JOSHUA 14

1 ¶ And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.

2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.

• Eleazar the priest was Aaron’s son and successor (Num. 20:25; Deut. 10:6) and had been assigned his present task by Moses (Num. 34:17).
• Ten heads of the nine and a half tribes were explicitly named already in Num. 34:18–29 and the inheritance of each tribe was designated by lot.
• Though this process was performed by the casting of the "lot," it was not by "chance," for the Lord's hand was guiding the entire process.
• Pr 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

 

3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side (east) Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.

 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.

• The double-portion right of the firstborn was given to Joseph's two sons. In Gen 49.5 we learned that Jacob adopted Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to be his own (shall be mine). BY doing this, he elevated them to a position equal with his other sons and insured that Joseph's descendants would receive a double inheritance.
• In the apportionment, the Levites were not considered as one of the twelve tribes, "for the priesthood of Jehovah [was] their inheritance" (Josh 18:7), yea, even God himself (13:33; Deut 18:1, 2).
• On a side note, we commonly think and speak of the “twelve tribes of Israel” but actually there were thirteen, because although there were twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), the descendents of one of his sons, Joseph, divided into two tribes (Manasseh and Ephraim).

 

5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

• If men do as the Lord commands, they will see the truth of his declarations and experience the fulfillment of his promises. FBN
• 1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
• 1 Sam 15.22 Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
• Beloved, the Christian life is not following a set of rules and rituals, it is hearing His voice and walking humbly with our God.

 

Verses 6-9 reviews what is also recounted in Num. 13, 14.

6 ¶ Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

• Caleb, from the tribe of Judah, was one of the twelve spies who scouted out the land of Canaan some forty-five years before when Israel first was on the threshold of the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1-25).

 

7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt (Heb. Consume away, dissolve): but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

• Caleb is an outstanding example of a godly believer, because he wholly followed the Lord. This was not an over-inflated view of himself. Caleb is actually quoting the words of the Lord (Num. 14:24). 

• Caleb was one of the only two spies to come back with a good report, a report of faith, believing that God had given Israel the land and would enable them to conquer it (Numbers 13:26-14:9). The other faithful spy was none other than Joshua. Joshua and Caleb measured the spies against God’s strength.
• The ten faithless spies measured the giants against their own strength, this was the cause of Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Unbelief in the promise of God was the cause of the wilderness wandering of the nation.
• Heb 3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
• Mr 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief.
• Unbelief is a sin that keeps a person bound in doubt. Unbelief stunts spiritual growth and intimacy with Jesus. Unbelief quenches joy.

 

9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

• God kept him physically strong and courageous to the age of eighty-five. Spiritual strength is not limited to ones age or physical limitations. Paul’s prayer for the saints at Ephesus is my prayer for the saints at KF
• Eph 3:16 That God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man

 

11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

• Despite his advanced age of eighty-five years (14:10), Caleb maintains that his strength is undiminished and that he will be able to drive out the formidable Anakim, provided that the Lordwill be with him.
• At the age of 85, Caleb could have asked for an easier task. He could have left the battle with the Anakims to those much younger than him. But Caleb knew that the outcome of his battles did not depend upon his physical strength or might, but upon the power of God.
• Ps 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
• Over and over again in Scripture, we see men and women of who defied the odds against them by placing their faith and confidence in The Living God.
• Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
• We should imitate Caleb’s boldness in asking for what God promised him.  We may find it hard to believe, but God appreciates this kind of boldness. David Guzik

 

13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

• Caleb, who with Joshua had brought the minority report at Kadesh-barnea, asked for and received the city of Hebron as his special inheritance (cf. Joshua 15:13).
• In capturing Hebron he rendered the whole nation valuable service; later he willingly yielded his city to the Levites and lived in the suburbs (21:12).
• Still vigorous at 85 he helped drive out the Anakim.  Many bible commentators see the Anakim or giants as being illustrative to us of the inevitable challenge of inward sins and outward temptations.

 

JOSHUA 15

 

As we work our way through this chapter that speaks of the various allotments of land that God gave to each tribe, let us not forget the promise of God to the nation.

• Ex 23:31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.

 

1-12 are The borders of the province of Judah.

1 This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.

• Edom - This nation was located to the Southeast of Israel and was composed of the descendants of Esau, Israel's twin brother.

 

2 And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward:

• The salt sea- the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on the face of the Earth at 417 meters below sea level. It also has the highest salt concentration of any body of water on the face of the Earth: it has nine times the salt concentration of the ocean.

 

3 And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa:

4 From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast.

5 And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan:

6 And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben:

7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:

• Gilgal- Gilgal is the place that the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan, just prior to the taking of Jericho. Here the Israelites were circumcised and kept the Passover before beginning the conquest of the land.

 

8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem:

• Jerusalem was not fully conquered until the time of King David (2 Sam. 5:6–10).

and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward:

9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim:

10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah:

11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea.

12 And the west border was to the great sea (Mediterranean Sea), and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families.

• Judah's southern border extended from the southern end of the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) westward to the brook of Egypt. Her northern border extended from the northern tip of the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean (these representing the eastern and western limits).

 

13-19 is the land allotted the Caleb and his family.

13 ¶ And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.

• Sarah, Abraham's wife died here, and this city would eventually serve as David's first capital, before his taking of Jerusalem.
• God never forgets His promises, and in due time those who trust in Him will experience their fulfillment. Beloved, God is good and God is faithful.
• 1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
• Lam 3.23 Great is thy faithfulness.

 

14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak.

15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher.

16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

• Caleb was not only a man of great and bold deeds (the driving out of the 3 sons of Anak), but also a man who encouraged others to great and bold deeds.  He did this by offering his daughter in marriage to the man who was bold enough to conquer a city to have her.

 

17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

·      Othniel later became a judge in Israel (Jud 3.9-11).

• Judges 3:9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

 

18 And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou?

19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs.

 

The cities of Judah are listed by four geographical areas: (1) the south (Joshua 15:20-32); (2) the Shephelah (western foothills, Joshua 15:33-47); (3) the hill country (Joshua 15:48-60); and (4) the desert (or wilderness) of Judea that slopes down to the Dead Sea (Joshua 15:61-62).

 

20-62 are the cities, villages, and regions occupied by the tribe of Judah.

20 ¶ This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families.

21 And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah,

23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,

24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth,

25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,

26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

27 And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,

28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

• The name Beersheba means "The Well of Oaths" and received its name from two oaths that were made between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, and later Isaac and Abimelech (Gen. 21:25-34, 26:26-33).

 

29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem,

30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah,

31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah,

• Ziklag was the place where King David stayed for over a year and 4 months when he fled from Saul. It was here that David wept after the Amalekites had taken the city and their wives and children captive. When the people were grieved thought of stoning him, David encouraged himself in the LORD His God (1 Sam 30.6).
• Maybe some of you tonight are in the same place that David was here in Ziklag. Encourage yourself in The Lord. Encourage yourself in His love, in His grace, in His mercy.

 

32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages:

33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah,

34 And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam,

35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah,

36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages:

37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad,

38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,

39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon,

40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,

41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:

• Cities and villages- The distinguishing mark of a city was that it had a wall surrounding it for the purpose of fortifying it against potential enemy invaders; villages had no such walls.

 

42 Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan,

43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages:

45 Ekron, with her towns and her villages:

46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages:

47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof:

48 And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh,

49 And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir,

50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim,

51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:

52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean,

53 And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah,

54 And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages:

55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,

56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah,

57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:

58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,

59 And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages:

60 Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages:

61 In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah,

62 And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

• God was with His people as they engaged in combat with each and every one of these cites.

 

63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

• Against the backdrop of so much success, the notice that the people of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites from Jerusalem and that they dwell with the people of Judah at Jerusalem to this day is disconcerting. How is it that the people of Judah “could not” drive out their foes? Surely the god of the Jebusites is not stronger than the God of Judah!
• The answer is very simple….without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the hand that reaches out to take in the promises of God.

 

When I was pondering on the texts for our study tonight and thinking about Caleb, this thought occurred to me….what would people write about my life after The Lord calls me home?  What will they write or say about you? What will they write or say about KF as a whole?

I am absolutely convinced that not a single soul in Scripture did what they did for The Lord because they knew that one day it would be written for the entire world to know. They served The Lord faithfully. 

 

The presence of the Anakim, instead of discouraging Caleb, was an incitement to him to undertake the conquest of the region, for he had faith in the presence and help of God. Beloved, whatever your Anakim is tonight, may it serve to inspire you to draw near to God and defeat it in the Name of The Lord Jesus.