I have been freshly impressed with the geographical content of the Book of Joshua. It’s nearly an atlas of the land of Canaan, the Promised Land!

In fact, chapter after chapter is given to delineating the land allotments of the various Tribes of Israel. With some specificity, I might add!

But today I’d like us to notice that of all the Tribes, JUDAH is discussed first!

Here’s how Joshua chapter 15 begins: “This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of JUDAH by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast.”

My question today, why Judah?

Really, why Judah first?

Maybe because of the bold little hero named Caleb! He was one of the twelve spies dispatched by Moses to investigate the Land. He (along with Joshua) also had faith enough to believe God could defeat the enemies and give Israel her rightful (based on God’s promises) Land. And Caleb wanted the area around Hebron, which was promptly awarded him!

Faith achieves much in God’s economy!

Oh yes, and Caleb was of the tribe of Judah. I’m thinking Judah was given her land (at least it was listed) first because Hebron is in her allotment.

Then another reason might have been the sheer size of the tribe of Judah! According to Numbers 26:22 Judah was the largest of all the tribes! (With 76,500 young men able to fight in the army!) Perhaps the lesson is this … the MORE you sacrificially give to God … the MORE prominence God pours upon you and your family! Judah, whose very name means “praise,” lavishly served God. At least at times he did.

Then last of all, but likely the number one reason, Judah was to be the royal tribe of Israel. Her kings were to issue from that branch of the Israelites. David was of Judah. Really all the legitimate Davidic Kings were. And Jesus our Saviour was out of the tribe of Judah as well!

Genesis 49:10 long ago prophesied such. These are among Jacob’s last words: “The sceptre shall not depart from JUDAH, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” Amen!

Wow!

I think First Samuel 2:30 properly sums our Lesson today. “Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, THEM THAT HONOR ME I WILL HONOUR, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Amen!

Honor God … He will honor you!

Encouraging!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell