The Families of Merai - Joshua 21:34

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities, all the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-four of Joshua we learn about, “the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites” where we read, 

And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and unto the families” which means “and to the kinsmen, kindred and relatives” “of the children” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of Merari” which means “belonging to Merari whose name means ‘bitter’ and was the third son of Levi and head of a Levitical family” “the rest of the Levites” or “the remainder and left over descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ and was the third son of Jacob by Leah who were specially set aside by God for his service”, “out of the tribe” or “from the clan or people group” “of Zebulun” which means “belonging to Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was “the tenth of the sons of Jacob, sixth and last of Leah; progenitor of the tribe of Zebulun”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “tribe of Zebulun” gave the following locations to the offspring of “Merari” and the remainder of the “Levites”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Jokneam” whose name means “the people lament” and was “a city of Canaan conquered by Joshua and in the territory of Zebulun but allotted to the Merarite Levites and located Mount Carmel” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jokneam’s, open and common land”, “and Kartah” whose name means “city” and was “a town in Zebulun allotted to the Merarite Levites” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jokneam’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jokneam and Kartah” along with their common lands were also given to the “Levites”.  

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the tribe of “Zebulun” got involved in giving cities to the “Levites”. They gave the Levitical “family of Merari” “Jokneum and Kartah” along with their common lands. God was behind these provisions because He loves the people of Israel. He loves us as well, and He proved His love to us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we submit 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 to help us live in keeping with His ways wherever we are placed in this world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Dimnah and Nahalal”, 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 Cities of Gershonites - Joshua 21:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-three of Joshua we learn about, “all the cities of the Gershonites” where we read, 

All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families

 were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

The verse reads, “All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “all of the cities of the Gershonites” which means “each, every and the whole of the dwelling places or places of wakening belonging to the Gershonites whose name means and ‘exiled’ was the descendants of “Gershon” who was the firstborn son of Levi” “according to their families” or “in keeping and along with their, the Gershonites’, kindred, kinsmen and relatives” existed as the following. Joshua or the writer began to share about the total number of the dwelling places given to the “Levites” who belonged to “Gershon” and their relatives. 

The verse continues, “… were thirteen cities with their suburbs.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “were thirteen cities” which means “existed as thirteen dwelling places or places of wakening” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the thirteen cities’, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said there were “thirteen” dwelling places along with their common lands that were provided to the “Gershonite Levites”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how there were “thirteen” dwelling places that were provided to the “families” belonging to the Levitical people of “Gershon”. God’s provision was vast and important to all of Israel. There were six “cities of refuge” scattered throughout the land of Israel, three on the western side of the Jordan River, and three on the eastern side. God loves people and His provision for our salvation (our city of refuge) was demonstrated 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that honors and gives glory to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites”, 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".

 

From the Tribe of Naphtali - Joshua 21:32

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-two of Joshua we learn about the cities given, “out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs” where we read, 

And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.

The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Naphtali” which means “from the clan or people group belonging to Naphtali whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the sixth son of Jacob and the second by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel”, “Kedesh” whose name means “holy place” and was “a city in the extreme south of Judah” “in Galilee” or “within Galilee whose name means ‘circuit or district’ and was a territory in Naphtali largely occupied by heathen; a circuit of towns around Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Kedesh’s, open and common land”, “to be a city of refuge” or “to exist as a dwelling place pertaining to asylum” “for the slayer” which means “on behalf of the person who kills another person by accident or inadvertently”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Kedesh” was provided to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Naphtali: to be a “city of asylum” on behalf of the person who kills another person accidentally.

The verse goes on to say, “and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities.”. Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Hammothdor” whose name means “hot springs of Dor” and was “a Levitical city in Naphtali” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Hammothdor’s, open and common land”;  “and Kartan” whose name means “two cities” and was “a town in Naphtali allotted to the Gershonite Levites also known as Kirjathaim” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Kartan’s, open and common land”, “three cities” which means “three” dwelling places or places of wakening. Joshua or the writer said “Hammothdor and Kartan” along with their common lands were among the three dwelling places provided by the people of “Naphtali” to the “Gershonite Levites”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the “tribe of Naphtali” provided cities to the “Levites”, “Kadesh” was not only to be a home for the “Levites”, but was also intended to be a “city of refuge” among the people of Israel. “Hammothdor, and Kartan” were also provided to the “Levites” to be a spiritual influence in the presence of the people of Israel. God loves people, and because He desires to have a close personal and intimate spiritual relationship with all of us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the grave 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 empower us to live according to that truth as we serve Him in the world. (See Mark 10:44; John 3:16:16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn about, “all the cities of the Gershonites”, 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".

Helkath and Rehob - Joshua 21:31

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, …”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-one of Joshua we learn about, “Helkath and Rehob” where we read, 

Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Helkath with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Helkath” whose name means “smooth” and was “the town named as the starting point for the boundary of the tribe of Asher and allotted with its suburbs to the Gershonite Levites” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Helkath’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Helkath” and it’s common land were also given to the “Gershonite Levites”. 

The verse continues, “… and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities.” Joshua or the writer added  the words, “and Rehob” whose name means “broad place” and was “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Rehob’s, open and common land”: “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rehob” and its common land was also provided to the Levites who belonged to “Gershon”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover two more dwelling places that were given by the “tribe of Asher” to the “Gershonite Levites”. One by one and city by city places were being provided to the “Levites” to live in service to God before the people of Israel. God wants us to be in a personal intimate relationship with Him, and this is gained when we receive forgiveness of our sins through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. God raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we submit to Him, He will give us eternal life and His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and help us live in way that is pleasing in His eyes. (See John 3:16:16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about the cities given, “out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs”, 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".

Asher, Mishal and Abdon - Joshua 21:30

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty of Joshua we learn about, “Asher, Mishal and Abdon”where we read, 

And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Asher” which means “and from the clan or people group belonging to Asher whose name means ‘happy’ and was the son of Jacob and Zilpah and the progenitor of the tribe descended from Asher”, “Mishal” whose name means “entreaty” and was “a town in the territory of Asher allotted to the Gershonite Levites” “with her suburbs” or “along side and accompanied by her, Mishal’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Mishal” was given by the clan of “Asher” to the offspring and relatives of the “Gershonite Levites”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… Abdon with her suburbs,”. Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Abdon” whose name means “servile” and was “a city in Asher allotted to the Gershonite Levites; located ten miles (16 km) north of Accho; modern 'Abdeh'” “with her suburbs” or “along side and accompanied by her, Abdon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Abdon” was also given to the “Gershonite Levites” by the people group of “Asher”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the tribe of “Asher” gave locations to the “Levites” who belonged to the offspring and relatives of “Gershon”. The dwelling places and their common lands named “Mishal and Abdon” became “cities of refuge” for the people of Israel and locations where the “Gershonite Levites” would live. God has a place for everyone, and 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, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Helkath and Rehob”, 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".

 

Jarmuth and Engannim - Joshua 21:29

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, …”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-nine of Joshua we learn about, “Jarmuth and Engannim”where we read, 

Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Jarmuth with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Jarmuth” whose name means “heights” and was “a Levitical city of Issachar allocated to the Gershonite Levites” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jarmuth’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jarmuth” and it’s common land were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Issachar”. 

The verse continues, “… Engannim with her suburbs; four cities”. Joshua or the writer added the word, “Engannim” which means “fountain of the garden” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Engannim’s, open and common land”; “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Engannim” and it’s common land was among “four” dwelling places given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Issachar”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover two more “cities” along with their common lands that were provided to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Issachar”. “Jarmuth and Engannim” were included in the locations in which the “Levites” would live, serve Jehovah God and exist as “cities of asylum” for the person who accidentally killed another person. Although we may be unfamiliar wth these places, God was not. He knew the “Levites” needed an area in which to minister, and the people of Israel would need them. God knows we need His saving grace because we have sin in our lives that separates us from a personal relationship with Him. (See Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). When we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live, wherever we are in the world, in a manner that blesses and pleases Him. (See Psalm 34:1; John 3:16; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Asher, Mishal and Abdon”, 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".

From the Tribe of Issachar - Joshua 21:28

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-eight of Joshua we learn about land given, “out of the tribe of Issachar”where we read, 

And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Issachar” which means “and from the clan or people group belonging to Issachar whose name means ‘there is recompense’ and was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth by Leah his first wife and the progenitor of a tribe by his name”, “Kishon” whose name means ‘hard’ and was “a town on the boundary of Issachar allotted to the Gershonite Levites” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Kishon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Kishon” and its common land were provided to the “Levites” by the clan of “Issachar”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… Dabareh with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Dabareh” or Daberath whose name means “word” and was “a Levitical city, modern 'Debarieh',situated at the western foot of Tabor” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Dabareh’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer added “Dabareth” and it’s common land to the locations that were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Issachar”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “tribe of Issachar” gave “Kishon and Dabareh” along with their common lands to the “Levites”. God was providing for the “Levites” and the people of “Israel” as He designated these “cities of refuge” throughout their land. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He gave us provision for salvation from death which is the “wage” of sin in our lives (See Romans 6:23) when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit 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 to give us the ability to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Jarmuth and Engannim”, 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".