Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib - Joshua 15:43

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, and Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, and Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages: Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-three of Joshua we learn about, “Jiphtah, Ashnah, and Nezib” where we read,

And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

The verse reads, “And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Jiphtah" whose name means “he opens” and was “named after a son of Gilead and a concubine and the judge who defeated the Ammonites; after the victory because of a vow taken before the battle he sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering and was given to Judah”, “and Ashnah” whose name means “I will cause change” and was “a town in Judah”. Joshua or the writer named “Jiphtah and Ashnah” as dwelling places which were allotted to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Nezib,” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Nezib” which means “garrison or pillar” and was “a city in the lowlands of Judah on the border of Philistia”. Joshua or the writer added “Nezih” to the places given to the people of Judah.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer about three more cities that were provided to the “tribe of Judah”. “Jiphtah, Ashnah and Nezib” were added to the number of places within the promise land that were given the “Judah’s” people. God loves to provide for His people, and because sin within us has separated us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and able to receive whatever He desires to give to us.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah”, 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".