So much of these chapters are detailed boundary lines, and I urge you to read them yourselves and I will summarize the text quite a lot.

Joshua Chapter 15

The land given to the tribe of Judah reached southward to the border of Edom, with the wilderness of Zin being its southernmost point. Verses 2-11 describe the boundaries. The western boundary was the shoreline of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Lord had instructed Joshua to assign some of Judah's land to Caleb and he was given the city of Hebron where the Anakites (giants) lived. After Caleb fought against the people living in the town of Dehir, formerly Kiriath-sepher, he said " I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher." Othneil, the son of Caleb's brother Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othneil's wife.

When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for an additional field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What is it? What can I do for you?"
She said, "Give me a further blessing. You have been kind enough to give me land in the Negev; please give me springs as well." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
The towns given to Judah are outlines in verses 21-62. But in Jerusalem, the Jebusites could not be driven out and they remained in their city.

Joshua Chapter 16

The allotment of land to the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan in specific terms. See verses 1-10 for the precise way the Lord laid out the towns and land given to the tribe of Ephraim.

They did, however fail to drive the Canaanites out of Gezer, and thus the people of Gezer lived as slaves to the people of Ephraim.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Othniel became Israel's first judge after Joshua's death (Judges 1:13, 3:9-11). He played an important role in reforming Israel by chasing away an oppressive enemy army and bringing peace to the land. Thus Caleb's legacy of faithfulness continued to the next generation.

Acsah asked for springs of water because her land was in the south and was arid. Her father probably granted her request as part of her wedding gift.

In chapter 16, Joseph was one of Jacob's sons and did not have a tribe named after him, because as the oldest son of Jacob's wife Rachel, he received a double portion of the inheritance. It was given to his sons Ephraim and Manasseh, whom he considered his own (Genesis 48:5). The largest territory and greatest influence in the northern half of Israel belonged to their tribes.

When the Israelites failed to drive out some people, this went against the instructions of the Lord and would cause problems down the line because these were pagans who worshiped pagan Gods.

How do these chapters relate to us today: Simple- OBEDIENCE. Obedience in what the Lord told them is just as urgent to us in today's world. God was explicit in guiding the Israelites. He is explict in guiding us in our daily lives. He asks for complete obedience, not meeting him halfway. No negotiations. He does this for our own good. We must keep the faith always and in return his love and goodness will shine on us and prepare us for everlasting life. Praise to HIM!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has gained four ounces, but there is still concern for her lungs.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.