Ajalon and Gathrimmon - Joshua 21:24

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs, and the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, and Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs, …”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-four of Joshua we learn about, “Aijalon and Gathrimmon” where we read, 

Aijalon with her suburbs, Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Aijalon with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Ajalon” whose name means “field of deer” and was “a Levitical city in Dan, fourteen miles or twenty-five kilometers northwest of Jerusalem, later ruled by the Amorites, then the Benjamites of Judah and then by the Philistines” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanying her, Ajalon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ajalon” along with it’s common land was given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Dan”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… Gathrimmon with her suburbs; four cities.” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Gathrimmon” whose name means “winepress of the pomegranate” and was “a city given out of the tribe of Dan to the Levites which was situated on the plain of Philistia and apparently not far from Joppa”, “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanying her, Ajalon’s, open and common land”: “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Gathrimmon” along with it’s common land was provided among the “four” dwelling places that were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Dan”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how two more dwelling places and their common lands were bestowed upon the “Levites” by the “tribe of Dan”. “Ajalon and Gathrimmon” along with their common lands were to be used by the “Levites” not only to live within, but also to be “cities of refuge” for the people of Israel. God gave these places to the people of “Dan” and subsequently to the “Levites”, and they were to be employed in His Kingdom business for those who accidentally killed another person. God has provided for us in a similar manner because He sent His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. Jesus, who is our “city of refuge”, will receive everyone who believes and trusts in Him as their “Savior and Lord”, and 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 live according to that truth so our lives become a witness of His “refuge and salvation” to all who believe. (See John 3:16: Romans 10:9-10)

Next time we learn about, “Tanach and Gathrimmon”, 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".

Eleven and Gibbethon Joshua 21:23

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs, and the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, and Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-three of Joshua we learn about, “Eltekeh and Gibbethon” where we read, 

And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, Gibbethon with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Dan, Eltekeh with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Dan” which means “and from the clan or people group of Dan whose name means ‘a judge’ and was the fifth son of Jacob, the first of Bilbah who was Rachel’s handmaid, and the name of the tribe that descended from Dan who was the son of Jacob”, “Eltekeh” whose name means “let God spare you out” and was “a Levitical city in the tribe of Dan between Ekron and Timna” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Eltekeh’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Eltekeh” and it’s common land were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Dan”.

The verse continues, “… Gibbethon with her suburbs,” Joshua or the writer added the word, “Gibbethon” whose name means “mound” and was “a Philistine town in Dan allocated to the Kohathite Levites”, “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Gibbethon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer added “Gibbethon” and it’s common land to the locations in “Dan” that were given to the “Levites”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover two locations, “Eltekeh and Gibberthon” and their common lands that were provided to “Levites” through the “tribe of Dan”. “Dan” was located on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and “Eltekeh and Gibberthon” were to be used by the people of Israel who were located in that area as “cities of refuge” if they accidentally killed another person. God provided for the people of Israel whether they were on the eastern or western side of the Jordan, and He provides for us wherever we are in the world. (See Matthew 5:45) When He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the grave after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to take refuge in Him all the days of our lives. (See Psalm 23; John 3:16; 16:13; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Aijalon and Gathrimmon”, 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".

Kibzaim and Bethhoron - Joshua 21:22

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs, and the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim. For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs, …”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-two  of Joshua we learn about, “Kibzaim … and Bethhoron” where we read, 

And Kibzaim with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “And Kibzaim with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Kibzaim” whose name means “two gatherings” and was “a Kohathite Levitical city in Ephraim at Mount Ephraim”  “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanying her, Kibzaim’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer added “Kibzaim” and it’s common land to the list of dwelling places given to the “Levites” by the tribe of “Ephraim”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Bethhoron with her suburbs; four cities.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Bethhoron” whose name means “house of hollowness” and was “a town on the mountains of Ephraim”, “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanying her, Bethhoron’s, open and common land”: “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Bethhoron” and it’s common land was also among the “four” locations given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Ephraim”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about two more “cities” and their common land that was provided to the “Levites” through the “tribe of Ephraim”. “Kibzaim and Bethhoron” and their common lands were to be used as “cities of refuge” for the people of Israel. God spread these places out for the people of Israel, and because He loves them, God gave them a place in which they could flee in case they inadvertently killed another person. God knows our need for refuge as well because of the sin in our lives that causes separation from Him and leads to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) When He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and raised Him from the dead, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so our lives will be pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Eltekeh and Gibbethon”, 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".

Shechem with Her Suburbs - Joshua 21:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs, and the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim“, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty-one of Joshua we learn how, “they gave them Shechem with her suburbs” where we read, 

For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Gezer with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “For they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim, to be a city of refuge for the slayer;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for they gave them Shechem” which means “because, since and on account that they, the tribe of Ephraim, granted, bestowed and assigned upon them, the Kohathite Levites, Shechem whose name means ‘back or shoulder’ and was a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, thirty-four miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and seven miles (10.5 km) south-east of Samaria” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Shechem’s, open and common land” “in mount Ephraim” which means “within the rising above the plain known as 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, and the progenitor of the people of Ephraim””, “to be a city of refuge” or “to exist as a dwelling place of asylum” “for the slayer” which means “on behalf of a person who kills another person”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “tribe of Ephraim” provided the dwelling place of “Shechem” along with it’s common land within the rising above the plain known aa “Ephraim” to exist as a dwelling place of asylum to someone who kills another person by accident or inadvertently. 

The verse continues, “and Gezer with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Gezer” or Gazer whose name means “portion” and was “a Levitical city on the border of Ephraim” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Gezer’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Gezer” and it’s common land were given by the “tribe of Ephraim” to the “Levites”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover the names of two of the dwelling places and their common land that were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Ephraim”. “Shechem and Gezer” along with their common lands were to be used as “cities of refuge” by the “Levites”, and they would be available to the person who accidentally kills another person. One by one these locations of asylum were being placed all over the land of “Israel”, and because they would become necessary, Jehovah God chose where they would be. God has made His salvation from the penalty of sin which is death, (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) to be available all over the world through His Son Jesus who died for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. (See John 3:16) When we believe 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 help us bear witness of Him wherever He places us in the world. (See 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn about, “Kibzaim … and Bethhoron”, 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 Families of Kohath - Joshua 21:20

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs“, and in chapter twenty-one and verse twenty of Joshua we learn more about, “the families of the children of Kohath” where we read, 

And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.

The verse reads, “And the families of the children of Kohath, the Levites which remained of the children of Kohath, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the families” which means “and the kindred, kinsmen and relatives” “of the children of Kohath” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Kohath whose name means ‘assembly’ and was the second of the three sons of Levi and progenitor of a family in the tribe of Levi”, “the Levites” whose name means “joined to” and were “the descendants of the third son of Jacob by Leah who were specially set aside by God for His service” “which remained of the children of Kohath” or “who were left over and behind, preserved and saved pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Kohath whose name means ‘assembly’”. Joshua or the writer shared how the relatives belonging to the offspring of “Kohath” who were the preserved and left behind “Levites” possessed the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “… even they had the cities of their lot out of the tribe of Ephraim.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “even they had the cities” which means “also and indeed they, the remaining descendant Kohathite Levites, owned and possessed the dwelling places” “of their lot” or “belonging to their portion, pebbles used for systematically making decisions and share” “out of the tribe of Ephraim” which means “from the clan or people group belonging 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 and the progenitor of the people of Ephraim”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “Kohathite Levites” possessed dwelling places as their portion from the “tribe of Ephraim”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover more specifically about the portion of dwelling places given to the  “Kohathite Levites” who descended from Aaron. The “tribe of Ephraim” provided their locations, and they were to carry out their ministries in them. God ultimately owns all these places, (See Psalm 24:1) and He is able to distribute them as He desires and through whom He desires. God wants to have a personal relationship with everyone 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 yield our lives to 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 so our lives are pleasing to Him and bear witness of His salvation throughout the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “they gave them Shechem with her suburbs in mount Ephraim”, 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".

All the Cities of Aaron - Joshua 21:19

In the book of Joshua, we learned how the people of Israel, “gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs. And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, and Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, and Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs, Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse nineteen of Joshua we learn how, “all the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities" where we read, 

All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

The verse reads, “All the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “all the cities” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the dwelling places or places of wakening” “of the children of Aaron” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Aaron whose name means ‘light bringer’ and was brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest”, “the priests” which refers to “the spiritual rulers and leaders”. Joshua or the writer said every one of the dwelling places pertaining to the “spiritual leaders” and offspring belonging to “Aaron” existed as follows.

 

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 place or places of wakening” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, the cities’, common or open lands.” Joshua or the writer shared how there were “thirteen” dwelling places along with their common lands were provided to the people of “Aaron” who were the spiritual leaders. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover that there were “thirteen” dwelling places that were provided to the spiritual leaders and offspring belonging to “Aaron”. God knew there needed to be a provision for the person who inadvertently killed someone, and they would need to rely upon His leaders. God wants us to know He loves us as well, and when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave 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 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 more about, “the families of the children of Kohath”, 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".

 

Anathoth and Almon - Joshua 21:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how the people of Israel, “gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs. And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, and Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, and Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes, and out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse eighteen of Joshua we learn about, “Anathoth and Almon" where we read, 

Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Anathoth with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Anathoth” whose name means “answers to prayer” and was “a city of Benjamin allotted to the priest; located approximately three miles (5 km) from Jerusalem and was the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Anathoth’s, common and open land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Anathoth” along with its common land was given to the “Levites”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Almon” whose name means “concealed” and was “a town in Benjamin allotted to the priests” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Almon’s, common and open land”, “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer said “Almon” and the open land accompanying it was included in the “four” dwelling places that were given to the “Levites”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Ananthoth and Almon” along with their common lands were among “four dwelling” places that were given to the “Levites” to be “cities of refuge” for the people of Israel. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves all of us. He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days so 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 to guide us into all truth and to help us live according to that truth wherever He places us in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “all the cities of the children of Aaron, the priests, were thirteen 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".