The North Side Border - Joshua 18:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twelve of Joshua we learn how, “their border on the north side was from Jordan” where we read,

And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.

The verse reads, “And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and their border” or “and their, the tribe of Benjamin’s, edge, circuit and boundary” “on the north side” which means “in the corner or edge in the northern direction” “was from Jordan” or “existed separate and apart from Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”; “and the border” which means “and the edge, circuit and boundary” “went up to the side of Jericho” or “rose and ascended toward the corner or edge belonging to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan” “on the north side” which means “in the edge or corner in the northern direction”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary of the territory given to the “tribe of Benjamin” was from the “Jordan” river and arose alongside the edge of “Jericho” in the northern direction. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and went up” which means “and rose and ascended” “through the mountains westward” or “moving from one side to the other in the risings above the plains and range of mountains in the western direction”; “and the goings out thereof” which means “and the border, extremity and end” “were at the wilderness” or “existed in the uninhabited land, pasture and open field” “of Bethaven” which means “belonging to Bethaven whose name means ‘house of vanity’ and was a city east of Bethel, site unknown”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary to the territory given to the “tribe of Benjamin” ascended in between the risings above the plain in the western direction, and the extremities of the boundary was in the desert plains belonging to “Bethaven”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the boundaries of the land that was apportioned to “the tribe of Benjamin”. Not only was their northern boundary from the “Jordan” river, but it arose to the edge of “Jericho” in the north as well, and ascended in between the risings of the plains in a western direction whose extremities were in the desert plain of “Bethaven”. Although we may not be personally aware of these boundaries, God was, and He knew exactly where He wanted the people of “Benjamin” to be. He knows our lives as well, and because we all have sin in our lives, (See Romans 3:23) and those sin lead to death, (See Romans 6:23) He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross in our place and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so our lives will be pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua or the writer says, “the border went over from there toward Luz”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Lot of Benjamin - Joshua 18:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua dispatched men, “and the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh. And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eleven of Joshua we learn how, “the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families” where we read,

And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families: 

and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.

The verse reads, “And the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the lot” or “and the portion, recompense or destiny” “of the tribe of the children of Benjamin” which means “pertaining to the clan or people group belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’ and was Jacob's and Rachel's youngest son, Joseph's full brother and the progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin” “came up according to their families” or “arose and enter in keeping with their, the tribe of Benjamin’s, kindred, kinsmen and relatives”. Joshua or the writer shared how the allotment given to the offspring belonging to “Benjamin” arose in keeping with their kinsmen and relatives. 

 

The verse continues, “and the coast of their lot came forth between the children of Judah and the children of Joseph.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and the coast of their lot” which means “and the edge or border belonging to their, the tribe of Benjamin’s, portion or share” “came forth” or “departed and proceeded” “between the children of Judah” which means “among or in the midst of the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the son of Jacob by Leah and were the tribe that descended from him” “and the children of Joseph” or “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added” and was the elder son of Jacob by Rachel and the progenitor of the tribe of Joseph”. Joshua or the writer shared how the border of the territory given to the “tribe of Benjamin” proceeded in the midst of the offspring of “Judah” and “Joseph”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how Joshua gave the portion of the promise land to the people of “Benjamin” and their relatives, and the border of their territory was in the midst of the offspring of the tribes of “Judah” and “Joseph”. God provided this land to them, and He knew exactly where they would be. He has a plan for us as well, and our relationship with Him begins when we receive His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be resurrected from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will not only be our comforter, but will also guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so our lives are pleasing to Him wherever He places us in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 17:28)

Next time we learn how, “their border on the north side was from Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Passing Through the Land - Joshua 18:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua dispatched men and told them to, “describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh. And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh”., and in chapter eighteen and verse ten of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD” where we read,

And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: 

and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

The verse reads, “And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” or “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “cast lots for them” which means “threw pebbles for making decision on behalf of them, the seven tribes of Israel” “in Shiloh” or “within the location of Shiloh whose name means ‘place of rest’ and was a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up” “before the LORD” which means “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” threw pebbles for making decisions on behalf of the seven tribes in “Shiloh” in the presence of Jehovah God. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and there Joshua” which means “and in that location Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’” “divided the land” or “apportioned, allotted, assigned and distributed the territory, district and region” “unto the children of Israel” which means “to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “according to their divisions” or “in keeping with their, Israel’s, parts, courses, classes and allotments. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” distributed the territory to the offspring of “Israel” in keeping with their clans and tribes.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the time had come to distribute the territory that was searched out by the “three men” from each tribe of “Israel” who were dispatched to make a record of what they saw. “Joshua” threw pebbles that would give him direction in how to divide the land among the seven tribes who had not received their inheritance within the promise land as yet, and the apportionment would be in keeping with their tribes and people. God knew where each of these people groups would live, and He gave them their inheritance. God will give us an inheritance of forgiveness of sins and eternal life when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God loves us, knows what is best for us and will give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live in keeping with His ways that please Him and receives all He desires to provide when we simply trust in, rely upon and cling to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:18)

Next time Joshua or the writer says, “the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Passing Through the Land - Joshua 18:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north,  You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God. And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh”, and in chapter eighteen and verse nine of Joshua we learn how, “the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities” where we read,

And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.

The verse reads, “And the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities into seven parts in a book, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the men went” or “and the male human beings who were chosen left and departed” “and passed through the land” which means “and walked, proceeded and traversed the district, territory and region”, “and described it by cities” or “and made record of and wrote about it, the land, through the encampments, guarded places and towns” “into seven parts in a book” which means “in seven portions, shares and divisions within a missive, document or writing”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “three men who were chosen from the tribes of Israel” departed, traversed the territory, made record of the land, divided the land into seven portions and put their finding within a missive or document to give to “Joshua”. 

 

The verse continues, “… and came again to Joshua to the host at Shiloh.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and came again to Joshua” which means “and returned to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “to the host” or “to the encampment or camp of the armed people of Israel” “at Shiloh” which means “in the location of Shiloh whose name means ‘place of rest’ and was a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up”. Joshua or the writer shared how the dispatched “men” returned to “Joshua” and the encampment located in “Shiloh”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the men who were chosen by the tribes of Israel did as they were charged, and went through the territory, recorded what they saw, divided the land into “seven” portions, put their findings in a document and presented it to “Joshua”. God’s plan for dividing the promise land among the people of Israel was coming together, and there were practical acts that needed to be followed. “Joshua” and these men from Israel obeyed, and now the distribution of the properties was to be carried out. God also has a plan of salvation for the people of the world through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to be obedient to that truth as we live in His presence and fulfill His desire to be pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Men Arose and Went Away - Joshua 18:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north. You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eight of Joshua we learn how Joshua said, “the men arose and went away” where we read,

And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, saying, Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.

The verse reads, “And the men arose, and went away: and Joshua charged them that went to describe the land, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the men arose” or “and the male human beings rose and got up”, “and went away” which means “and walked, departed and proceeded forward”: “and Joshua charged them” or “and Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ ordered and commanded them, the men who departed” “that went to describe the land” which means “who left to make record of and write about the district, territory and region”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the “three men” who were chosen from each of the tribes of Israel got up, departed as “Joshua” ordered and left to write about the the territory.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… Go and walk through the land, and describe it, and come again to me, that I may here cast lots for you before the LORD in Shiloh.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “go and walk through the land” which means “depart and traverse the territory, district and region”, “and describe it” or “and make record of and write about it, the territory”, “and come again to me” which means “and return to me, Joshua”, “that I may here cast lots for you” or “so I, Joshua, can throw, hurl and fling pebbles or stones to make decisions” “before the LORD” which means “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “in Shiloh” or “within Shiloh whose name means ‘place of rest’ and was a city in Ephraim and the temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the “men” who departed to traverse the territory to make record of what they saw and return to him so he could throw pebbles to make decisions in the presence of Jehovah God.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the time had come for the “three men” who were chosen from each of the tribes of “Israel” to depart, traverse the territory not yet obtained by Israel, record about it and return to “Joshua” so he could throw pebbles to make decisions concerning those areas. God’s plan for dividing the promise land continued, and these men along with Joshua would in a practical way divide the land among the seven tribes who had not received their inheritance yet. God wants to give to people, and because He loves us, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth as we receive all He desires to provide. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “the men went and passed through the land, and described it by cities”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

The Levites Have No Part - Joshua 18:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north. You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse seven of Joshua we learn how Joshua said, “the Levites have no part among you” where we read,

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance: 

and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.

The verse reads, “But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but the Levites” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ and were specially set aside by God for His service” “have no part among you” which means “do not have any share or portion in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel”: “for the priesthood of the LORD” or “because, since and on account sacred and pure office of the people who operated as the ‘priests” belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “is their inheritance” which means “exists as their, the Levites’, heritage, portion or share”. Joshua stated how the “Levites” did not own or possess any property within the promise land, but rather received the office of Jehovah God’s “priesthood”.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Gad” whose name means “troop” and was seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher., “and Reuben”  whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah”, “and half the tribe of Manasseh” which means “and one-half of the clan or people group belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh” “have received their inheritance” or “have taken in hand, seized and acquired their, Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh’s, portion or share” “beyond Jordan on the east” which means “across the Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately  200 miles (320 km)”, “which Moses” or “that Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the lawgiver, prophet and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” which means “the bondman, man of servile condition and ” “gave them” or “granted, bestowed and assigned to them, the people of Israel”. Joshua reminded the people of Israel that the “tribes of Gad, Reuben and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” hand already received their allotment of territory on the eastern side of the “Jordan” river. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua continued to speak to the people of “Israel” about their allotment within the promise land. The “Levites” were not to receive any inheritance of land because the office of the “priesthood” before Jehovah God was to be their portion, and the “tribes of Gad, Reuben and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” had already been assigned their territory on the eastern side of the Jordan River which Moses granted to them. God was providing for His people “Israel”, and lot by lot and “tribe by tribe”, they were meant to receive the promise land. God wants to provide for us as well, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three day as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us to receive from Him all He desires to provide. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time Joshua or the writer says, “the men arose, and went away”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".