The Lot to Simeon - Joshua 19:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, ”the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, and Bethhoglah, and the valley of Keziz, and Avim, and Parah, and Ophrah, and Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages: Gibeon, and Ramah, and Beeroth, and Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah, and Rekem, and Irpeel, and Taralah. And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families”, and in chapter nineteen and verse one of Joshua we learn how, “the second lot came forth to Simeon” where we read,

And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

The verse reads, “And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the second lot” or “and the following or second in line portion, recompense or retribution” “came forth to Simeon” which means “proceeded upon Simeon whose name means ‘heard’ and was the second son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon”, “even for the tribe” or “also and indeed on behalf of the clan or people group” “of the children of Simeon” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Simeon whose name means ‘‘heard’ and was the second son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon” “according to their families” which means “in keeping with their, the people of Simeon’s, kindred, kinsmen and relatives”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “second” portion of land was delineated toward the “tribe of Simeon”, their offspring and relatives.  

 

The verse continues, “and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and their inheritance” which means “and their, the tribe of Simeon’s, possession, property, portion, share and heritage” “was within the inheritance” or “was in the possession, property, portion, share and heritage” “of the children of Judah” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised” and was the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer said the portion or heritage provided to the “tribe of Simeon” existed in the portion of heritage provided to the offspring belonging to the “tribe of Judah”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we begin to learn about the allotment that was given to the “tribe of Simeon” within the promise land. Their “inheritance” was within the territory provided to the “tribe of Judah”, and we shall learn more about their portion in the next few verses. For now let us consider that one by one and tribe by tribe God was providing for the people of Israel even as He promised, (See Genesis 17:7-8)and He will do the same for us when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”. God loves us, and when we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner that is pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. (See Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah”, 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".