Joshua chapter 12 is the mid-point of the Book. Yes, it contains 24 chapters.
And it, chapter 12, is pure history!
The scoffers would wrongly say, “pure legend!”
It’s almost as if Joshua kept a daily “journal!”
Each battle, just as well say, each victory is precisely recorded.
Or at least listed!
As in verse 1: “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 …” Then follow two well-known names, Sihon and Og. (“Sihon” means “warrior! And “Og” means “long necked,” with lots of vanity and pride to accompany it, one supposes!)
Verse 7 continues: “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 …” And here are dozens of names, all triumphs for Israel!
Wow!
But what’s the point of all this?
Partly to prove the historical and geographical accuracy of the Bible, perhaps.
But undoubtedly, to teach us a lesson!
That being?
When God sends you a victory … record it!
Write it down somewhere!
Make a list!
And leave such a book (maybe books) for your children and grandchildren too, after you die and go to Heaven!
Your personal testimony … that God keeps His Word!
A documented validation of God being real in your life!
Paul must have done this, once cataloging the many deliverances God had sent his way! “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily …” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
My list may not be as dramatic, but it can be every bit as personal, sincere, genuine!
Lesson over!
Go buy a notebook, then get busy recording, writing, listing!
And I promise, you’ll end up praising too!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
By the way, once your list is underway … anytime you get discouraged … go read that thing yourself! It will uplift you! Considering God’s “works” in your life! God’s Faithfulness!