Joshua 15:19-32: a reflection

19She said, “Give me a blessing. Because you have set me in the land of the South, give me also springs of water.” So he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. 20This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families. 21The farthest cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the border of Edom in the South were Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (also called Hazor), 26Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29Baalah, Iim, Ezem, 30Eltolad, Chesil, Hormah, 31Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain, and Rimmon. All the cities are twenty-nine, with their villages.

As the land is divided, the inheritance of the tribe of Judah is carefully recorded, town by town, each place named and counted, a settled portion given to God's people. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the account says, and it goes on to name the cities one by one, twenty-nine cities with their villages, and more. What might look like a dry list is in fact a record of God's faithfulness in giving his people a secure inheritance, an allotted place of their own, carefully recorded so that each portion was settled and known. God kept his promise, giving his people a settled inheritance, a place of their own. This shows God's faithfulness in giving his people a secure inheritance and place. God gave his people a settled, recorded inheritance. God faithfully gave his people their allotted place. Each portion was named and settled, a secure inheritance. God keeps his promise, giving his people a place of their own.

Notice what lies behind the careful list of towns. God had promised his people a land, an inheritance; and here that promise is being fulfilled, the land divided among the tribes, each given its portion, recorded town by town so that the inheritance was settled and secure. The careful naming and counting of the cities reflects that this was a real, settled gift: not a vague promise, but an actual inheritance, allotted and recorded, a place of their own for God's people to dwell in. This reflects God's faithfulness in giving his people a secure place and inheritance. And it points forward, for the Scriptures speak of an inheritance God gives his people that is even more secure, an eternal inheritance kept for us, a place prepared. As God gave Israel a settled inheritance in the land, so he gives his people a sure and lasting inheritance in himself, a place of our own with him. We are not left without a portion; God gives his people a secure inheritance. God gives his people a secure and settled inheritance, then and now. Our inheritance in God is sure, as Israel's portion was settled. God faithfully gives his people a place of their own with him. We have a secure inheritance kept for us by God.

That is worth resting in, for God faithfully gives his people a secure inheritance and place of their own, as he gave Israel their allotted portions, carefully recorded, and gives his people a lasting inheritance in himself. We can feel we have no secure place, no portion, no settled inheritance; but God gave Israel a real, recorded inheritance in the land, and gives his people a sure and eternal inheritance kept for them. God gives his people a secure place. When you feel without a settled place, remember that God gives his people a secure inheritance, an eternal portion with him. Rest in the truth that God faithfully gives his people a secure inheritance and place of their own, as he gave the tribe of Judah its carefully recorded portion, town by town, a settled and secure inheritance in the land; for what might look like a dry list of cities is in fact a record of God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promise to give his people a real, allotted inheritance, not a vague promise but an actual place of their own, recorded so that each portion was settled and known, and this points forward to the even more secure inheritance God gives his people in himself, an eternal inheritance kept for us and a place prepared, so that we are not left without a portion but have in God a sure and lasting inheritance, and when we feel without a settled place we can rest in knowing that God gives his people a secure inheritance and an eternal portion with him.

Lord, as the land is divided, the inheritance of the tribe of Judah is carefully recorded, town by town, each place named and counted, a settled portion given to your people. This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, the account says, and it goes on to name the cities one by one. What might look like a dry list is in fact a record of your faithfulness in giving your people a secure inheritance, an allotted place of their own, carefully recorded so that each portion was settled and known. You kept your promise, giving your people a settled inheritance, a place of their own. Show me what lies behind the careful list of towns. You had promised your people a land, an inheritance; and here that promise is being fulfilled, each tribe given its portion, recorded so that the inheritance was settled and secure. The careful naming reflects that this was a real, settled gift: not a vague promise, but an actual inheritance, a place of their own for your people to dwell in. This reflects your faithfulness in giving your people a secure place. And it points forward, for the Scriptures speak of an inheritance you give your people that is even more secure, an eternal inheritance kept for us, a place prepared. As you gave Israel a settled inheritance in the land, so you give your people a sure and lasting inheritance in yourself. I am not left without a portion. Take that to my heart, for you faithfully give your people a secure inheritance and place of their own. When I feel I have no secure place, no settled portion, help me remember that you give your people a secure inheritance, Lord, an eternal portion with you, kept for me, as you gave Israel their allotted place in the land, so that I rest in the sure and lasting inheritance I have in you.