Joppa

On the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, in an ancient section of what is now Tel Aviv, lies one of the oldest cities in the world: Joppa (also called Jaffa and Yafo). Notable structures, including its port, date back thousands of years. Some claim Joppa was named after its founder following the universal flood: Noah’s son Japheth.

Many empires and people groups have controlled Joppa over the centuries. The apostle Peter ministered to a small Christian community God raised up there at the home of Simon the tanner. Acts 10 records the vision God gave Peter in Joppa, affirming His inclusion of Gentiles into the body of believers in Messiah Jesus.

But one of the most striking stories is the account of those who rejected Joppa. That’s the story of the tribe of Dan. When Joshua led the Israelites to conquer Canaan as God commanded, seven tribes did not immediately claim their inheritances, apparently because of the difficulty of conquering the remaining fortified cities. Joshua even chided them, asking how long they would delay taking the land God had provided (Josh. 18:2–3).

These tribes were given land by casting lots. Dan received its inheritance last: the coastal plain surrounding Joppa and the low foothills to the east, abutting the terrifying city-states of the Philistines and Amorites. Dan took the hill country but never conquered the coast, including Joppa. In fact, the book of Judges records the life of Samson the Danite, a story of Dan’s assimilation into Canaanite culture.

Ultimately, Dan rejected its mission altogether; uprooted itself; and sought greener pastures far to the north. In the process, the Danites became idol worshipers, corrupted a priest, and destroyed a people God never asked them to destroy (Judg. 18). The Danites rejected Joppa because the task God gave them looked too hard, and they took an easier path.

How often do we do likewise when the tasks God gives us look too difficult? Yet God’s mission for us often transcends the boundaries of our comforts or strengths to force us to depend on His help.

When God directs us, He will go with us. For the tasks He commands, He will provide the strength. He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of His presence and will never leave us or forsake us. Joppa is a reminder of what is possible when we truly trust in Him.

Photo: Adobe Stock

1 thought on “Joppa

  1. Thank you Dan! We were reading in Judges about the almost total destruction of the Danites after the gross sin of some of their men and their refusal to turn them over for destruction. Your comments helped to answer the question why.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Features

Antique fountain pen on parchment.

From the Editor May/Jun 2023

The Lord has been gracious to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (FOI) as we seek to proclaim biblical truth about Israel, the Messiah, and God’s Chosen People...

Inside View May/Jun 2023

On our tours to the Holy Land, I teach each group about modern Israel. Many Christians don’t realize what it took to bring a country into existence...

Doing the Right Thing

Within hours of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s midgame cardiac arrest in January, sports writers, reporters, and analysts around the country prefaced their remarks with...

Jerusalem of Gold

If you’ve never been to Jerusalem, it’s time you made the trip. But if you can’t go in person, I suggest you relax, put your feet up, and come with me...

Via Dolorosa

The traditional route Jesus traveled to His crucifixion, known in Latin as the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow), is debated. We know Jesus appeared before...

Happy Birthday, Israel!

In a small room in faraway British Mandate Palestine, Jewish statesman David Ben-Gurion rose to his feet before an assembly of Jewish dignitaries...


Share Your Story.
Has God used The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in your life? Share your story with us!
 

Subscription Options

1 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$9.99 every 1 year

1 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$19.99 every 1 year

2 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$19.99 every 2 years

2 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$39.99 every 2 years

3 Year Digital Subscription

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Download of Current Issue

$29.99 every 3 years

3 Year Digital with Archive Access

  • Free PDF Book Download - "What on Earth is God Doing?" by Renald Showers

  • Free Full-Issue Flipbook & PDF Downloads of Current Issue & select Archives

  • Complete Access to our Growing Archives

$59.99 every 3 years