Joshua 12. POSSESSING OUR POSSESSIONS This is a summary of the conquest of the promised land that had such great potential for the children of Israel. The first six verses tell of the conquests and victories under Moses’ leadership on the east side of Jordan. From verse seven through verse twenty-four, we read of the conquests under Joshua’s leadership in the promised land itself on the west side of the Jordan River. Sometimes in our lives, it is good to sit down and reflect on what we have experienced and what has been has been done for us by the grace of God.
With a humble and grateful heart, take time to survey the years past and remember where the grace of God has triumphed. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” [Rom.5:20].
It seems like those on the east of Jordan were not committed to eliminating all of those nations that practiced idol worship and all that was associated with that. They gradually became assimilated into those nations and practices which they should have overcome. Moses was the leader at the time of that conquest. As a type of the law and what it can do for us, it is a reminder that though the law is good and holy in the purpose for which it was given, we cannot hold what we claim by our own resolutions. Our spiritual blessings can only be held when we are in fellowship with the Lord and are guided by the Holy Spirit of God. We do not have the power in our own strength to possess our possessions even with a mighty effort of our own.
To summarize in a fairly simple way: the potential of the 2 ½ tribes on the east side of Jordan who took little part in the national life of Israel was soon lost along with their inheritance. They became absorbed by the nations they were supposed to overcome. Moses, the law-giver, gave land that was ultimately lost to them. Anything we try to keep by the power of our resolution will ultimately slip through our fingers and we will inevitably fail. The deepest blessings of our spiritual life can only be ours in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ. [Eph.1:3].
Joshua 12:1, 7. “Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east: … on the west… which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions;”
POSSESSIONS Is there anything I can really call my own – Anything I’m not borrowing or paying interest on a loan? The ground I walk on certainly belongs to another – The house we built is taxed or we couldn’t even stay there.
The children we claimed as ours – now they are gone. They were ours to nurture and care for until education was done. Actually they came to us as a heritage from God – But really, I hope they’re His in thought and deed and word.
When I was young God gave me a wife of His own choosing – It is approaching 50 years of joy in life we’re sharing So we are one together now but that will end some day – In heaven we are not married – there is a different role to play.
When God gave me life, I became a living soul – When by His grace, I was born again, as a person, I was whole. Now body, soul and spirit live – I’m alive eternally – I, in a sense, possess myself – I am God’s, and I am me.
The things of my life intangible, those are the ones that are real – Not so-called “possessions” that I can touch and taste and feel. But things like hope that’s sure – others I possess by faith – Many God-given possessions are the result of saving grace.
Eternal life – what a possession! Mine at highest cost – It is mine, now and forever – without it I’d be lost – God made it possible for me to possess this great possession – One of many given to me, when Christ’s death made this provision.
In this land of Beulah, I can live in rest and peace – Enjoying my possessions, though this is not my final place. Here in this land of pleasantness while war goes on around – God Himself drove out the enemies, setting me on holy ground.
“Gracious Father, Thy great and bountiful provisions for us has never ceased. Day by day all the unseen blessings from Thee have been given and are experienced with joy. Rest of conscience, peace in life, joy in the Lord, eternal life experienced daily: all these and so many more are mine. I am grateful for these and the temporal benefits Thou dost give as well. I thank Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”