Joshua 15 Proverbs 15
Chapter 15 of Joshua is divided into three parts: the land given to the tribe of Judah first, the towns Judah inherited last, with the land given to Caleb sandwiched between the two. Full disclosure: I get a little overwhelmed trying soak in the description of how big this land was…or the names of the towns. However, my study bible makes a good point: “Notice that these boundaries and descriptions of the Promised Land are very specific. God was telling Israel exactly what to do, and he was giving them exactly what they needed. There was no excuse for disobedience.”
In regards to Caleb and his receiving of land, who is he and how does he rate to get some special land? I’m sure many of you recall a song from your childhood: “Twelve men went to spy on Canaan, ten (all ten fingers in the air) were bad (thumbs down) and two (two index fingers in the air) were good (thumbs up).” Well, the two “good” ones were Joshua and Caleb. This story can be found in the book of Numbers. Numbers chapter 14 verse 24 reads: “But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went and his descendants shall possess it.”
There is also one little last tidbit provided at the end of chapter 15 in Joshua. It tells of how the tribe of Judah could not drive out the Jebusites…”so the Jebusites live there among the people of Judah to this day.” This piece of information is repeated in Judges 1:21. However, the rest of the story is played out in 2 Samuel 5:6. The Jebusites mess with the wrong Marine in the form of King David.
Proverbs 15 is full of wise sayings, but it starts off with one that hits home with me: “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.” While I have an incredibly large amount of room for growth in this area, I have to praise my wife…as this is a tremendous gift of hers. I truly thank God each day for her kindness and gift of a gentle answer.
Where do you have room for growth? Pray that God will help you with that, today.
Mike Thomas