Every word of Scripture is important and we must live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). Cities and the countryside are both important and they need each other. Both can be good or bad places to live. Judah's land was divided into counties (mishpacha). Judah failed to drive the Philistines out of their coastal cities and the Jebusites out of Jerusalem. This was a failure of faith and action. We must not give Satan a foothold but drive the enemy out of our lives completely.

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. He was born in weakness in human flesh and raised with power in the Spirit. We have life — with power — in Christ.

Othniel is a model man of faith, a model soldier and suitor. He patiently waited for a helpmeet. He led and sacrificed for his bride. And his faith rejected the wisdom of the world. Achsah is a model woman of faith. She was a woman who took initiative. She knew how to express her ideas in a way that honored others. And she was future oriented.

Caleb's faith helped him not to be a slave of the past, and was based on God's word and promises. He trusted God to use the share that he got, to make the most pf what he had. Faith often has to reconquer what has been conquered before. Caleb trusted God by possessing all his possessions. He also groomed leaders to walk by faith, and his faith was passed on to his daughter Achsah.

Our God is a promise-keeping God with a long-term perspective. He is sovereign over the lot. Borders are useful for tribes/states and clans/counties. Judah received the best portion because the Lord Jesus Christ would come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:8-12).