Giants in the Earth
Part viii
Hebron and Kirjatharba in Judah
— Our Conflict —
In Part viii we will be examining the third time that Kirjatharba is mentioned in Scripture.
Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, (Joshua 15:52)
And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, (Joshua 15:53)
And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
The Word Kirjatharba Recorded Six Times
And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Genesis 23:2)
Read this article posted in http://thegenesisepic.com/giants-in-the-earth-part-vi-anakims-anak-arba/
And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. (Joshua 14:15)
You can follow this article through this link http://thegenesisepic.com/giants-in-the-earth-part-vii-hebron-and-kirjatharba/
⇒ THE CURRENT STUDY
Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, (Joshua 15:52)
and Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, (Joshua 15:53)
And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. (Judges 1:10)
And for the villages, with their fields, [some] of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and [in] the villages thereof, (Nehemiah 11:25)
I suggest that you start at the beginning if you have never been to this site or series before. Since this is an on going series you will be totally lost unless you play catch up. http://thegenesisepic.com/giants-in-the-earth-part-i/
For those of you who are continuing on — do not skip this section because you see some strange names. ALL Scripture is inspired!
Finally — let us begin. Part viii. Chapter 15 of the book of Joshua is where the third mention of Kirjatharba and Hebron is documented. In order to better grasp Part viii, we should understand how this Chapter is arranged. Joshua Chapter has 63 verses, and it divides neatly into three sections: the first section (verses 1-12) describes the tribal territory promised to the tribe of Judah along its outside borders; the second section (verses 13-19) is the inspiring description of how Caleb, of the tribe of Judah, acquired his individual portion in the mountains of Judah overrun by the giants of Anak, and passed this territory onto his daughter. If there are any feminists reading this (and I doubt it) they would be able to rejoice in his daughter’s request to add to her inheritance. This may be for another time. The third section (the one we will be involved with) begins at verse 20 and continues on to the end of the Chapter.
Within this third section of Chapter 15, there is another division: ten subdivisions record ten distinct areas. Within each of these ten divisions, each contains a set number of cities with its suburbs or villages. Did I confuse you? It is very easy to follow these divisions as each end with the total number of cities with their suburbs. For example: nine cities with their villages, this is how our Part viii ends.
Why bother with names and the number of cities within each division? BECAUSE — there is a message, and a lesson, and a precept within each name, division and number! I wish that you all were sitting in my classroom right now — because you would be able to hear my voice and I could look into your eyes and see if you are with me, and if you are understanding how important every word, name and number is in the word of God. The Bible is the most exciting, energizing and engrossing book ever! No human, no finite mind, could have ever conceived its unity of thought that transcends time and space and eternity. If there is only one thing that you go away with after reading, may it be a love for the Word of God, may it be the realization that God, through God the Holy Spirit, has written a book just for you!
Our section is section six (6) and it lists nine cities.
Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, (Joshua 15:52)
And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, (Joshua 15:53)
And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
Even before we get to the meaning of the names of these nine cities, God has used a small key to this 6th section, and that is the number itself. Six is the number of mankind, the number of man in his low estate; the names themselves will reflect on this number. But first, remember where this territory of nine cities is planted: Judah
Judah
This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families. (Joshua 15:20) The Lord Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. The name of Judah is mentioned 754 times in the Old Testament, and in the New Testament 1 time, and as ‘Juda’ ten times. Let’s look at just a few verses about Judah.
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (Hebrews 8:8)
For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (Hebrews 7:14)
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5)
Judah, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. (Genesis 49:8)
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be]. (Genesis 49:10)
In Judah [is] God known: his name [is] great in Israel. (Psalm 76:1)
But (God) chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved. (Psalm 78:68)
Judah was his sanctuary, [and] Israel his dominion. (Psalm 114:2)
Out of all the twelve tribes, Jehovah chose Judah. Out of Judah, His Messiah would be born. Out of Judah God would be known, God would be revealed to man out of the tribe of Judah. Out of Judah the preeminent One would come. He would be the lawgiver, He would hold the scepter of royalty, and rule, and government, He would be the true sanctuary (the true High Priest) of the Almighty God. Just the mention of this name implies God’s accepted One, God’s chosen one, God’s approved one. Judah’s name means ‘Praise.’ By the way, Judah is mentioned seven (7) times in Chapter 15 of Joshua. God presents His perfect order in His number seven as it relates to His chosen tribe. Don’t you just love the way that the Spirit of God intertwines the threads in His tapestry?
Using the Key in the Meaning of the Names
What is in this section in the territory of the tribe of Judah that God wants us to see?
Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, (Joshua 15:52)
And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, (Joshua 15:53)
And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
Arab
The meaning of the first name of Arab is ‘ambush’ — to lurk, to lie in wait. a court.
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. (Psalm 119:110).
The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah. (Psalm 140:5)
For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (Luke 21:35)
And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26)
Humanity has fine-tuned the ambush. We see the ambush daily. The entrapment technique is constantly used by the propagandists on ‘propaganda news’ casts. Scripture calls an ambush, a snare, a trap, to lurk, and to lay wait. An ambush does not always have to be a physical occurrence. Sometimes it can happen at a family gathering, or at a company celebration. Anytime and anywhere the attackers can ambush, but they usually are only brave as a group, also known as a tag team. You know what I mean, when you are relaxed and feeling safe — that is the dream scene for the ambusher.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: (Proverbs 1:11)
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. (Jeremiah 5:26)
As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. (Jeremiah 5:27)
From the first breath Christ took as an infant (God manifested in the flesh) He was hunted by Herod, and hundreds of children were slaughtered in the failed attempt to kill the long awaited and promised Messiah.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. (Matthew 2:13)
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. (Matthew 2:16)
During the ministry of Christ on earth, His enemies (the religious and political leaders of Israel) counseled together on how they could ambush Him, and put Him to death. The Pharisees were the religious party, and the Herodians were political.
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: (Matthew 27:1)
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, (Psalm 2:2)
And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him. (Mark 3:6)
Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. (Matthew 12:14)
The very first name in our group of nine names shows the hatred within the heart of mankind against his Creator and his God. That makes a very nice lead into the remaining names to show the true character of what is in the number of mankind (the number 6). Remember, that the key that we are using is in the number of this section, the number 6.
This is a spiritual message using the names of actual geographical locations. Who first named this city? I do not know. Why was this name chosen by its inhabitants? I do not know. Was this the basic character of this city? I do not know. God doesn’t give us any more information in Scripture than this one and only mention of the city of Arab; therefore, its meaning in a spiritual sense is what I will focus on.
The meaning of Arab — to ambush, lurk, lie in wait — also has another root meaning, it is the meaning of a court. If you want to learn how you can ambush by a court, go no further than what has been happening in our courts in the United States. A few have been arrested, charged (on false charges) and jailed on very minor points of contact, finances, or whom they support as President. While many others (who have committed treason) are not even considered for any charge. This is warfare with another name: court control, manipulation, or ambush by court.
Dumah
Dumah has the meaning of silence, to be brought to silence, as in silent through death, to be brought low as in being destroyed — the silence in death. It could also carry the idea of silenced by intimidation. Ambushers use this technique to contain the truth or to silence the voices of truth. A note: the name Dumah is mentioned four times in Scripture; again, let me remind you that four is the number of the world and earth dwellers. Also take note that Dumah is mentioned twice (Genesis 25:14; 1 Chronicles 1:30) as one of the sons of Ishmael. It is mentioned once as a location in Edom (Isaiah 21:1), and once as a location in Judah. Consider carefully the hidden meanings behind these names as it is associated twice with Ishmael (the rebel son of Abraham) and with Edom (the rebel nation against God and His people Israel) and in our scripture section it is also brought to our attention as a location with eight other towns in the tribe of Judah.
He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. (1 Samuel 2:9)
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, [and] let them be silent in the grave. (Psalm 31:17)
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. (Psalm 115:17) But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD. (Psalm 115:18)
For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. (Isaiah 38:18)
All mankind is silenced in death. Let me rephrase that ‘all unrepentant and children of wrath are silenced in death.’ For the children of God, the sons of God, sleep, and are not silenced in the death of Adam (the flesh).
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:26)
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 8:13)
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:22)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:13)
Eshean
Eshean: To rest or rely on one’s self — to support oneself, — as ‘I will rely on myself.’ This independence as self reliance is primarily what this nation (the United State of America) was partly formed by; however, we are not looking at Eshean as a good thing, but as contrary to God Almighty because God desires that humanity would see and understand their need to rely only on their Creator. Yes, God gave us survival skills, and the desire to help ourselves in working to feed ourselves, but our reliance on God has been overshadowed by our pride in our accomplishments, and by our wealth, and by our pseudo intellectualism. Eshean becomes another step away from God.
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. (Psalm 44:6)
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; (Psalm 49:6)
[It is] better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)
I say, [sayest thou], (but [they are but] vain words) [I have] counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? (Isaiah 36:5)
They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye [are] our gods. (Isaiah 42:17)
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;(1 Timothy 6:17)
Janum
Janum: To sleep, to slumber from drowsiness. This name occurs only once in Scripture, but its location tells a story. As the fourth town named it is fittingly symbolic of the spiritual state of mankind: worldlings living life day by day in their willful state of spiritual sleep unable to see the truth of the Word of God through drowsy eyes burdened by the heaviness of sin.
His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. (Isaiah 56:10)
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (Revelation 11:8)
Bethtappuah
Bethtappuah – This is an extremely interesting name. <Bethtappuah — Beth Tappuwach> – It is ‘Beth’ <‘house’> á the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet tagged together with the concept of that which is pleasant or fragrant; however, when looking at the primitive root of Tappuwach there are some very interesting variations such as it can refer to almost any form of home or house, but especially it is connected with children (the nurturing, and care of children, and the continuation of and strengthening of family ties). This sounds so nice, so pleasant; however, let us take a closer look at this fifth town mentioned in our section. There is another part of the primitive root of Bethtappuah that is connected to being ‘puffed up,’ and ‘inflated’ up to a point of being so extremely inflated that the object becomes ‘snuffed out’ or extinguished.
Let us attempt to put this together by the direction of the Spirit of God. In Bethtappuah there are family generational ties in a house or home with what not only appears pleasant, but fragrant to the smell and pleasant to the taste. Bethtappuah (in the totality of the name) means ‘house of the apple,’ ‘house of apples,’ ‘the apple house,’ ‘house of the breather,’ and ‘fragrance.’ There are two sides to this name of Bethtappuah. In that it is the fifth town to be recorded I see the position of the grace of God in His blessings on a people not worthy of His grace (we all are not worthy of His blessings and that is exactly what grace is). (4 <the world> + 1 (the Godhead bodily in divine strength) = 5 (the grace of God offered to man in the divine strength of God). Then on the other side of this number I see this (4 <the world> + 1 (the self reliant one, self without God) = 5 (man in his own strength outside of the divine strength of God).
Humanity (without God) believes (in his delusion) that he has created his own pleasant home in this world. Mankind trains his children to believe in and live in this same delusion. Humanity can be surrounded by the finest in music and the arts, he can cover himself with the softest textured textiles, he can dine on the delicacies from the rich bounties from the earth or from the seas, BUT (without God) he is still a sinner, he is still filthy and dirty and an empty lost soul.
They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3)
But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (Revelation 22:11)
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)
All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. (Proverbs 16:2)
For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. (Isaiah 28:8)
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
Aphekah
Aphekah means ‘restraint,’ ‘fortress,’ ‘strength,’ ‘to force,’ ‘to contain or restrain self,’ violence is implied with all these words. The sixth town mentioned has the meaning of violence attached to its root meanings. I see a very political town restraining its citizens by force. The following verse can be the mission statement for politicians and government bureaucrats. They speak of health care, but do not care about health. They speak of the financially broken, but care only for their own financial welfare. They speak of those who have been disenfranchised, but care only about their own privileges and positions of power — in order to get to this state of affairs God had to be removed from the thoughts of the people.
The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. (Ezekiel 34:4)
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. (Psalm 10:4)
Humtah
The name Humtah means ‘lowliness,’ ‘place of lizards,’ and ‘to creep as a snail.’ Another fascinating name, (you don’t think so?). Here we go. . . . I don’t think that I would appreciate being a citizen of a town called Humtah. The only lower point that can be reached is below the ground, now that is really low. How low can they go? An interesting point (I think) is that is the seventh town to be mentioned. Still not interested? Seven is the number connected to God in His perfection and completeness. Yet, here in Joshua Chapter 15, the number seven is connected to the lowest point that a man can achieve and that is to ‘creep as a snail.’ This is where mankind is today without God. Mankind or ‘filthkind’ continually finds more ways to sin. ‘Filthkind’ is habitually driven to seek more ways to prove that he is ‘filth.’ There is no act beneath his thoughts that he will not commit. As God is the completeness of perfection, mankind or ‘filthkind’ is the completeness of worthlessness. Here we have two sides of the same number. God is perfect, and mankind without God is perfect in his worthlessness. God destroyed an entire world because humanity went as low as it could go in sin.
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (Genesis 6:6)
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (Genesis 6:7)
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Matthew 15:19)
heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)
How low can mankind go? As low as his evil master, Satan. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: (Genesis 3:14) They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. (Micah 7:17) The Spirit of God addresses these haters of God as ‘worms.’ This was Humtah.
Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron
The eighth city named is Kirjatharba, I think that I have already written much about this name; therefore, I will concentrate on the number eight as it relates to this one city with two names. The Spirit of God clearly joins these two cities together: Kirjatharba was a royal city of the giants, but God took it away from them, and made it His royal city. Kirjatharba was a location built on man’s ego and violence, but God not only renamed it He also remade it to be a place of communion, fellowship, and a building block to His glory, and to the glory of Israel. The main point to understand is that nothing is impossible with God. The earth is His, all creation belongs to the Creator, and when it is for His glory and for the people of His choosing God can build anew on and set aside that which is ruined. In this we symbolically see resurrection, and regeneration.
When anyone is born again, it is not a renewal or a make over; it is truly coming into the world again as a new being born by the Spirit of God within. Kirjatharba and Hebron was an actual physical location built by the descendants of Cain (the rebel) and occupied for ages with the prime examples of humanity under slavery to sin. There were fierce battles fought at Kirjatharba to keep this city of giants from being taken and falling into the possession of the rightful owner: God. Think of all this in terms of spiritual reality of the battle between good and evil. The battle that we are in is truly a spiritual reality, and for many it becomes a suffering conflict of physical affliction. The giants do not give up territory easily, nor do they give up souls without a contentious in-your-face confrontation. But, we know the end, Kirjatharba fell and will fall, and God will reign victoriously.
It was here at this location where Abram built an altar unto the LORD. (Genesis 13:18) It was here that David was annointed king over the house of Judah for seven years and six months. It was here where all the tribes of Israel united together and anointed David King. All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel [were] of one heart to make David king. (1 Chronicles 12:38)
In this eighth mention the Spirit of God is instructing us of the victory of our great King the Lord Jesus Christ. It was at the eighth day, resurrection day that Christ came forth as a witness of His triumph over the giants of sin and death. It was a day with two numbers: the number one and the number eight. It was the first day of the week and it was also the eighth day: a new beginning.
In Kirjatharba we are taught what and who the battle is against, and in Hebron we are instructed in why, what and who the battle is for.
Zior
Zior, the ninth city mentioned speaks volumes of the end of humanity, and the conclusion of man’s history on planet Earth. Humanity began at the highest point spiritually and physically with the intelligence to name the perfection of the creation around him, and to converse and fellowship directly face to face with his Creator. Inwardly and outwardly Adam was the best specimen of humanity, except for his sin. (This is another subject, and I will not pause here as there are many other articles written on our web sites about Adam and sin). I am trying to build a base line on the decline of humanity from man’s creation to his finality. Regression is the wrong word to describe humanity plunging downward because mankind never returned to the point of the zenith his creation physically or spiritually. From the point of the fall of mankind the driving force of his energy has been to improve his physical lot in life, to surround himself with objects that please his fallen senses, and to force his will over others.
The name Zior means ‘smallness’ – ‘to be brought low’ – ‘ignoble’ ‘to be made small’- and ‘base.’ This name matches its numerical order in the list of cities. I suggest that you go to the attached link to follow more on the meaning of number nine.
Zior is the culmination of the condition of man without God, resisting God’s Word, rebelling against God’s authority, and having an existence outside of the knowledge of the holy. Man sets empty standards to prove his intellectualism. He points to higher education as a step up to wisdom, but he dare not point to those who live by higher education as examples of wisdom for in those dark hallowed halls you will trip over lies, greed, sedition, cheating, corruption and moral depravity. Wisdom does not exist outside the framework of God’s Word. Because of the lack of discernment, the phrase ‘higher education’ has become another vestige of lost opportunity. True intellectual power and wisdom is knowledge of the holy.
Technology is not wisdom, talent and skill are not wisdom, and knowledge is not wisdom. Mankind has been made ‘small.’ Mankind has been ‘brought low.’ Mankind has been made ‘base.’ Mankind has become Zior. This is the end time for humanity. Adam has been brought to the end of himself by his own rebellious actions.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7)
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Job 28:28)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. (Psalm 111:10)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13) For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
Summary of the Cities
All of these nine cities with their villages were located in Judah, the tribe of ‘praise.’ Judah was the tribe singled out by Jehovah to be His sanctuary and His lawgiver: the temple was situated in Judah, and Jerusalem was its capital city. Out of Judah the Messiah appeared. Judah was to be the center of worship and fellowship. Our study section is to not only instruct, but to warn the children of God so that they can understand how the enemy of God sows seeds of evil among the wheat.
The character of Kirjatharba can be seen through the cities associated with it. The first city is called Arab, the lurker who waits to ambush the unsuspecting. The second city mentioned is Dumah, the silencer working to silence of voices of praise. Eshean is the third city representing the false teaching of removing God from the center of praise, and to draw worshipers of God away from being dependent on God, and the Spirit of God, to depending on man and man alone. Then Janum (drowsiness) descends on those who praise God. Once the eyes lower in slumber, the heart becomes drawn to the pleasures of life – Bethtappuah, the fifth city. The sixth city, Aphekah, is now prepared to enforce its power over those of praise by strength. When in authority and power Aphekah controls all actions within the framework of praise. And those of praise find that they have become creeping followers of God and His Christ instead of soaring worshipers. But, in the midst of failure God provides the eighth city of Hebron (once called Kirjatharba). It is in Him and only Him that those who praise and worship God have any form of recovery. Then the end of all those outside of Hebron (fellowship and communion with God) find that they are Zior – brought low, and facing the judgment of God.
For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low: (Isaiah 2:12)
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. (Isaiah 2:17)
And I will punish the world for [their] evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible. (Isaiah 13:11)
These nine cities had satellite villages to enforce the principle that we produce after our own kind. Evil is not content to remain isolated, but two of the goals of evil are to contaminate others and to propagate. These cities did not exist in a solitary environment, but their villages were just an extension of their sin. I cannot just close out at this point because I need to draw the lessons of these cities into our age of ruin: the age of Laodicea.
Our Conflict
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1)
Conflict and strife is not in the make up of Christians. We seek harmony and peace with those outside of the family of God; however, we do have an enemy and his name is Satan. There is an inward battle within all Christians that is described by Peter in 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;. This is a battle within that we deal with daily, but the greater conflict is the one between good and evil.
Chapter 6 (the number of mankind) in the book of Ephesians instructs us to realize that we are in a great conflict: the battle between good and evil.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
Many Christians would rather seek the pseudo shelter in the town of Bethtappuah (the playground) instead of the battleground. It is fitting that Laodicea needs to be brought into this article at this point because it is the last battle location for the Christian (and a very long battle it is). For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (Colossians 2:1) The true Church has been overtaken by the church of the Laodiceans. This church is the only one from the list of seven that is not described by location, but by ownership: the church of the Laodiceans. How is all this connected to the nine cities in our study? Don’t rush me! Christians need to comprehend how the enemy attacks, the approach and specialty and goals of our adversary. The Old Testament clearly lays out the parchments containing the enemies battle plans. Discernment is desperately needed in our conflict. The cities of Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages are all points of attack from Satan and his ministers hiding behind the fragrant words of Bethtappuah and self righteousness. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:4) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:5)
How did Laodicea fall into ruin? They did not fully appreciate the conflict they were engaged in. They were overcome by Arab (the lurker). And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (Galatians 2:4). Then these false brethren silenced those who opposed them with the truth by intimidation, and threats of removal from these meetings: this is Dumah.
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (3 John 1:9) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (3 John 1:10) Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (3 John 1:11)
Once the Laodiceans had been overcome by Arab and Dumah the next point of attack was Eshean removing God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ from preeminence as head of the Church. The Spirit of God was rejected as the moving force within the body of Christ, and He was replaced by the authority of the Nicolaitans. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. (Revelation 2:6) How quickly the deeds of the Nicolaitans became doctrine. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. (Revelation 2:15) Slumber and indifference overcame those in Laodicea. This was and is Janum. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6) And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)
The Laodiceans (without the energizing power of God the Holy Spirit to lead them) became easy victims to those who now controlled the teachings and doctrines within the Word of God. These false teachers became self proclaimed and noted scholars handling the Word of God deceptively. Without the righteous direction from the Word of God their energies were then directed into social and political activities, and redefined as ‘fellowship’ and ‘doing the will of God.’ At this point in the history of Laodicea Bethappuah became the goal of the ruined church. The mission statement of the leaders became ‘Keep them busy, keep them active, keep them giving, keep them happy, and most of all keep them ignorant of the Word of God.’ When any Overcomer rebelled or spoke out against the established church organization, then Aphekah became the new point of attack: violence against the voices and writings of the truth. Then Laodicea sank deep into the mire of corruption, ruin, and failure: Humtah. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17) To this very day, the world church and its followers still believes that it is rich, and needs nothing (except more money).
Lets attempt to tie it all together. Before the city of Zior is mentioned in the Old Testament we are drawn to Hebron. Before the judgment that Zior represents we are shown in just a few words (whenever Hebron is mentioned) the connection between Kirjatharba, Hebron, and Zior. How can we overcome Kirjatharba before we are swallowed up by Zior? The answer can be partly found in the Church preceding Laodicea, the Church in Philadelphia: the place of the love of God.
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (Revelation 3:11)
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12)
God overcame Kirjatharba with Hebron, and then the judgment came in Zior. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (Revelation 3:15) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) This is Hebron. This is true fellowship. This is oneness with God, and only in Him can we find peace, safety, and refuge from the judgment to come because Hebron is also a place of refuge.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7)
God willing, the next article will be on Hebron, the City of Refuge.
Giants in the Earth – Part ix
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron,
in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
© Copyright 2019, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)