Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 85 of The Bible in a Year podcast, reading from Joshua chapters 12-14 and Psalm 129 using The Bible in the Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition. He specifically references The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press for its helpful timeline and summaries during the conquest period.

The episode covers the comprehensive list of 31 defeated kings, the distribution of land to the tribes east of Jordan, and Caleb's remarkable request for his inheritance at age 85. Father Mike addresses the difficult theological questions surrounding the conquest narratives, explaining the moral context and literary techniques used in these accounts.

The discussion focuses on three key aspects: the moral corruption of the Canaanites that necessitated judgment, the hyperbolic nature of the destruction language, and God's ultimate plan for unity rather than division among peoples.

Complete Catalog of Conquered Kings and Territories

Joshua 12 provides a comprehensive military record: 31 kings defeated in total, including major victories at Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, and Hebron

The eastern territories were already distributed by Moses to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, spanning from Arnon valley to Mount Hermon

Despite extensive conquests, 'there remains yet very much land to be possessed' - God acknowledges the incomplete nature of the conquest

Caleb's Extraordinary Faith at 85 Years Old

'I am still as strong to this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me. My strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming' - Caleb

Caleb requests the hill country with Anakim giants and fortified cities, demonstrating unwavering faith after 45 years since the original spy mission

Joshua grants Hebron to Caleb 'because he wholly followed the LORD the God of Israel' - a reward for complete faithfulness

Understanding the Moral Context of Conquest

The Canaanites practiced extreme moral corruption including sexual perversions detailed in Leviticus 18 and child sacrifice mentioned in Deuteronomy 12

God's judgment was necessary because 'if they're going to live as God's holy people, then God knows that they're not going to be able to live among a people that they'd be so tempted to live as' - Father Mike

This was 'not part of God's original plan' which was 'harmony in ourselves, harmony with each other, and harmony with God' - Father Mike

Biblical Hyperbole and Literary Interpretation

The 'destroy everyone' language is hyperbole - Deuteronomy 7 commands destruction but also warns against marrying or doing business with survivors

Joshua 10 claims 'leave no survivors' but Joshua 15 mentions people still living in the same cities, revealing the exaggerated nature of the language

Deuteronomy 20 reveals this as 'a limited engagement' specific to Canaan, not a model for ongoing warfare against other nations

God's Ultimate Plan for Unity

'God's desire is not division among people. God's desire is not the destruction of people, but God's desire is the reconciliation and union of all people' - Father Mike

The prophecy promises people will 'come from north and south and east and west' to respond to God's blessing and presence

'We are not divided but united, that we're not fighting against each other, but we are fighting for each other' - Father Mike's application for today