Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means. Let's see where this takes us!
Joshua 15 and 16
I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
The first of two items of interest in Joshua 15 is that Caleb put up his daughter Achsah literally as a "trophy wife" to "whoever attacks Kiriath-sepher and takes it." His nephew took it. She asked her new husband to ask Caleb for a field, apparently as an additional reward. And then she asked her father directly, “Give me a present; since you have set me in the land of the Negeb, give me springs of water as well.” The Negeb is a desert, and she apparently wasn't thrilled with moving there. Her request was granted.
Just as Caleb asked of Joshua and received, so Achsah asked of Caleb and received.
The other point of interest is that Jerusalem had not been conquered. I didn't think that was clear in previous chapters, where I got the impression that all of Canaan was taken.
Likewise in Chapter 16 the Ephraimites "did not, however, drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived within Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labor."
I wonder if the towns in which the Canaanites were not driven out will be a thorn in the side. If my interpretation is true that Israel represents the spirit and Canaan represents the flesh, this means the flesh has not been entirely subdued by the spirit.
Sounds like you and me.
James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.
(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)