In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance, and the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper, and the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah, and it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan. The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families”, and in chapter sixteen and verse nine of Joshua we learn how, “the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh” where we read,
And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
The verse reads, “And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the separate cities” or “and the set apart dwelling places and places of waking” “for the children of Ephraim” which means “on behalf of the offspring and progeny 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” “were among the inheritance” or “existed in the midst and middle of the possession, property, heritage, source and portion” “of the children of Manasseh” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how the dwelling places which were set apart for the tribe of “Ephraim” were in the midst of the portion given to the “tribe of Manasseh”.
The verse goes on to say, “… all the cities with their villages.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “all the cities” which means “each, every and the whole of the dwelling places and places of waking” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the cities’, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer shared how every one of the dwelling places and settled abodes provided to the clan of “Ephraim” were in the midst of the land given to the “tribe of Manasseh”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the heritage and portion of the promise land that was given to the “tribe of Ephraim” was within the area provided to the “one-half tribe of Manasseh”. Every one of the dwelling places and settled abodes given to the people of “Ephraim” were within the boundaries of the land given to “Manasseh”. These two tribes were closely related as they descended from “Joseph”, and because God knew their relationship, perhaps this is why they could live among one another. God knows us, loves us and desires to have a personal relationship with us through His 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 personal “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 empower us to live according to that truth so we live among each other in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; 17:28)
Next time we learn how, “they drove not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer”, 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".
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