Iron, Migdalel, Horem, Bethanath, and Bethshemesh - Joshua 19:38

In the book of Joshua, we learned how the people of Israel were receiving their allotments within the promise land, “and the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali, even for the children of Naphtali according to their families. And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan, and then the coast turns westward to Aznothtabor, and goes out from there to Hukkok, and reaches to Zebulun on the south side, and reaches to Asher on the west side, and to Judah upon Jordan toward the sunrising, and the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth, and Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor, and Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor”, and in chapter nineteen and verse thirty-eight of Joshua we learn about, “Iron, Migdalel, Horem, Bethanath, and Bethshemesh” where we read, 

And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh; 

nineteen cities with their villages.

The verse reads, “And Iron, and Migdalel, Horem, and Bethanath, and Bethshemesh;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Iron” whose name means “fearing” and was “a city in Naphtali; site unknown”, “and Migdalel” whose name means “tower of God” and was “one of the fortified towns in Naphtali”, “Horem” whose name means “sacred” and was “one of the fortified towns in Naphtali” “and Bethanath” whose name means “house of response (or affliction)” and was “a place in Naphtali”, “and Bethshemesh” whose name means “house of the sun or sun-temple” and was “a town in Naphtali". Joshua or the writer shared how “Iron, Migdalel, Horem, Bethanath and Bethshemesh” were “towns” within the territory allotted to the “tribe of Naphtali”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “nineteen cities with their villages.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “nineteen cities” which means “nineteen dwelling places or places of wakening”, “with their villages” which means “alongside and accompanied by their, the cities’, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer said the above mentioned “cities” were part of the “nineteen” locations accompanied by their settled abodes that were given to the people of “Naphtali”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about five more “cities”, “Iron, Migdalel, Horem, Bethanath and Bethshemesh” which were among “nineteen cities” that were accompanied by their settled abodes that were given to the “tribe of Naphtali”. God’s provision for the people of “Naphtali” was being demonstrated, and their part was to simply receive His gift and live within it. In other words, God deserves all the glory and credit for what He has done. The same may be said for His plan of salvation for mankind. “God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (See John 3:16) When we trust in, rely upon and cling 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 give us the ability to live according to that truth so we receive all He has for us in this life and in Heaven with Him. (See Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali”, 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".