The Uttermost Cities - Joshua 15:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-one of Joshua we learn about, “the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah” where we read,

And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah 

toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,

The verse reads, “And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the uttermost cities” which means “and the borders, extremities and outskirts of the dwelling places and towns” “of the tribe” or “belonging to the people group and clan” “of the children” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of Judah” or “belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer began to tell of the extremities of the borders of the dwelling places that were allotted to the “tribe of Judah”. 

 

The verse continues, “… toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “toward the coast” which means “to the border, landmark and space” “of Edom southward” or “belonging to Edom whose name means ‘red’ in a southern direction” “were Kabzeel” which means “existed Kabzeel whose name means ‘God gathers’ and was the most remote city of Judah; located in southern Judah on the border of Edom” “and Eder” whose name means “a flock” and was “a town in the extreme south of Judah on the border of Edom; site unknown”, “and Jagur” whose name means “he sojourns” and was “a town of Judah, one of those farthest to the south, on the frontier of Edom”. Joshua or the writer named “Kabzeel, Eder and Jagur” as dwelling places which were given to the “tribe of Judah” and were located in “the southern border of Edom”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover the first of the cities to be named that were given to the “tribe of Judah”. “Kabzeel, Eder and Jagur” were located in the southern direction on the border of “Edom”, and there were many more places that were to be added to them. God provided for the “tribe of Judah”, and as each of these locations are named, we are able to realize our Great God is more than capable of providing for us. (See Philippians 4:19) God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love toward us when He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we, like the “tribe of Judah”, will be able to receive all that He has for us according to His perfect will and plan.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".