Judah receives the allotted boundaries from the war in Canaan, but not all.
Joshua 15: The Allotment for Judah
1 The allotment for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans reached southward to the boundary of Edom, to the wilderness of Zin at the farthest south.
2 And their south boundary ran from the end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that faces southward.
3 It goes out southward of the ascent of Akrabbim, passes along to Zin, and goes up south of Kadesh-barnea, along by Hezron, up to Addar, turns about to Karka,
4 passes along to Azmon, goes out by the Brook of Egypt, and comes to its end at the sea. This shall be your south boundary.
5 And the east boundary is the Salt Sea, to the mouth of the Jordan. And the boundary on the north side runs from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan.
6 And the boundary goes up to Beth-hoglah and passes along north of Beth-arabah. And the boundary goes up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben.
7 And the boundary goes up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, and so northward, turning toward Gilgal, which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south side of the valley. And the boundary passes along to the waters of En-shemesh and ends at En-rogel.
8 Then the boundary goes up by the Valley of the Son of Hinnom at the southern shoulder of the Jebusite (that is, Jerusalem). And the boundary goes up to the top of the mountain that lies over against the Valley of Hinnom, on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim.
9 Then the boundary extends from the top of the mountain to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, and from there to the cities of Mount Ephron. Then the boundary bends around to Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim).
10 And the boundary circles west of Baalah to Mount Seir, passes along to the northern shoulder of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), and goes down to Beth-shemesh and passes along by Timnah.
11 The boundary goes out to the shoulder of the hill north of Ekron, then the boundary bends around to Shikkeron and passes along to Mount Baalah and goes out to Jabneel. Then the boundary comes to an end at the sea.
12 And the west boundary was the Great Sea with its coastline. This is the boundary around the people of Judah according to their clans.
13 According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).
14 And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak, Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.
15 And he went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir. Now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher.
16 And Caleb said, "Whoever strikes Kiriath-sepher and captures it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter as wife."
17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it. And he gave him Achsah his daughter as wife.
18 When she came to him, she urged him to ask her father for a field. And she got off her donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you want?"
19 She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water." And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans.
21 The cities belonging to the tribe of the people of Judah in the extreme south, toward the boundary of Edom, were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur,
22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah,
23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan,
24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth,
25 Hazor-hadattah, Kerioth-hezron (that is, Hazor),
26 Amam, Shema, Moladah,
27 Hazar-gaddah, Heshmon, Beth-pelet,
28 Hazar-shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah,
29 Baalah, Iim, Ezem,
30 Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah,
31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah,
32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon: in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.
33 And in the lowland, Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah,
34 Zanoah, En-gannim, Tappuah, Enam,
35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Socoh, Azekah,
36 Shaaraim, Adithaim, Gederah, Gederothaim: fourteen cities with their villages.
37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal-gad,
38 Dilean, Mizpeh, Joktheel,
39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon,
40 Cabbon, Lahmam, Chitlish,
41 Gederoth, Beth-dagon, Naamah, and Makkedah: sixteen cities with their villages.
42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan,
43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib,
44 Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah: nine cities with their villages.
45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages;
46 from Ekron to the sea, all that were by the side of Ashdod, with their villages.
47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; to the Brook of Egypt, and the Great Sea with its coastline.
48 And in the hill country, Shamir, Jattir, Socoh,
49 Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim,
51 Goshen, Holon, and Giloh: eleven cities with their villages.
52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan,
53 Janim, Beth-tappuah, Aphekah,
54 Humtah, Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior: nine cities with their villages.
55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah,
56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah,
57 Kain, Gibeah, and Timnah: ten cities with their villages.
58 Halhul, Beth-zur, Gedor,
59 Maarath, Beth-anoth, and Eltekon: six cities with their villages.
60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah: two cities with their villages.
61 In the wilderness, Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah,
62 Nibshan, the City of Salt, and Engedi: six cities with their villages.
63 But the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out, so the Jebusites dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day.
Things to think about…
1. Note that Judah’s land allotment covers most of southern Israel, from the Nile in Egypt, Josh 15:4 to the Dead Sea, vs 2 even along the Mediterranean Sea including Gaza and other Philistine towns like Ashdod, vs 47. Judah of course was the largest tribe and clearly took the ‘lion’s’ share – pun intended. Note the final verse- Josh 15:63 that the “Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people of Judah could not drive out,”. But we read earlier that Jerusalem was taken, Josh 10:23; 12: 10. But the writer is writing long afterwards and the city was again lost. We know that David would eventually re-take the city, but at the time of writing this was not the case. What happened here? Clearly Jerusalem was a stronghold for the Jebusites, but the Lord had promised victory. What about areas in our lives where there are fleshly strongholds but the Lord commands victory and obedience. We know the Spirit is willing when the flesh is weak. Where there are strongholds of pride and rebellion personally and even in the church let’s encourage one another to hand them over with a spirit of restoration, love and gentleness.
2. Caleb offers his daughter Achsah to anyone who could take the town of Debir, Josh 15:16. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew would take the town, vs17. But note that Caleb’s daughter Achsah was no wall flower. She had a faith and a boldness like her father. She goes to her father and asks for more, in this case springs of water, vss 18, 19. Negeb is a very dry place in Southern Israel and these springs of water would have been vital for her family’s survival in this area. She was smart and bold. Her request is proceeded by “Give me a blessing”, vs 19. We can come to our loving Saviour who is called the Water of Life and ask the same request. What blessing are you asking for that is vital for the survival of your family, the church and the extension of Christ’s kingdom?
3. Many of the cities listed in this chapter, Josh 15:22-62 we have no clue about. They are just names on a page. But they testify to the historical record that these towns existed. Often the only record of a town or an individual is found in the scriptures. Many times the world has been sceptical of the integrity of the biblical record until one day an archaeologist digs up an inscription or a seal that records that person or place. One of the most significant finds was the ‘Pilate Inscription’ found in Caesarea Maritima in 1961 that confirmed the person and title of Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea. Never despise the endless genealogies or lists of names in the bible. They all serve a purpose. Note that the city of Ziklag, vs 31 was where David dwelt when he was associated with the Philistines. They gave back this city to David after the Philistines had retaken it off Judah. David would have the toughest times of his rule when he was in this city. A spiritual dry point in his life for 2 years. Engedi, vs 62 is of course where David hid from Saul in a cave, 1 Sam 23:29.
4. Not that of all the cities taken, Jerusalem is still in the control of the Jebusites, Josh 15:63. But it says that the people of Judah dwell with the Jebusites. Judah was in the city, but the city was ruled by the Jebusites. This would be an issue right up to the rule of David 400 years later when his commander Joab would ascend the water shaft and take the city, cf 1Chron 11:4-9; 2 Sam 5. The same with us, if sin is allowed to abide in our lives it will not be defeated and can last a lifetime. We must conquer it. Or it will rule in our midst.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group looking at who is the anti-Christ Sunday week.
Prayer Points
1. Pray about the boldness to live for Christ knowing we have full assurance in our faith.
2. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
3. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
4. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
5. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups.
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons in the church cafe. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for the Mother’s Day event on Saturday. Many unbelievers were encouraged to follow the example of godly mothers as shown through the grace of Jesus. A great follow up message on Sunday by our elder Graham Willey on godly mums in the scriptures.
2. Praise the Lord for new mums at Playgroup. Pray it grows each week.
3. Tad’s health getting better all the time.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Members meeting 26th May after church.
3. Young Adults study after church this Sunday – Who, where and when – the Antichrist.
4. Monday evening prayer with Mathys on the café 5:30-6pm
5. Life Groups Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Kids@Church every Sunday.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul? A. Because the Bible tells me so.
