Joshua 15
-As the inheritance portions continue, Judah’s borders are
explained with great detail in the text. Their land, established by lot,
stretched all the way from Edom’s border in the east to the wilderness of Zin
at the “extreme” south over to the coastal areas in the west and on up to the
northern extremities at the stone of Bohan, the son of Reuben, and over towards
Gilgal. This was the border of Judah according to their families with many
cities and villages (Joshua 15:1-12). Caleb was given Kiriath-arba (Arba named
after the father of Anak), otherwise known as Hebren (see last chapter for more
info). Caleb was responsible for driving out the three fierce sons of Anak:
Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. After this Caleb went up against the inhabitants
of Debir, otherwise formly known as Kiriath-sepher. In this conquest Caleb
said, “The one who attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give him
Achsah, my daughter, as a wife.” Othniel proved to be that valiant man and
received Achsah as his wife according to the word of Caleb. In due time Achsah
asked her father for a blessing in their land of the Negev. She, along with her
family, wanted to have springs of water in this dry and thirsty land. Caleb obliged
and gave them the upper and lower springs (Joshua 15:13-19). The rest of the
chapter delineates each of the cities and sections of Judah one by one. Of
interesting note, the chapter ends with the fact that the Jebusites, who
inhabited Jerusalem, could not be totally driven out by the sons of Judah.
Therefore, by the time of the writing of this book, they remained at Jerusalem
among the sons of Judah (Joshua 15:20-63). Not until the time of David was
Jerusalem truly established as a Hebrew stronghold (2 Samuel 5:6-10, 1
Chronicles 11:4-9).
-*Application* Othniel became Israel’s first judge after the
death of Joshua playing an important role in protecting and reforming Israel by
chasing away yet another oppressive enemy. He brought peace back to the land as
a legacy of Caleb’s faithfulness and courage in the next generation (Judges
1:13; 3:9-11). Caleb ends up being better than Joshua at passing the torch to
the next generation by raising up quality people within his family unit (Judges
1:1-2). How intentional are we in making sure that those who will follow us in
our land have the fortitude and moxy to stand for righteousness? Be like Caleb,
invest in the next generation with blessing after blessing.
Verse to Memorize:
Joshua 15:12
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