33 kings

 Christ in all the scriptures

Total victory    Joshua chapter 12

The conquest of Canaan was complete, and this chapter summarises the kings of the land who were exterminated on both sides of the Jordan.  There were 33 in all, two in the east and 31 in the west of Jordan.  It is thought this took approximately 7 years. It was a remarkable achievement indeed against armies much stronger than they.  No doubt it points to the great spiritual victories of Christ against sin and Satan on the cross, and the re-possession of earth during the seven year period yet future.  Joshua succeeded because the Lord was with him.  This is a reminder that God is a "man of war", as in the song of victory in Exodus 15v3.  Other scriptures reveal that God will fight for His honour, and for His people.  He is the Lord of hosts who commands great armies in heaven and earth, and who will prevail in every situation-refer Deuteronomy 32v41-43; Psalm 7v11-13; Isaiah 42v13-14.  

The biblical perspective is that this is Satan's world, by deception in Eden, and controlled by him in the most part, with restraining forces from above preventing global disaster.  Referring to the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them, he said to Christ in the temptation, "That is delivered to me, and to whomsoever I will I give it", and Christ did not rebuke him-Luke 4v6.  Jesus described him as "the Prince of this world"...refer John12v31;14v20;16v11.  Paul described him as "the God of this world, who has blinded the minds of them that believe not"-2nd Corinthians 4v4; and the "Prince of the power of the air" who designs the trends of the world to control the thoughts and practices of the ungodly. It was Satan who created Canaanite idolatry and immorality.  The fight against evil found its climax in the crucifixion of Christ.  The number 33 is significant, for Jesus was 33 years old when He battled the forces of evil at Calvary.  We are all born with 33 vertebrae in our backs, which suggests strength, stability and completion, all of which could describe the issues of the death of Christ.  There are some who suggest that the Hebrew scriptures have 33 separate words for sin.  Certainly DR. Lewis Schafer, in his book on systematic theology, points out 33 riches of grace bestowed on the believer through the death of Christ.  The New Testament is explicit concerning the mission of Jesus.  "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil"-1st John 3v8.  He took part in flesh and blood (He became a man), that "through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage"-Hebrews 2v14-15.  Paul wrote in Colossians 2v15, that on the cross, Christ "spoiled principalities and powers, making a shew of them openly, and triumphing over them in it".  The victory of the battles of Moses and Joshua was a miniature of the greatest battle ever fought and the greatest victory won.  The evidence is stated in His ascension back to glory..."God raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenlies, far above every principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but in that which is to come: and has put all things under His feet..."-Ephesians 1v20-22.  What is that but total victory??  The universe awaits the formality of Christ's return in total dominion.  He says the same in Ephesians 4v8, "Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He LED CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE! and gave gifts unto men".   The demon hosts that rule this world in evil, are defeated, and Christ will come to take His place.  Upon His ascension to the throne He gave His people gifts, the inheritance for every believer.  This is the subject matter that spans Joshua chapters 13-21, and we will look at the spiritual teaching there in days to come.  We have those gifts in part now, there is much more to come. 

Moses and Joshua deposed 33 kings.  Since then there have been thousands of kings and lords.  There is only one King of kings and Lord of lords, and, soon "the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever-"-Revelation 11v15.