From Bethel to Luz - Joshua 16:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel”, and in chapter sixteen and verse two of Joshua we learn how, the border of Joseph, “goes out from Bethel to Luz” where we read,

And goes out from Bethel to Luz, and passes along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,

The verse reads, “And goes out from Bethel to Luz, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and goes out from Bethel” which means “and proceeds forward separate and apart from Bethel whose name means ‘house of God’ and was a place in south country of Judah, not far from Beersheba and Ziklag” “to Luz” or “toward Luz whose name means ‘almond tree’ and was the early name of Bethel and probably the name of the town in close proximity to the actual location of the altar and pillar of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how the territory provided to the “tribe of Joseph” proceeded from the location of “Bethel” to “Luz”. 

 

The verse continues, “… and passes along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and passes along” which means “and crosses, marches over and traverses” “unto the borders of Archi” or “to the edges or boundaries belonging to Archi whose name means ‘lengthy’ and is referring to the home city of Hushai” “to Ataroth” which means “crowns” and was “a place on the boundary of Ephraim and Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how the edges of the property provided to the “tribe of Joseph” also traversed the boundaries belonging to “Archi to Ataroth”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the land provided to the “tribe of Joseph”. The received the territory from the area of “Bethel” to the boundary proceeding to “Luz” and traversing the edges of the land which belonged to “Archi to Ataroth”. God’s provision for the people of “Joseph” within the promise land was for the purpose of raising their families in the reverence, admonition and worship of Jehovah God. God wants all of us to be in a personal relationship with Him 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 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 we also live in the admonition and worship of Him. (See John 3:16;16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how the border of Joseph, “goes down westward to the coast of Japhleti”, 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".