Joshua 15:1 – 12 “Now the allotment for the clans of the tribe of Judah extended to the border of Edom, to the Wilderness of Zin at the extreme southern boundary:
Their southern border started at the bay on the southern tip of the Salt Sea, proceeded south of the Ascent of Akrabbim, continued on to Zin, went over to the south of Kadesh-barnea, ran past Hezron up to Addar, and curved toward Karka. It proceeded to Azmon, joined the Brook of Egypt, and ended at the Sea. This was their southern border.
The eastern border was the Salt Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.
The northern border started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, went up to Beth-hoglah, proceeded north of Beth-arabah, and went up to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. Then the border went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor, turning north to Gilgal, which faces the Ascent of Adummim south of the ravine. It continued along the waters of En-shemesh and came out at En-rogel. From there the border went up the Valley of Hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusites (that is, Jerusalem) and ascended to the top of the hill that faces the Valley of Hinnom on the west, at the northern end of the Valley of the Rephaim. From the hilltop the border curved to the spring of the Waters of Nephtoah, proceeded to the cities of Mount Ephron, and then bent around toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath-jearim). The border curled westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Chesalon), went down to Beth-shemesh, and crossed to Timnah. Then it went out to the northern slope of Ekron, curved toward Shikkeron, proceeded to Mount Baalah, went on to Jabneel, and ended at the Sea. And the western border was the coastline of the Great Sea. These are the boundaries around the clans of the descendants of Judah.
At first, reading this account of the land allotted to Judah could give you brain freeze! To understand what God was doing when He allotted land to Judah, you really do need a map. Although there is territory allotted to the Tribe of Simeon within Judah’s territory, Simeon as a separate group actually was absorbed into Judah. Later on, when the Northern Kingdom of Israel/Samaria split off from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Judah and Benjamin still had quite a bit of territory. Remember that anything east of the Jordan had been allotted to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh.
Part of Judah’s inheritance included the Philistine cities of Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, Gaza, and Ashkelon. Despite the fact that God promised these cities to the Tribe of Judah, they still had to fight for them. Unfortunately, the Philistines were more persistent and continued to live in those cities for several hundred more years. The corrupt Philistine religion remained a constant temptation to the Israelites.
APPLICATION: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going;” however, when the going gets tough, some of us simply quit. There are very few valuable things in life that do not require a great deal of effort. Ask any married couple how much work it is to maintain a healthy relationship, and they will can tell all kinds of stories. Physiotherapists know that rehabilitation from injuries involves pain and persistence. There is no profession that does not require a great deal of study. Thomas Alva Edison, inventor of the light bulb and many other things is quoted as having said that “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” “Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.”
As long as men such as Joshua and Caleb were leading the Israelites, they did very well in taking the Promised Land. But once some of the extremely determined leaders were gone, the next generation began making excuses.
Has God called you to do something great? Make a start and ask God for more strength and ability! And don’t quit.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to realize that You have far bigger plans for us than we do for ourselves. Help us never to quit or to give up when You are calling us to greatness. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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