Living in the Promised Land: A study in the book of Joshua
To view this online as a video:
Lesson Fifteen: A geography lesson
A. Introduction
1. Greetings
2. Overview. [For those online, see this book overview from The Bible Project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqOqJlFF_eU )
B. Today’s lesson: Chapter 15
Geography matters. I know for some of you, this sounds like a boring school subject. Like what river runs southeast in China and you have flashbacks of the HSC or the SAT. Your hands start getting clammy due to nervousness. I remember when I first moved to Australia and one of my colleagues sent me an image they thought I could use, only the map which was included was the map of Austria instead of Australia. Geography can be so daunting.
I’m reading a book by Bill Bryson just now. He’s one of my all-time favourite authors. His book about his adventures and misadventures on the Appalachian Trail in the US is better than I expected, and I expected high marks. In the book he chronicles his own hike from Georgia to Maine, along the longest and very dangerous route that AT affords. With aplomb and his usual detail, with excellent imagery and adverb-punched rhetoric, Bryson makes me feel that I’m there in the snow, the rain, the sunshine and cold, among the trees or the pleasure of sleeping in a three-wall cabin at any stage. Geography matters, although Bryson would say that geography was similarly daunting.
So, when we come to today’s Bible lesson, we see the author giving us great details about boundaries. This tribe had these cities, and the border ran along the dot, dot, dot. For some of the most ardent of Bible readers, this is a wearying test. What is the point of it all?
Listen, good fences make good neighbours, they say. And having it down in black and white takes some serious pressure off the children and grandchildren when situations arise later in our history. Look, you don’t have to be a Bible scholar to know that squabbles over the measurements of the boundaries of the Land of Israel are still in vogue to this day. Is Ashdod or Ashkelon part of the Philistine area, that morphed centuries later into the Gaza Strip, and now appear on our nightly news as Gaza?
One person titles the area on the west bank of the Jordan River as the West Bank, others the Shomron, others Samaria, and for everyone in these days – a place which may or may not be able to be settled by one tribe or another.
What I’m saying is that the geography and the listing of locations is not only factually interesting, but also that the facts have significance for centuries to come.
The lesson begins today with the tribe of Judah. The first lot is given the tribe of Judah. This represents not the order of birth of the sons of Jacob but the order of political priority for the editor of the biblical narrative. His major concern is with Judah, the only representative of Israel left in his day when he compiles this book of the Bible. For him, Judah is the first to receive its inheritance, the last to fall, and the only remaining hope for restoring a lot of the people of God.
I’m showing these two maps today so you can see the tribal locations and the dimensions and especially as they showcase the proximity to the other nations of Edom, Ammon, Philistia, etc. This is a geography lesson of significance.
Dale Ralph Davis uses this image about the lists, “Joshua 15 is simply one of the buds on the tree of Genesis 12 and Genesis 15. The land promise had long ago been given to Abraham, was often reaffirmed, and was picked up in Joshua 1; here we see part of its concrete fulfilment.” In other words, as Davis showcases, the buds, the beginning of the beauty of the full tree of God’s promises, is being seen in the border markings, the territory placed, the peoples displaced, the settling of the people of God into the promised land of God. It’s still God’s land, and he places people in his land as stewards, to make his name and to make his plans known to the rest of the world.
So, the chapter has 63 verses; that’s a lot, it makes this very long in Bible chapter distributions. The point, of course, is to show the entire breadth and width, the expansive land mass of the people of Judah. The details are useful in the days of the Bible, and in the times of history.
I don’t know how you read your Bible, either devotionally or for study, but one of the ways I read any selection and try to notice what God is saying to me, is to read for patterns and for break-of-patterns. In other words, look for oddities.
So, first, in verses 1-12, we have the list of the borders, and the sweeping boundaries of Judah. The border went down, then the border went up, south, in verse 6, the border went up to another place, in verse 10, it turned, and went down, and the summary is in verse 12: This is the border around the sons of Judah. Done and dusted, right? Nope.
The story of Caleb and Achsah
The author makes a particular point or two about Caleb. We studied him before and noted his story back in the book of Numbers with the 12 spy’s story. We saw how bold he was last week in approaching his buddy Joshua and received a portion of the land which now is listed. He received Hebron, then labelled Kiriat-Arba, noting that Arba is the father of Anak, the giant, and thus highlighted the bravery of Caleb.
But now the author amplifies the narrative of the geography lesson with another part of the story of Caleb. Did you see how that ‘sticks out’ when you are reading this chapter?
Verses 16 to 19 relates a story about Caleb’s daughter and how he gave her away to another. Do you see the unusual non-list nature of this story?
What do we see here? I’m reminded of another story.
A rich man threw a big party at his home in Vaucluse. He had announced that he would be giving his only daughter to a lucky man, yet unknown. The crowd was thick. The music loud. The rich man invited everyone outside poolside.
The pool was awash in lights that night, and some movement in it was uncharacteristic. Seems there were crocodiles in the pool. The rich man announced that if any man swam the length of the pool, he would give to that man his only daughter, the heir of his entire estate, in marriage.
Immediately a man was in the pool and swimming for his life. He got to the other end and jumped out while the crowd cheered. What a brave man! The rich man was amazed. He ran to the far end and greeted the man.
“Mazel tov!” he shouted as the crowd marvelled. The rich man asked, “I have only one question… what gave you the strength to zip through those crocs?”
The winning swimmer replied, “I have only one question, too. Who pushed me?”
Joke aside, the setting in verse 16 is that Caleb is readying to conquer his territory and invites help. I love that. He knows God’s will. He believes God’s will. He believes God will accomplish what is required. And considering all that, he knows he has limitations. Remember he’s at least 85 years old. He looks for a younger man, a stronger man, and one who might want a reward of being in the family.
Othniel, his nephew raises his hand, and gets a double reward. He helps win the battle against Kiriath-sepher. As a result, he gets his first reward, marrying his cousin, Achsah, and gaining the inheritance of Judah in that area. I’m not sure why the Talmud says that Othniel is Caleb, but there you go.
I said he won a double reward. What’s the 2nd? Look at Achsah’s bravery and chutzpah. She dismounts from her donkey, asks her father for a blessing, and that includes water and a steady supply of water at that, for her family and her farming situation. And Caleb agrees.
I’m the father of two daughters and almost anything my girls would request would be theirs. I get that. But don’t miss this; considering what Caleb asked and received in chapter 14, let me say this. As you have received, you will give.
I sat with an Israeli man yesterday in Bondi and we spoke much about his impending marriage next week. We spoke about religion and this fact: As we are treated, so we will treat others. We investigated Jeremiah’s prophecy (chapter 31) about a new covenant and that the result of the reality of the New Covenant would be knowing God personally, God’s law would be put on our hearts, and we would be forgiven.
Forgiveness received leads to forgiveness granted. That’s the reality. And my new friend from Israel is receiving and giving that with regularity, not only to his fiancé, but also to others. What we have received, that’s what we give. Yeshua taught, “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10.8)
So, what Caleb found in the grace of Joshua, in the gift after the chutzpah request, Caleb then could pass on to others. He received—he gave.
More geography
Then we have these listings of cities and commensurate villages. Verse 32, showing 29 cities and villages. Verse 41, 16 cities and villages. Verse 44, 9 cities plus. Verse 46 Ekron and its villages. Verse 47 Ashdod, Gaza, and their villages. Verse 51 11 cities and villages, verse 54 9 cities with villages, Verse 57 10 cities with villages, Verse 59, 6 cities with villages, Verse 60, 2 cities with, Verse 62, 6 cities with. Total? 101 cities with villages. OK< good counting. Did you see the anomalies? Did you see the ones which stuck out by their distinction? Only Ekron and Ashdod and Gaza.
Then the final wrap up before we move to the sons of Joseph next week in chapter 16. What is it? Verse 63. The residue…that’s the rub. Jebusites in the land of the area around Jerusalem. Judah did not eradicate the problem people, the Jebusites, and thus they live with the sons of Judah to the day of this writing.
Caleb removed the Anakim, but Judah did not completely and comprehensively remove the Jebusites. What do we learn from this?
Our sins will stay with us.
Our errors remain.
Our mistakes are forgivable, yes, but when we don’t comply with biblical standards, and when those nations remain which, we are told to eradicate, they will be as thorns in our sides. (Numbers 33.55, Joshua 23.13, Judges 2.3) The thorns are people. They are the enemies of the Jewish people. And it’s the memory of thorns which the apostle Paul shares when he seeks for God to get rid of troubles in his day. Remember that one?
Paul writes this: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Corinthians 12.7)
The buffeting for Paul, the prevention of his self-exaltation, was trouble, and a troubling matter. What was it? Some say failing eyesight. Some say a sickness. But what does the Book say? A thorn in the flesh. That’s only one thing in biblical terminology. It’s people. And who were the people that were annoying Paul? Some use the term ‘judaizers.’ I don’t like that term. They were the legalisers; the pretend apostles and preachers who followed where he went and insisted that people become ‘Torah observant” and follow rabbis and not follow Yeshua. They required circumcision and kosher laws, no matter what people had been taught or how they wanted to serve God. These legalisers were Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Does that now make sense to you?
Invitation
Dear friends, do you have such a sense of forgiveness and God’s gracious presence today? Do you know that Yeshua initiated the New Covenant, that which Jeremiah predicted, on Passover nearly 2000 years ago? Have you met the one who was cursed on the Roman tree for you in Jerusalem? if you have never asked Yeshua to be your Saviour, today as we keep learning from Joshua, would you choose to believe the Lord of life? Would you be willing to take a stand for him who took a stand and died on a Roman cross for you? We love Yeshua because in his death he accomplished salvation for all people. He took the curse we deserved to give us his righteousness which he deserved. Forgiveness is available because of the death of our messiah.
If you’d like to receive him today, just now, join me as we pray.
Say something like this: “Father in Yeshua’s name, forgive me my sin, I was wrong to dismiss you and to disbelieve in you. I need your mercy. I deserve punishment but you are kind and merciful and I receive your grace. I repent. I receive Yeshua as my saviour and Lord. I will live because of my faith in Messiah Yeshua. Amen.
If you prayed that, please let us know of your profession by writing straightaway, won’t you? Bob@JewsforJesus.org.au We’d love to hear from you.
Conclusion
We are delighted you have joined us today. Please join us next week and learn with the others how you can stay on track in 2021 and beyond. I hope to see you next week as we continue our studies in Joshua. You will certainly see yourself in the readings and in the lessons. Next week we will look at chapter 16, in what I call “Trends of note” and see what lessons we can draw for ourselves from the scenes there!
Hope to see you then… until then, Shabbat shalom!
Bibliography
Butler, Trent C., Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 7. Joshua. Word, Waco, 1983.
Davis, Dale Ralph, Joshua: No Falling Words, Christian Focus, Fearn, Ross-shire, Scotland, 2019.
Hess, Richard. Tyndale Commentary Complete.
Meyer, F.B., Joshua and the Land of Promise, Christian Literature Crusade, Ft Washington PA, 1977.
Pritchard, James, “The Bible reports on Gibeon.” Penn Museum, Expedition, 1961. Volume 3, Issue 4.
Sanders, J. Oswald, Promised-Land Living, Moody Press, Chicago, 1984.
Toms, Paul, This land is your land. Gospel Light Publishing, Glendale CA, 1977.
Weirsbe, Warren. Be Strong: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life. David C. Cook Publishing, Colorado Springs, 2010.
-------------------
D-Groups for this week
1) Monday 11 am Sydney time. Led by James Howse
2) Monday 7 pm, Sydney time, led by James White
(Contact our office for zoom details)
If you’d like to host a D-Group either online or in person, please contact bob@jewsforjesus.org.au for further details. It’s time to step up. Ponder this—who will be in your D-Group?
The Book of Joshua: Outline.
C. Entering the Land (Chapters 1-4)
a. Chapter 1: A funeral and a promise (Leadership Lesson 1)
b. Chapter 2: A harlot saves the day
c. Chapter 3: Go against the flow (Part 1)
d. Chapter 4: Go against the flow (Part 2)
D. Taking the Land (5-12)
a. Chapter 5: Roll away iniquity: a study in sacraments
b. Chapter 6: Joshua fit d’battle ob Jericho
c. Chapter 7: Getting it very wrong: Achan and his mistakes
d. Chapter 8: Combat and Covenant
e. Chapter 9: Common sense is not so common
f. Chapter 10: Southern dominance
g. Chapter 11: How not to win
h. Chapter 12: God is faithful
E. Possessing the Land (13-21)
a. Chapter 13: Inheritance lessons
b. Chapter 14: Caleb as an example with a side of contentment
c. Chapter 15: Geography lesson
d. Chapter 16: Trends of note (Part 1)
e. Chapter 17: Trends of note (Part 2)
f. Chapter 18: Apportionment (Part 1)
g. Chapter 19: Apportionment (Part 2)
h. Chapter 20: Provisions (Part 1)
i. Chapter 21: Provisions (Part 2)
F. Retaining the Land (22-24)
a. Chapter 22: Can an altar alter anything?
b. Chapter 23: Staying on edge
c. Chapter 24: Three funerals and Renewing the covenant
The Seven Nations
1. Amorite
2. Canaanite
3. Girgashite
4. Hittite
5. Hivite
6. Jebusite
7. Perizzite
Josh. 15:1 Now athe lot for the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families 1reached the bborder of Edom, southward to the cwilderness of Zin at the extreme south. 2 Their south border was from the lower end of the Salt Sea, from the bay that turns to the south. 3 Then it proceeded southward to the ascent of Akrabbim and continued to Zin, then went up by the south of Kadesh-barnea and continued to Hezron, and went up to Addar and turned about to Karka. 4 It acontinued to Azmon and proceeded to the 1bbrook of Egypt, and the 2border ended at the sea. This shall be your south border. 5 The aeast border was the Salt Sea, as far as the 1mouth of the Jordan. And the bborder of the north side was from the bay of the sea at the 1mouth of the Jordan. 6 Then the border went up to Beth-hoglah, and continued on the north of Beth-arabah, and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben. 7 The border went up to Debir from athe valley of Achor, and turned northward toward Gilgal which is opposite the ascent of Adummim, which is on the south of the valley; and the border continued to the waters of En-shemesh and 1it ended at En-rogel. 8 Then the border went up the valley of Ben-hinnom to the slope of the aJebusite on the south (that is, Jerusalem); and the border went up to the top of the mountain which is before the valley of Hinnom to the west, which is at the end of the valley of Rephaim toward the north. 9 From the top of the mountain the border curved to the spring of the waters of Nephtoah and proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, then the border curved to aBaalah (that is, bKiriath-jearim). 10 The border turned about from Baalah westward to Mount Seir, and continued to the slope of Mount Jearim on the north (that is, Chesalon), and went down to Beth-shemesh and continued through aTimnah. 11 The border proceeded to the side of Ekron northward. Then the border curved to Shikkeron and continued to Mount Baalah and proceeded to Jabneel, and the 1border ended at the sea. 12 The west border was aat the Great Sea, even its 1coastline. This is the border around the sons of Judah according to their families.
Josh. 15:13 Now ahe gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh a portion bamong the sons of Judah, according to the 1command of the LORD to Joshua, namely, 2Kiriath-arba, Arba being the father of Anak (that is, Hebron). 14 aCaleb1drove out from there the three bsons of Anak: Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15 Then ahe went up from there against the inhabitants of Debir; now the name of Debir formerly was Kiriath-sepher. 16 And Caleb said, “The one who 1attacks Kiriath-sepher and captures it, 2I will give him Achsah my daughter as a wife.” 17 aOthniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, captured it; so he gave him Achsah his daughter as a wife. 18 aIt came about that when she came to him, she persuaded him to ask her father for a field. So she alighted from the donkey, and Caleb said to her, “What do you want?” 19 Then she said, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the 1Negev, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
Josh. 15:20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the sons of Judah according to their families.
Josh. 15:21 Now the cities at the extremity of the tribe of the sons of Judah toward the border of Edom in the south were Kabzeel and aEder 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-hezron (that is, Hazor), 26 Amam and Shema and Moladah, 27 and Hazar-gaddah and Heshmon and Beth-pelet, 28 and Hazar-shual and aBeersheba and Biziothiah, 29 Baalah and Iim and Ezem, 30 and Eltolad and Chesil and Hormah, 31 and aZiklag and Madmannah and Sansannah, 32 and Lebaoth and Shilhim and Ain and Rimmon; in all, twenty-nine cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:33 In the lowland: aEshtaol and Zorah and Ashnah, 34 and Zanoah and En-gannim, Tappuah and Enam, 35 Jarmuth and aAdullam, Socoh and Azekah, 36 and Shaaraim and Adithaim and Gederah and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:37 Zenan and Hadashah and Migdal-gad, 38 and Dilean and Mizpeh and Joktheel, 39 aLachish and Bozkath and Eglon, 40 and Cabbon and Lahmas and Chitlish, 41 and Gederoth, Beth-dagon and Naamah and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:42 Libnah and Ether and Ashan, 43 and Iphtah and Ashnah and Nezib, 44 and Keilah and Achzib and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:45 Ekron, with its towns and its villages; 46 from Ekron even to the sea, all that were by the 1side of Ashdod, with their villages.
Josh. 15:47 Ashdod, its towns and its villages; Gaza, its towns and its villages; as far as athe 1brook of Egypt and the Great Sea, even its 2coastline.
Josh. 15:48 In the hill country: Shamir and Jattir and Socoh, 49 and Dannah and Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir), 50and Anab and Eshtemoh and Anim, 51 and Goshen and Holon and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:52 Arab and Dumah and Eshan, 53 and Janum and Beth-tappuah and Aphekah, 54 and Humtah and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), and Zior; nine cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:55 Maon, Carmel and Ziph and Juttah, 56 and Jezreel and Jokdeam and Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah and Timnah; ten cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:58 Halhul, Beth-zur and Gedor, 59 and Maarath and Beth-anoth and Eltekon; six cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:60 Kiriath-baal (that is, Kiriath-jearim), and Rabbah; two cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:61 In the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin and Secacah, 62 and Nibshan and the City of Salt and Engedi; six cities with their villages.
Josh. 15:63 Now as for the Jebusites, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the sons of Judah could not drive them out; so the Jebusites live with the sons of Judah at Jerusalem until this day.
No comments:
Post a Comment