Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Joshua, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, summer 2009, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Stay strong and very courageous. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 15 of the Old Testament book of Joshua. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
15:1-4 – This is Judah’s Southern land boundary.
15:5-11 – Judah’s Eastern and Northern land boundaries are defined.
15:6 – The stone of Bohan the son of Reuben – what is that?
15:12 – The Western boundary of Judah’s lands.
15:13-19 – Caleb secures his land inheritance and a husband for his daughter.
15:14 – Caleb drove the sons of Anak out of his land. So all of the people weren’t driven out of the land.
Does the name Anak sound familiar? Look it up. Who was Anak and how do his descendants factor into scripture?
15:16 – I wonder why Caleb gave his daughter as a battle prize? Was she a great beauty or a good cook that would motivate a man to take a city? Was Kiriath-sepher (“city of book” aka Debir aka Kiriath-Sannah – “city of bronze”) a strong city? Did Caleb want a fearless man for his little girl? A warrior to protect him in his old age? He’s already old and drove the Anakites out of his land, so it doesn’t seem like he needs protecting.
15:17 – Othniel (“God is powerful”), Caleb’s nephew, defeated the city and won Caleb’s daughter, Achsah (“bangle, ankle ornament”), for his wife. Othniel was the first judge of Israel. See Judges 1:11-15; 3:7-11.
15:18-19 – Caleb gave Achsah springs of water. How is this significant? Consider the value of water and the value of women in this culture…
15:20-32 – The cities in the Southern boundary of Judah are named in greater detail. Why might the author do this? Can you find a map, enlarge it and mark out the boundary?
• The book of Joshua teaches us many things including the fact that we must pursue a relationship with the Lord for ourselves rather than leaning on others’ relationships with Him. Joshua followed Moses as leader of Israel, after all. What have you learned and applied to your life from today’s reading that will help you persevere in your relationship with Christ?
• How do you observe God proving to Israel that He is with Joshua as He was with Moses in today’s text? How does it apply to your own life and relationship with Him?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
Comments