What does Joshua 12:15 teach about God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms? The Snapshot in Joshua 12:15 “the king of Libnah—one, the king of Adullam—one” Why This Simple Line Matters • God is counting kings—literally naming and numbering each one. • Each dash (“—one”) underscores that every ruler, no matter how small his realm, rises and falls at God’s decree. • In a chapter that totals thirty-one defeated kings, verse 15 reminds us that no kingdom—even Libnah’s or Adullam’s—sits outside His reach. God’s Sovereignty Highlighted • He ordains victories: Israel’s triumphs occur because He promised the land (Joshua 1:2-3). • He limits reigns: once their allotted time ends, kings of Libnah and Adullam are removed. • He records history: Scripture’s precise record shows God both acting and preserving the account. Echoes Throughout Scripture • Daniel 2:21 — “He removes kings and establishes them.” • Psalm 47:2-3 — “For the LORD Most High is awesome... He subdues peoples under us.” • Isaiah 40:23 — “He brings princes to nothing.” • Acts 17:26 — God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” • Proverbs 21:1 — “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD.” What This Means for Us Today • National headlines may shift, but God never relinquishes control. • No authority figure—local or global—can stand outside His sovereign plan. • Believers can rest and act confidently, knowing the same God who numbered ancient kings still governs modern leaders. Bottom Line Joshua 12:15, though brief, quietly but powerfully testifies that every earthly kingdom is subject to the rule, timing, and purpose of the living God. |
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