In the book of Joshua, we learned what happened, “When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them. According to the word of the LORD they gave him the city which he asked, even Timnathserah in mount Ephraim: and he built the city, and dwelt therein”, and in chapter nineteen and verse fifty-one of Joshua we learn how, “these are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun … divided for an inheritance” where we read,
These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.
The verse reads, “These are the inheritances, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh before the LORD, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “these are the inheritances” which means “the previously mentioned dwelling places existed as the possessions, properties, shares, portions and heritages”, “which Eleazar the priest” or “that Eleazar whose name means ‘God has helped’ and was the spiritual leader and chief ruler”, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” and was “the successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel who led the conquest of Canaan”, “the son of Nun” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Nun whose name means ‘fish or posterity’”, “and the heads of the fathers of the tribes” which means “and the top, summit, chief and captains pertaining to the male progenitors and ancestors belonging to the clans or people groups” “of the children of Israel” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “divided for an inheritance by lot in Shiloh” which means “separated and assigned through the means of possession, property, share, portion and heritage within Shiloh whose name means ‘place of rest’ and was a city in Ephraim and the temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle which is the place where Samuel grew up” “before the LORD” or “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how the above mentioned dwelling places were the properties and shares of the promise land that were distributed by “Eleazar the priest, Joshua and the heads of the fathers” of Israel, and they were distributed in portions within “Shiloh”, the place of rest, in the presence of Jehovah God.
The verse continues, “… at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. So they made an end of dividing the country.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “at the door of the tabernacle” which means “at the opening, doorway and entrance belonging to the sacred dwelling, home and habitation” “of the congregation” or “belonging to the appointed meeting place”. “So they made an end” or “therefore, then and on this account they, the leaders of Israel, accomplished, ceased, completed and finished” “of dividing the country” which means “apportioning, assigning, distributing and imparting the region, district, territory and land”. Joshua or the writer shared how the apportioning of the promise land was performed at the entrance to the sacred meeting place, and this completed the “dividing” of the territory within the promise land.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the apportioning of the promise land was completed with “Eleazar the priest, Joshua and the heads of the fathers” overseeing all the portions. They performed their work at the entrance of the sacred meeting place within “Shiloh”, and thereby fulfilled the task of assigning the land. God loves the people of Israel, and when the territories were given to the “tribes”, they were to raise their families within the in the nurture, admonition and worship of Him. God loves us, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so that He takes pleasure in us and we enjoy Him as we live within His presence. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; 17:28; Ephesians 1:18)
Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “the LORD also spoke unto Joshua”, 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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