Baalah, Iim and Azem - Joshua 15:29

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 the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur, and Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, and Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,  Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, and Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor, Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, and Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet, Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah”, and in chapter fifteen and verse twenty-nine of Joshua we learn about, “Baalah, and Iim, and Azem” where we read,

Baalah, and Iim, and Azem

The verse reads, “Baalah, and Iim, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Baalah” whose name means “mistress” and was “another name for Kirjath-jearim or Kirjath-baal; modern Kuriet el Enab and a town in the south of Judah, also called Balah and Bilhah”, “and Iim” whose name means “ruins” and was “a place or town in the desert in Judah”. Joshua or the writer included “Baalah and Iam” among the “cities” that were given to the “tribe of Judah”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Azem” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Azem” or Ezem whose name means “bone” and was “a city in the Nekeb of Judah afterwards allotted to Simeon”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Azem” was among the towns given to the “tribe of Judah”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how three more “cities”, “Baalah, Iim, and Azem”, were also bestowed upon the people of “Judah”. As with all these “cities”, their names are interesting to examine. “Mistress, ruins and bone” were the meanings for these locations, and God knew everyone who lived within them. God in an all-knowing, omniscient God, and He knows every person who lives where we live as well. God’s desire is to have a personal intimate relationship with everyone in the world, regardless of where they live. This relationship begins when we receive His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. As we yield to Him to be our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. 

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah”, 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".