How does Joshua 12:5 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? Context: A Verse Amid a List of Victories “ He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all Bashan as far as the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and half of Gilead to the border of Sihon king of Heshbon.” (Joshua 12:5) Promises Made Long Before • Genesis 15:18-21—God promised Abraham territory that included the lands of the Rephaim, whose last great king was Og of Bashan. • Deuteronomy 3:2—God told Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him…into your hand.” • Joshua 1:2-4—God repeated to Joshua that “every place the sole of your foot treads” would be theirs, specifying borders that reach to Mount Lebanon and beyond. Ways Joshua 12:5 Showcases God’s Faithfulness 1. Specificity of Fulfillment – The verse names Mount Hermon, Salecah, Bashan, and half of Gilead—exact places first cited in earlier promises (Genesis 15:20; Deuteronomy 3:8-10). – God fulfilled His word down to precise borders, not merely in broad strokes. 2. Completion of Earlier Victories – Israel had already defeated Og in Numbers 21:33-35; Joshua 12:5 confirms the land really is theirs. – What God begins, He finishes (Philippians 1:6). 3. Extent of the Promised Land – Verse 5 represents the northern reach of Israel’s inheritance; verses 7-8 list the southern. – From “the wilderness to Lebanon” (Joshua 1:4), God covered every mile He said He would. 4. Overcoming “Impossible” Foes – Og’s iron bed (Deuteronomy 3:11) symbolized invincible power. Joshua 12:5 records its overturning, showing no promise is hindered by human strength (Jeremiah 32:27). Personal Takeaways • God’s promises are as unbreakable today as they were at Bashan. • Delays never equal denial; decades passed between Abraham’s promise and Joshua 12:5. • When God sets boundaries for blessing, He alone secures them—our role is obedient trust (Proverbs 3:5-6). |
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