Seven Tribes Without Inheritance - Joshua 18:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them”, and in chapter eighteen and verse two of Joshua we learn how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance” where we read,

And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, 

which had not yet received their inheritance.

The verse reads, “And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and there remained” or “and there were left over and preserved” “among the children of Israel” which means “in the midst and middle of 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” “seven tribes” or “seven clans or people groups”. Joshua or the writer shared how there were seven clans of offspring belonging to “Israel” who continued in the following condition. 

 

The verse continues, “… which had not yet received their inheritance.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “which had not yet received” which means “who had in no way or manner at that time possessed, been apportioned and assigned” “their inheritance” or “their, the seven tribes’, possession, property, heritage, portion and share”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “seven tribes of Israel” who were left over had not at this point been apportioned their allotment and share of the promise land. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover that there were “seven” clans among the people of “Israel” who had not yet been assigned their properties within the promise land. We shall see why in our next few verses, but for now let us understand that this was in part the peoples’ fault rather than “Joshua’s” or others. God wants us to receive His salvation through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we will manage ourselves in a way that is pleasing to Him and receives all the inheritance He desires to give. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8: Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua asks, “How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?”, 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".

 

Israel Assembled Together - Joshua 18:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only. But the mountain shall be yours; for it is a wood, and you shall cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be yours: for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong”, and in chapter eighteen and verse one of Joshua we learn how,“the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh” where we read,

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, 

and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

The verse reads, “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the whole congregation” or “and the entire gathering, multitude and assembly” “of the children of Israel” which means “pertaining 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”; “assembled together at Shiloh” or “collected and gathered themselves with one another 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 said the entire multitude pertaining to the offspring belonging to “Israel” were gathered with one another in the location of “Shiloh”.  

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and set up the tabernacle” which means “and settled down and established the sacred dwelling tent of Jehovah” “of the congregation there” or “belonging to the multitude or assembly in that place”. “And the land” which means “and the territory, district and region” “was subdued before them” or “existed as subservient, dominate and brought into bondage in front and in the presence of them, the people of “Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” established the sacred tent belonging to the multitude in “Shiloh”, and the territory was dominated in their presence. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the assembly of the people of “Israel” not only gathered together in “Shiloh” but they established the sacred tent to Jehovah God there. Establishing the place to worship God was essential to the people of “Israel”, and making Him first in our lives must be our priority. (See Matthew 6:33) When God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be 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 provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so that we worship Him first and live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we see how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance”, 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 Mountain Shall Be Yours - Joshua 17:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only”, and in chapter seventeen and verse eighteen of Joshua we see how Joshua said,“the mountain shall be yours” where we read,

But the mountain shall be yours; for it is a wood, and you shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be yours: for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.

The verse reads, “But the mountain shall be yours; for it is a wood, and you shall cut it down:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but the mountain” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the rising above the plain or hill country” “shall be yours” which means “will exist as yours, Ephraim and Manasseh’s”; “for it is a wood” or “because, since and on account that it, the forest, exists as a thicket or wooded height”, “and you shall cut it down” which means “and you, Ephraim and Manasseh, will fashion and transform it, the forest”. Joshua told the people of “Ephraim and Manasseh” the wooded heights would be their possession because it is a forest, and they would fashion and transform it. 

 

The verse continues, “and the outgoings of it shall be yours: for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and the outgoings of it” which means “and the border, extremity and end of it, the forest” “shall be yours” or “will exists as yours, Ephraim and Manasseh’s”: “for you shall drive out the Canaanites” which means “because, since and on account that you, Ephraim and Manasseh, will seize, dispossess, disinherit and occupy the people of Cana whose name means ‘zealous’ and were the descendants and inhabitants of Canaan”, “though they have iron chariots” or “even when they, the Canaanites, own and possess war and battle wagons”, “and though they be strong” which means “and even when they, the Canaanites, exist as stout, mighty, sharp, firm and hard”. Joshua or the writer shared how the extremities belonging to the forest land will exist as “Ephraim and Manasseh’s” because they will seize and dispossess the “Canaanites” even when they possess battle wagons made with iron ore and are stout and mighty.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” told the offspring of “Joseph”, “Ephraim and Manasseh”, that they would indeed possess the rising above the plain because it was a forest that they would seize. The extremities of the forest would be theirs, and they would indeed dispossess the people of “Cana” who lived there even though they were mighty and equipped with war wagons made with iron ore. The reason for their victory would be Jehovah God, and regardless of what their foes brought against them, the people of “Joseph” would not be defeated. God wants to have this type of relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised from the grave after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so that we too shall be conquerers wherever He desires. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh”, 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".

A Great People with Great Power - Joshua 17:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD has blessed me until now? And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel”, and in chapter seventeen and verse seventeen of Joshua we see how Joshua said, “you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only” where we read,

And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, 

you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only:

The verse reads, “And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua spoke” or “and Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto the house of Joseph” which means “to the dwelling, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means Jehovah has added and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel”, “even to Ephraim” or “also and indeed toward Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was the second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh” “and to Manasseh” which means “and toward Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”, “saying” or “uttering, proclaiming and declaring” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” addressed the people belonging to the tribes of “Ephraim and Manasseh” with the following words. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “you are a great people” which means “you, Ephraim and Manasseh, exist as an abundant and numerous amount of human beings”, “and have great power” or “and own and possess mighty strength and vigor”: “you shall not have one lot only” which means “you, Ephraim and Manasseh, will in no way or manner own or possess just a single portion alone”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of “Ephraim and Manasseh” that they were a mighty and strong group of “people”, and they would in no way possess solely a single portion of land. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” responded to the people of “Joseph’s” concern that they were not allowed sufficient territory for all their people. “Joshua” encouraged the descendants of “Joseph”, “Ephraim and Manasseh”, with words concerning their massive numbers and their powerful ability. They were not to settle for only a single portion of land, but would be able to secure more land for themselves. God provided for the people of “Joseph”, and He will provide for everyone who turns to Him through His Son Jesus who was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield 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 with the power and strength He provides when we yield to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 17:28)

Next time we see how Joshua says, “the mountain shall be yours”, 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 Hill is Not Enough for Us - Joshua 17:16

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD has blessed me until now? And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you”, and in chapter seventeen and verse sixteen of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us” where we read,

And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.

The verse reads, “And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Joseph” or “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was ”the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel” “said” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “the hill is not enough for us” or “the rising above the plain exists as insufficient on behalf of us, the children of Joseph”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Joseph” told “Joshua” that the rising of the plain was insufficient territory for them. 

 

The verse continues, “and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and all the Canaanites” which means “and each, every, the whole and every one of the descendants of Cana whose name means ‘zealous’’ “that dwell in the land of the valley” ” or “who stay, abide, remain and live within the district, region and territory pertaining to the vale, lowland and open country” “have chariots of iron” which means “own and possess battle wagons made with harsh and strong iron ore”, “both they who are of Bethshean” or “including the people belonging to Bethshean or Beth-Shan whose name means ‘house of ease’ and was a place in Manasseh which was west of the Jordan”, “and her towns” which means “and her, Bethshean’s, daughter villages”, “and they who are of the valley of Jezreel” or “and the people who exist from the vale, lowland and open country belonging to Jezreel whose name means ‘God sows’ and was a city in the Nekeb of Judah and a city in Issachar on the northwest spur of Mount Gilboa”. Joshua or the writer shared how the pagan people of “Cana” lived within the lowlands and possessed battle wagons made with iron ore, and they were from “Bethshean” and the settled abodes there along with the people who lived within the lowland of “Jezreel”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the offspring of “Joseph” considered the territory they were allotted to be insufficient for them, and in addition the people of “Cana” were living within the lowland of the area including the people in “Bethshean” and its settled abodes with those within the lowland belonging to “Jezreel”. We shall see how this problem is resolved in our next verses, but for now, let us consider that the offspring of “Joseph” knew there was a problem and they addressed it with “Joshua”. We too have a problem - sin, and the only remedy for solving that problem is to receive God’s Son Jesus who came 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 yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live with the knowledge that we can always take our problems to Him because He cares for us. (See 1 Peter 5:7)

Next time we see how Joshua says to the people of “Joseph”, “you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only”, 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".

Get Up to the Wood Country - Joshua 17:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD has blessed me until now?”, and in chapter seventeen and verse fifteen of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself” where we read,

And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you.

The verse reads, “And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua answered them” or “and Joshua or Jehoshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is Salvation’ and was son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan, responded to them, the children of Joseph”, “if you be a great people” which means “whether and in case you, the children of Joseph, exist as a massive and exceedingly numerous group of human beings”, “then get you up to the wood country” or “therefore, wherefore and on this account you, the children of Joseph, arise and ascend to the forest, thicker or wooded height”, “and cut it down for yourself” which means “and fashion and transform it, the forest, on behalf of your, the children of Joseph’s, own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” responded to the offspring of “Joseph” by telling them that since they were “a great people”, they should ascend to the forest to fashion and transform it for their own selves.  

 

The verse goes on to say, “… there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “there in the land of the Perizzites” which means “within the territory, district and region belonging to the Perizzites whose name means ‘belonging to a village’ and were a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest”, “and of the giants” ” or “and belonging to the huge and massive human beings”, “if mount Ephraim” which means “whether and in cast the rising above the plain or hill which belonged to Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap; I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh” “be too narrow for you” or “exists as pressed, exceedingly close and confined on behalf of you, the offspring of Joseph”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” stated if the hill country of “Ephraim” was too small for the children of “Joseph”, they should overtake the  forest where the huge human beings and the “Perizzites” were located.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how “Joshua” told the offspring of “Joseph” that since they were such a numerous amount of “people”, they should arise from “mount Ephraim” which was too small and seize the forest area where the “giants” and the “Perrizites” lived. God knew where all of the tribes were to be located within the promise land, and He was attentive to their needs. He knows where we are as well, and He knows our needs. (See Philippians 4:19) 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 dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to live wherever He desires in a way that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we see how, “the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us”, 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".