From the North, Enshemesh and Geliloth - Joshua 18:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the lot of the tribe of the children of Benjamin came up according to their families” which included how “the border came down to the end of the mountain that lies before the valley of the son of Hinnom, and which is in the valley of the giants on the north, and descended to the valley of Hinnom, to the side of Jebusi on the south, and descended to Enrogel. And was drawn from the north, and went forth to Enshemesh, and went forth toward Geliloth, which is over against the going up of Adummim, and descended to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eighteen of Joshua we learn how the border, “passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward” where we read,

And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, and went down unto Arabah:

The verse reads, “And passed along toward the side over against Arabah northward, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and passed along” or “and crossed, traversed and marched over” “toward the side” which means “to the edge, slope or shoulder” “over against Arabah northward” or “towards the front of, forefront and precipice of Arabah which refers to the desert plain, steppe or wilderness in the northern direction”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boarder of the land given to the “tribe of Benjamin” also crossed over the edge of the desert place known as “Arabah” in the northern direction.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and went down unto Arabah:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and went down” which means “and descended” “unto Arabah” or “to Arabah which refers to the desert plain, steppe or wilderness”. Joshua or the writer shared how the boundary of the land given to the people of “Benjamin” descended to “Arabah”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more about the boundary of the territory allotted to the “tribe of Benjamin”. Although “toward the side over against Arabah” in a northern direction and descending toward “Arabah” might not be familiar to us, it was to Jehovah God, Joshua and the people of Israel. God gave this land to the “tribe of Benjamin” as He kept His promise to give them territories in the land of Canaan. God loves Israel, and He loves us as well. He proved His love toward us when 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. 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 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 we learn how, “the border passed along to the side of Bethhoglah northward”, 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".