What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Joshua 12:16? Setting the Scene Joshua 12 records the tally of thirty-one kings Israel defeated as they entered the promised land. Each name is a historical reminder that God’s promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:7) and Moses (Deuteronomy 7:1-2) were literally fulfilled. Verse 16 reads, “the king of Makkedah, one.” (Joshua 12:16) A single, almost spare line—yet loaded with truth about God’s sovereign rule. The King of Makkedah: A Snapshot • Makkedah was conquered earlier (Joshua 10:28). • Joshua “put the city and its king to the sword and completely destroyed everyone in it” (Joshua 10:28). • By the time the list in chapter 12 is written, the victory is history—signed, sealed, and remembered. God’s sovereignty is not abstract; it shows up in real geography, real kings, real battles. God’s Sovereignty on Display • Promise-keeping power – What God vowed, He accomplished without exception (Joshua 21:45). • Personal involvement – Each king is listed individually; no enemy is too small for His notice (Matthew 10:29-30). • Total authority over nations – “He does as He pleases with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth” (Daniel 4:35). • Irresistible victory – “The battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). Not one king, including the ruler of Makkedah, could stand. • Faithful leadership – God guided Joshua step by step (Joshua 1:9), proving that His sovereignty works through obedient servants. Connecting the Dots with Other Scriptures • Deuteronomy 7:1-2—the conquest was foretold before Israel crossed the Jordan. • Psalm 115:3—“Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.” • Romans 8:31—“If God is for us, who can be against us?” • Ephesians 1:11—He “works out everything according to the counsel of His will.” These passages echo the same theme: nothing and no one can thwart God’s purposes. Living Under the Same Sovereign Hand • Confidence—Because God ruled over Makkedah, He rules over today’s challenges. • Obedience—Joshua followed God’s commands precisely; so should we (John 14:15). • Worship—Every victory is God’s, not ours. Give Him the credit (Psalm 115:1). • Rest—Sovereignty means we can trade anxiety for trust (Philippians 4:6-7). • Hope—Just as Canaan’s kings fell, every force opposed to Christ will ultimately bow (Revelation 19:16). The brief mention of “the king of Makkedah, one” is more than a historical footnote; it is a timeless witness that the Lord reigns—then, now, and forever. |
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