Joshua 15 Maps
I encourage you to use the PowerPoint maps and PDF provided with this audio.
Theme
Having entered the land of fight and faith, Israel conquered their enemies with God’s help, and now it was time to receive the reward for their faithful service. Faithful service never goes unseen or unrewarded. God always rewards his faithful servants.
Introduction
In chapter 14 we looked at the faithfulness of Caleb as he wholly followed the Lord his God.
- Caleb continued to trust God for victories even in the latter years of his life.
- Caleb wasn’t content to rest in the land they had already taken but was ready and willing to go up and take the mountain where the giants dwelt because he trusted that God would be with him.
Joshua chapter 15 records the boundaries, cities, and inheritance of the tribe of Judah, restating the special inheritance given to Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and demonstrating the fulfilment of God’s promises concerning the land.
The chapter naturally divides into three sections, with the middle one being the shortest.
Sermon Outline
- Judah’s Inherited Land (Vs 1-12)
- Caleb’s Inherited Land (Vs 13-19)
- Judah’s Inherited Cities (Vs 20-61)
Verses 1-12 detail the borders and full scope of the land given to the tribe of Judah, and verses 20-61 detail the specific cities within their inheritance which were given to them to possess.
Note: Not all of this land remained in their possession. Some of this land ended up falling to other tribes, but the greater part remained in their possession.
Judah’s Inherited Land
(Joshua 15:1-12)
The Need for the Division of the Land
The Remaining Tribes Needed Their Inheritance
The land on the east side of the Jordan River needed to be divided between the nine and one-half tribes.
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh had already been given their possession on the east side of the Jordan River, but the other tribes awaited their possession within the boundaries of the Promised Land.
Judah and Joseph received the largest portions of the land, while the remaining tribes received portions according to their population.
Numbers 33:54
“And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance…”
The Details of the Division of the Land
The South Border (Vs 2-4)
Tracing the southern border in detail:
- From the bottom edge of the Dead Sea
- Southwest toward the Wilderness of Zin
- Past Kadesh-barnea
- Through Hezron, Adar, and Karkaa
- Toward Azmon
- To the River of Egypt
- Ending at the Mediterranean Sea
In summary, the southern border ran from the Dead Sea along the Wilderness of Zin, including Kadesh-barnea, then westward to the River of Egypt and onward to the Mediterranean Sea.
The East Border (Vs 5a)
The eastern border was the Dead Sea, also called the Salt Sea.
The Dead Sea formed a natural boundary for Judah’s inheritance.
Ezekiel 47:8-10
Ezekiel prophesied that God will heal the Dead Sea during the Millennial Kingdom, transforming it into a place filled with life and fish.
The North Border (Vs 5b-11)
The northern border extended westward from where the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea.
It passed through:
- Beth-hogla
- Beth-arabah
- The stone of Bohan
- Debir
- The Valley of Achor
- En-shemesh
- En-rogel
- Jerusalem
- Mount Ephron
- Kirjath-jearim
- Timnah
- Ekron
- Jabneel
Before finally reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
The West Border (Vs 12)
The western border was the Mediterranean Sea.
This is the simplest boundary to identify.
Caleb’s Inherited Land
(Joshua 15:13-19)
Caleb’s Conquest of Hebron (Vs 13-14)
Caleb Drove Out the Giants
In the previous chapter Caleb requested the mountain known as Kirjath-arba for his inheritance.
This place was named after a prominent giant named Arba.
When Caleb conquered the city, Arba himself was gone, but his descendants remained.
We are told that Arba was the father of Anak, and the giants Caleb drove out were descendants of Anak.
Caleb fulfilled exactly what he promised Joshua he would do.
Caleb Walked His Talk
Many people talk about faith, but Caleb demonstrated faith through action.
A sports team may boast before a match and then spend the post-match interview making excuses for defeat.
Caleb was different.
He trusted God and acted upon that trust.
Application for Christians
How many Christians hold sound biblical principles in theory, but compromise those principles in practice?
Examples include:
- Condemning alcohol while regularly placing themselves in drinking environments
- Praising godly hymns while filling their homes with worldly music
- Criticising moral decline while consuming ungodly entertainment in private
We must walk the talk.
At the end of the day, the truth of our convictions is revealed by what we do, not merely by what we say.
Caleb’s Conquest of Debir (Vs 15-19)
Caleb Pursued Further Victories
Caleb did not stop after conquering Hebron.
He continued pressing forward to claim more territory for Israel.
He was not content to sit back while others fought the battles of faith.
Faithfulness like Caleb’s is rewarded.
Be not weary in well doing.
Othniel Captured Debir
Caleb offered his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever would conquer Debir.
Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, captured the city.
Later Othniel became the first judge of Israel.
Judges 3:9-10
“And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer… even Othniel…”
Caleb’s faith inspired others to take steps of faith in serving God.
Achsah Desired Greater Blessings
Achsah followed her father’s example.
Just as Caleb desired the mountain where the giants lived, Achsah desired springs of water for her inheritance.
She requested a field with water from her father.
Caleb generously gave her both upper springs and lower springs.
Faith always seeks the greater blessing.
Faith desires to enter fully into all that God has provided.
Likewise, Christians should desire to walk in the Spirit and enjoy the blessings God has made available through Him.
Judah’s Inherited Cities
(Joshua 15:20-63)
Cities of Inherited Blessing
Each city listed in this chapter stands as a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
God had promised Israel the land, and now they were receiving it.
Likewise, when God promises believers an inheritance in heaven, that inheritance is guaranteed.
The cities are described as being:
“According to their families”
These cities became associated with the families who inhabited them.
Divisions of the Cities
Verses 20-32
There are twenty-nine cities with additional villages attached to them.
This explains why more names appear in the list than the total number stated in verse 32.
Verses 33-47
Cities of the fertile plains region divided into four groups:
- Fourteen cities (Vs 33-36)
- Sixteen cities (Vs 37-41)
- Nine cities (Vs 42-44)
- Philistine cities (Vs 45-47)
Many of these cities remained occupied by Philistines for a considerable period.
Verses 48-60
Cities of the hill country divided into five groups:
- Eleven cities (Vs 48-51)
- Nine cities (Vs 52-54)
- Ten cities (Vs 55-57)
- Six cities (Vs 58-59)
- Two cities (Vs 60)
Verses 61-63
These were wilderness cities.
Jerusalem is also mentioned.
At this point Jerusalem remained unconquered and would not be fully conquered until the reign of King David.
Verse 63 indicates that Joshua was written before David captured Jerusalem, providing important evidence regarding the date of authorship.
Conclusion
This chapter contains many geographical details and may seem light on practical application, yet the faithfulness of God shines through every section.
Israel entered the Promised Land, fought by faith, and finally received the reward God had promised.
The same principle applies to Christians today.
Israel’s inheritance was preceded by years of battle.
Likewise, our inheritance is coming, but we must remain faithful in today’s spiritual battles if we are to enjoy the full blessing of that inheritance.
“Be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)