RPG Adults
THE WESTERN BORDER AND SETTLEMENT OF JUDAH
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Joshua 15:21-63
Acts 4:24-28
“…God, which hast made heaven,
and earth, and the sea,
and all that in them is…”
THE WESTERN BORDER AND SETTLEMENT OF JUDAH
This was also a natural boundary and is described in one verse. The Great Sea was the western border. In the days of limited travel by sea in ships, the sea may have been useful only for fishing and a few other products. However, in history, that sea became the gateway to reach many lands and also brought much commercial value. The nations of the world traded to this day through this sea.
The port often mentioned in Scripture is Tyre. It was through this sea route that Jonah, many years later, tried to escape from God by sailing to Tarshish. Though not much had been said in the early days about the use of this sea by Judah as their border, it stood with that potential for them to keep in touch with other lands. In the New Testament, the disciples crisscrossed this sea to bring the Gospel to many parts of the Roman Empire. This western boundary was also a blessing to Judah. God always has a purpose in allocating habitation.
Caleb was prominent in Judah. As seen earlier, he was an elder of the tribe. He was allocated his portion by the commandment of God. He drove out the Anakims or giants that occupied that land before. These were the people whom Israel had feared and who had caused the delay of their occupation of Canaan. All along, Caleb had trusted that God would give them that land. The time had now come for him to occupy that place that God had promised him. He offered Achsah his daughter in marriage to anyone who would smite Kirjathsepher. Othniel (his brother’s son) did so and Caleb gave him his daughter in marriage. His daughter asked him for the springs of water as heritage and he gave them to her. Othniel was also destined for leadership in the future.
The long list of cities given to Judah from verses 22 to 62, confirms the fulfilment of God’s promise. Pockets of Canaanites were left in the land. The narrative and list were evidence of God’s faithfulness to Israel. His word is always true.
THOUGHT: God rules even the waves of the sea.
PRAYER: Father, help me appreciate Thy hand in creation.