In the book of Joshua, we learned how the promise land was being distributed to the tribes of Israel, “and the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families, and the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Irshemesh, and Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah, and Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron, and Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath, and Jehud, and Beneberak, and Gathrimmon, and Mejarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho”, and in chapter nineteen and verse forty-seven of Joshua we learn how, “the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them” where we read,
And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.
The verse reads, “And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the coast” which means “and the border, territory and region”, “of the children of Dan” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Dan whose name means ‘a judge’ and was the fifth son of Jacob, the first of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid” “went out too little for them” which means “proceeded and lead forward in too small of an area or region for them, the people of Dan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the land designated for the people of “Dan” was insufficient for them to live within.
The verse continues, “therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “therefore the children of Dan” which means “wherefore, then and on this account the offspring and progeny belonging to Dan whose name means ‘a judge’ and was the fifth son of Jacob, the first of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid” “went up to fight against Leshem” or “arose and ascended to do battle and make war in opposition to Leshem whose name means ‘precious stone’ and was a city west of Mount Hermon, also called 'Laish' and later 'Dan'”, “and took it” which means “and seized, captured and occupied it, Leshem”. Joshua or the writer said because the territory given to the “tribe of Dan” was too small for them, they battled against the city of “Leshem” and seized their property.
Finally the verse reads, “and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “and smote it” or “and struck, hit, beat and slayed it, Leshem” “with the edge of the sword” which means “by the use of the extremity and sharpened portion belonging to the knife, cutting tool, dagger or other sharpened implement”, “and possessed it” or “and seized, dispossessed and inherit it, Leshem”, “and dwelt therein” which means “and abode, inhabited and lived within Leshem”, “and called Leshem, Dan” or “and proclaimed, commissioned and appointed Leshem whose name means ‘precious stone’ and was a city west of Mount Hermon, also called ‘Laish’”, Dan whose name means ‘a judge’ and was the fifth son of Jacob, the first of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid” “after the name of Dan their father” which means “in keeping with the reputation, fame and glory belonging to Dan whose name means ‘a judge’ and was their, the people of “Dan’s” male progenitor and ancestor”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Dan” struck “Leshem” with sharpened war instruments., seized their land, lived there and renamed it, “Dan”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover that the territory provided to the people of “Dan” was insufficient for them, so they proceeded toward “Leshem”, slew the people there with sharpened battle weapons, took over their land and renamed it “Dan”. This was quite the effort on their part, but they were to receive their inheritance within the promise land. In like manner because our sin leads to death, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through trust and faith in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live, wherever we are in the world, in a way that is pleasing to Him. (See John 316:16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Dan”, 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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