“And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei,”
Context: The book of Joshua records the account of the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. In chapter 12, a summary is provided of the kings whom the Israelites defeated and the territories they conquered on both sides of the Jordan River. Verse 4 specifically mentions Og, the king of Bashan, and the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei.
Historical Background: Og was one of the last remaining giants, descendants of the Nephilim (mentioned in Genesis 6:4), who lived in the region of Bashan. The conquest of Og’s land was a significant victory for the Israelites as they continued to establish their presence in the land of Canaan.
Significance of Og: Og’s stature as a giant symbolizes the formidable opposition the Israelites faced in their conquest of the land. However, God’s promise to give the land to the Israelites (Genesis 15:18-21) remained steadfast, and the defeat of Og demonstrated God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises.
Ashtaroth and Edrei: Ashtaroth and Edrei were two prominent cities within the territory ruled by Og. Ashtaroth was a significant center for the worship of the Canaanite goddess Ashtoreth, while Edrei was a fortified city. The mention of these cities highlights the strategic importance of the region and the conquest of these strongholds by the Israelites.
Spiritual Lessons:
- Trust in God’s Promises: Just as God promised the land to the Israelites, He remains faithful to His promises today. We can trust in God’s faithfulness, knowing that He will fulfill His Word in our lives.
- Overcoming Giants: The giants in the Bible represent the challenges and obstacles we face in life. Just as the Israelites conquered Og and the giants of Bashan, we can find encouragement to face our own “giants” with confidence, knowing that God is with us and empowers us to overcome.
- Conquering Strongholds: Ashtaroth and Edrei were strongholds that needed to be defeated for the Israelites to possess the land fully. In our spiritual journey, we may encounter personal strongholds, such as addictions or negative habits. Through the power of God, we can conquer these strongholds and experience true freedom.
In summary, Joshua 12:4 highlights the victory of the Israelites over Og, the king of Bashan, and the cities of Ashtaroth and Edrei. This passage encourages us to trust in God’s promises, face our challenges with faith, and rely on God’s strength to conquer the strongholds in our lives.
