31 Flavors
The Conquered Kings
When you grew up in a rural setting, “going to town” became a kind of mini-vacation. There were possibilities of adventure each time we loaded into the car. One favorite was the possibility of Baskin Robbins. Not even sure that exists any longer, but in the day, it was the best ice cream shop around. Famous for its “31 Flavors,” a stop there made the journey a success. Fortunately for my sister and me as little kids, our dad’s sweet tooth made him easy to sweet-talk into stopping on the way home.
The feeling of walking into that store and up to the long glass display of colors and tastes is still real. As you read the flavor choices, you could feel a physical reaction of indifference, disgust, or excitement. Free to choose any flavor, we read off all the names out loud, always with the option to taste-test each one, or as many as parental patience would allow. Eventually you settled on a choice, found comfort in that choice, and it became your usual. It remains a core memory, 31 flavors.
This memory popped into my head the other day when I was in a random conversation (as if that even exists) with a friend about what we were seeing and hearing from The Lord, she mentioned she had been in the book of Joshua. It is the book that documents Israel’s move from the wilderness into the Promised Land. Moses is dead, and Joshua is now in charge. Chapter 12 notes the cities and their kings that Joshua conquered as the people of Israel staked claim to their inheritance. She mentioned that in the commentary; the translator had explained in a footnote about these Kings/Cities that, (I’m quoting the commentary now,) “The meaning of the names of the principalities of these thirty-one kings could represent thirty-one strongholds that dull our understanding of the finished work of Christ for us.” (ENTIRE LIST BELOW)
THIRTY-ONE!
I immediately thought of my ice-cream memory – kind of like a negative metaphor. I’d much rather contemplate what flavor of ice cream I want to encounter than consider what strongholds in my life I need to confront. But the metaphor fits the season.
The Lord led Joshua to victory for the sake of Israel, as promised. As a matter-of-fact Joshua 21:45 says, “YAHWEH didn’t break a single promise that he made to the people of Israel. He faithfully kept every promise he made to them.” TPT. Because God was faithful and Joshua obeyed, they conquered thirty-one opposing structures.
Thirty-One!
Those promises that were made to God’s people back then are the same promises we live in our faith journey today. Israel’s Joshua is our Jesus. In the book of Joshua it says after crossing from the wilderness through the Jordan river, Israel put their foot onto the dry ground of the Promised Land on the 10th day of Nisan. We call that day “Palm Sunday.” The same day that Christ took his steps toward the events that would kill him. He was securing our freedom. His victory over death, hell, and the grave is our promised land. We are amid celebrating that this most Holy Week, but celebrating it once a year as a calendar obligation and living in it at depth are two entirely different things.
Maybe as you peruse this list, you see that, like a physical reaction to ice-cream flavors, some of these bring feelings of indifference, some may sound disgusting, while others you are all too familiar with. Maybe some of these have become where you have settled, your usual. It’s time to be free of whatever stronghold has you captured, no better time to nail it to the cross. It’s time for pressing in!
This is the week to spend time with Him in His word, and by His Spirit, and look at the 31 kings you have victory over and, with the leading of a most loving father by your side, conquer that thing once and for all.
1. King of Jericho, (walls, impossibilities, limitations)
2. King of Ai near Bethel (The world system)
3. King of Jerusalem (Counterfeit spirituality)
4. King of Hebron (Broken fellowship with God)
5. King of Jarmuth (Pride and arrogance)
6. King of Lachish (Human ingenuity)
7. King of Eglon (Human arguments and oratory)
8. King of Gezer (Sharp tongue, stinging words)
9. King of Debir (Political spirit)
10. King of Geder (Defensiveness)
11. King of Hormah (Defeat, depression)
12. King of Arad (Rebellions, lawlessness)
13. King of Libnah (Self-righteousness, hypocrisy)
14. King of Adullam (Approval of others, insecurity)
15. King of Makkedah (False shepherds, selfish leadership)
16. King of Bethel (Religious spirit)
17. King of Tappuah (Drunkenness)
18. King of Hepher (Shame, condemnation)
19. King of Aphek (Self-sufficiency)
20. King of Lasharon (Complacency, passivity)
21. King of Madon (Strife, contention (divisive, argumentative)
22. King of Hazor (Human wisdom, the mind of man)
23. King of Shimron Meron (Traditions, prideful opinions)
24. King of Achshaph (Occult & Witchcraft)
25. King of Taanach (Soulish, double, mindedness )
26. King of Megiddo (Distractions, anxiety)
27. King of Kedesh (Man-made holiness standards)
28. King of Jokneam in Carmel (Celebrity worship)
29. King of Dor on the coast (Worldly comfort)
30. King of Goyim in Galilee (Dull of heart, refusing to change, going nowhere)
31. King of Tirzah (Loving worldly pleasures more than loving God)*
*Scripture quotations market TPT are from The Passion Translation, “Joshua, Judges, and Ruth: Courage to Conquer.” Page 38. Copyright © 2021 by Passion & Fir Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com. BroadStreetPublishing.com
On this most Holy Week, may God challenge your faith to reveal a new level of who He is for you. The Great I AM delights in you, and faithfully keeps every promise.
It’s time to live the life that Christ died for, not just the flavor you have grown comfortable with. We are not meant to live in strongholds in this life, we, as believers, have the key to freedom. It is the cross.
It’s time to conquer your giants!
For Freedom’s sake Christ set you free! (Galatians 5:1)
It Is Finished! (John 19, Psalm 22)
Happy Passover
Happy Resurrection Day
To God be all the Glory
Kammy