Reading
SAA Notes
Joshua defeats all the kings of Canaan. Jesus is pictured in Revelation 19:11-21 as doing something similar but on a cosmic scale. The proclamation of the Bible is that God’s Christ will prevail! This is a message of hope that we take by faith, so that we may find strength to live as a Christian should.
SJA Notes
Thirty-one kings! Defeated and destroyed, removed from the face of the earth.
In the previous reading we read of the five kings who came against the Lord, Joshua and Israel.
Five-to-one odds (probable ratios based on the leaders) is pretty steep. And the Lord acted mightily, rocks from the heavens raining down in a supernatural display of power.
But those odds feel like a warm-up with respect to this passage today.
Word got around and the other nations amassed a great horde of warriors, like the sand of the seashore.
Sometimes we go through hard times, some battle in our lives, only to come out the other side and face an even bigger situation.
This passage is a good and healthy reminder of God’s sovereign power and majesty as He works in our lives. Power to do what He says He will. Majesty to draw our thoughts to Him. More of Him, less of us.
Joshua and Israel here have the backing of the living God. All of their enemies here are defeated, most of them completely destroyed.
Thirty-one kings brought low before the Lord God Almighty.
How good is it then to think on Jesus, who is a far better army leader than Joshua, a far better prophet than Moses, a far better king than David – The true king of kings and lord of lords – Who has won for us a victory that nobody else could win.
Death defeated, sin dealt with, the resurrection hope true and sure.
Jesus is our victorious conquering ever-living King – Praise Him!
* God Above,
We read in this passage that such a large army gathered against Your people that like the sand on the seashore.
Sometimes Lord we can feel a bit the same way – That those gathered against us as we live for You in this world are uncountable many.
But Lord, the same is true for us as it was for Joshua and Israel – You are for us! What then are those who are against us!
Thank You Lord for Your mighty power – That You work all things for our good.
Thank You Lord for Your steadfast and faithful love – That You sent Yourself to earth to take the penalty for our sin.
Thank You Lord!
Amen.