting the reader know that both leaders played a part in taking the Promised Land?
Who of Israel’s enemies, as listed in the above passage, was able to stand against Israel and the Lord?
What enemies, or troubles, lie before you today? What difference does it make to know that if our God is for us, then none can stand against us?

RESPOND TO GOD

Thirty-one kings were defeated by Israel in order to take possession of the Promised Land west of the Jordan River. These were leaders and people of power, influence, and might, yet none could stand before Israel. Though Moses, and then Joshua, was in command, it was really the Lord who was leading his chosen people and providing their inheritance. God had gone before the Israelites to make a way, just he has gone before us by sending his son. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, he has dismantled the penalty and power of sin and, one day, its presence. He has forever defeated our ultimate enemy of death. Take heart that your God is the same age-to-age—he fights for you, and none can stand before him.

“The Lord is the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1).
Meditate on this verse and thank the Lord for its comforting truths.