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Joshua Chapter 15 (ESV)

The Allotment for Judah

¹The 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.

REFLECTION:

• Judah was the southernmost tribe west of the Jordan. Caleb’s family and the Simeonites lived within Judah’s territory. The boundaries of the whole tribal territory was recorded first. The description proceeds counter clockwise from south (vv. 2-4) to east (v. 5) to north (vv. 5-11) to west (v. 12).
• The multitudes of the Judah tribe living in this vast area would be responsible for cultivating, planting and irrigating in order to have grain, trees and orchard. Every area has its riches and its hardship. It is through their diligent cultivating and harvesting, that the Land of Milk and Honey will appear.
• For in faithfully obeying God’s commands to them, the Israelites will be blessed by God as He has promised.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for granting me a diverse and colorful life, enabling me to understand how to navigate poverty and abundance. I am grateful that You have taught me diligence through the history of the division of land among the tribe of Judah. The land they received was initially barren and unproductive, but through diligent cultivating, planting and irrigating, it eventually became a “land flowing with milk and honey.” Today, Your promise to us remains the same. You promise us an abundant life, but not necessarily a smooth and prosperous one. You want to ignite a spirit of perseverance within us through the difficulties and hardships we encounter. You want to cultivate resilience of character through our failures and setbacks, so that we may experience Your presence. Heavenly Father, I do not ask for a life of abundance and comfort, but I ask that You mold my life. I pray that You guard my heart and thoughts, so that in adversity, I will not lose my gratitude and reverence for You, and in times of smooth sailing, my heart will not be filled with pride and greed, causing me to forget Your commandments. Heavenly Father, I ask that You make me more diligent and courageous, and help me fulfill the responsibilities I have in this world. Whether it is in the church, the workplace, the family, or any other place, may I be a beautiful testimony for You. Amen!

HYMN:

Praise to the Lord the Almighty – youtu.be/G-a5OKFHpsA