Joshua 15 "Important Places"

Joshua 15 – “The importance of Hebron”

Check this out. A good friend of mine from Denver sent this to me this morning on Joshua 15. Just a continued reminder that God has always known what He's doing, is always in control, and has a continued plan for eternity. The details are stunning throughout history. Everything fits prophecy. Everything ultimately points to the cross. Here's what he wrote:

In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunnah a portion in Judah – Kirith Arba, that is, Hebron. (Joshua 15:13) I had a hunch that there was more to the giving of Hebron to Caleb than I was originally understanding. It was more than just giving a region to a faithful servant. It turns out that Hebron was hugely important to the Israelites. It contained the Cave of the Patriarchs, where Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah were buried. Obviously, this was a critical piece of land, and one that you would only trust to the most faithful and capable. I did some additional research on it this morning and include the following for your enjoyment:

Hebron is the second holiest city in Judaism, after Jerusalem. It is called in Arabic eth al Chalil, "The House of the Beloved," because Isaac, the beloved son of Abraham, was born and educated here, and, as appears from Genesis 22:1, resided also here a long time. It is situated in the portion of Judah, 20 English miles south from Jerusalem, in a valley (Gen. 37:14). The mountains which surround it are the highest points of the mountains of Judah, and are 2664 feet above the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a small town, or, more correctly speaking, a very large village, which consists of several divisions, each, so to say, constituting a village by itself. It contains several thousand Arabic inhabitants. On its eastern end is the cave of Machpelach Al Magr, i. e. the cave. It is also called the Fort of David, and is a very handsome and most ancient structure, built of immense stones, and surrounded with strong and high walls. It forms, in a measure, a fortress. Beneath the surface of the earth is the celebrated cave where the patriarchs lie buried. It is covered over with masonry, having a small opening on the top, through which the Mahomedans constantly lower burning lamps, and maintain there a perpetual light. Above this cavern is a mosque, built at a later date. Hebron became one of the principal centers of the Tribe of Judah, and the Judahite King David reigned in the city until the capture of Jerusalem, when the capital of the Kingdom of Israel was moved to that city.

Wow.