Nibshan and Engedi - Joshua 15:62

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 “Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor,  and Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages: Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages. In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah”, and in chapter fifteen and verse sixty-two of Joshua we learn about, “Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi” where we read,

And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages.

The verse reads, “And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Nibshan" whose name means “soft soil” and was “one of the six cities of Judah which were in the wilderness”, “and the city of Salt” or “and the dwelling place or place of waking known as Salt” which was a place in the desert of Judah” “and Engedi” whose name means “fount of the kid” and was “a town in the wilderness of Judah on the western shore of the Dead Sea”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Nibshan, the city of Salt and Engedi” were among the places in the “wilderness” that were given to the “tribe of Judah”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “six cities with their villages.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “six cities” which means “six dwelling places of places of waking” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the six cities’, settled abodes or towns” Joshua or the writer added the “six” dwelling places along with their settled abodes within the desert to the people of “Judah” within the promise land. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover three more places which were given to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land. “Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi” were among “six” dwelling places and their towns were locations where the people of “Judah” would raise their families and give their worship to God. God wants us to worship Him, and because we have sin in our lives that separates 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. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) When He rose from the grave after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life with Him and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we bless and please Him wherever we are located in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares what happened with, “the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem”, 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".