Joshua 15:20-62

The recital of the names of the cities of Judah ' s lot take up all these verses. I think it unnecessary to make any observation upon them, excepting in this general way. The Reader of discernment will observe, that while the sacred historian mentions a certain number, the enumeration one by one as we read then doth not correspond. But this apparent difference will be easily accounted for if we only suppose, what is very probable; that some of them are not cities but hamlets or villages: and we cannot in this remote age form an opinion to which the title of city or village belonged. I think it more important to call the Reader ' s attention to a circumstance, which may not perhaps so immediately strike him, and yet the moment I mention it he will see its interesting nature. I mean that, as in the province of Judah ' s dominions our Lord in after ages was born, Bethlehem was the highly honoured spot of Jesus' birth, but yet is not in this list enumerated. Was it because Bethlehem at that time was not a city, or was it because it should be like the Redeemer himself, obscure and unnoticed? Dearest Lord! how dost thou by thy glorious example, put to the blush all that we think great and excellent? The prophet in after ages sung of Bethlehem on Jesus's account, and then pointed to what alone made it excellent. Micah 5:2.