Judges 1:16
The Continuing Conquest of Canaan (continued)
16 And the descendants of the Kenite, Moses’ father-in-law, went up with the people of Judah from the city of palms into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the Negeb near Arad, and they went and settled with the people.
In today’s passage, we learn about Moses’ father-in-law, the descendants of the Kenites, have settled and stayed with the Hebrew people. The Kenites were first mentioned in Genesis 15:18-21 where God promised the Kenite land to Abraham. In Exodus 2:16, Jethro, the priest of Midian, gave Moses a haven when he was in exile from Egypt. While in Midian, Moses married Jethro’s daughter, Zipporah, and stayed with Jethro for forty years in the desert. After the exile, Jethro brought Zipporah with Moses’ two children to meet with Moses as the nation was sojourning in the wilderness (Exodus 18:1-18). At this time in our story in Judges 1:16. Moses and his successor, Joshua, have died. The Kenite’s descendants, Moses’ father-in-law, stayed with the Hebrew nation. We know this because in our passage today, the Kenites were with the Hebrew nation in Jericho, which is called the city of palms. The Kenites went with Judah to the Negeb; that is, Kiriath-Arba, to capture it. While there and since it is in the remote desert area, the Kenites stayed in Arba in the territory of Judah.
Some may wonder why God allowed some nations in Caanan to live and others were devoted to destruction. God is a loving and just God. The Hebrews were slaves in Egypt for over 400 years because the time of the Caananites had not come to fruition. God, by His mercy, gives people a chance to repent. Some do, like the Kenites and a mixed multitude of Egyptians (Exodus 12:38) who also feared God and left with the Israelites during the exodus. Rahab and her family in Jericho were also saved because of her faith, and for her showing mercy to the Israelites (Joshua 2:1-24). Others, because of their sin, pride, rebellion against God, and their worship of false idols, were judged and destroyed. God gave them 400 years of mercy so they repent. In the same way, we also must take heed and repent immediately. No one knows how long God’s timetable is for each person to repent and come to Him for salvation. Thankfully, we can rejoice because ‘today is the day for salvation!’ Nevertheless, so sadly, some turn the mercy of God into a reason to continue in their sin. I’m afraid that’s not right. Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Today is the day of repentance, for all who believe!
Additionally, we must remember that God chose and called Abraham, and through him, all nations will be blessed (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14). This great missionary call of God’s people is throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelations. We also, who are children of Abraham by faith, have the same call. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 28:18-20,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” As Jesus has commanded, and as the Apostle Paul has demonstrated, we also must go and tell.
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Most Merciful Lord God and Savior, I praise and worship You for Your patience and loving-kindness. You are merciful! I confess that I have not been bold in my witness for You. Forgive me, Lord God. Instill in me a reverential fear and a desire to tell everyone about the saving grace to all who come to Jesus Christ by faith! Empower me to speak boldly about the name of Jesus to everyone I meet. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!
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Rescue the Perishing, by Frances J. Crosby in 1869
