Bezer Assigned - Joshua 20:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “The LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge”, on behalf of a person who kills another person without prior malice … “and they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah”, and in chapter twenty and verse eight of Joshua we learn how, “they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain” where we read, 

And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.

The verse reads, “And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and on the other side Jordan” which means “and across or upon the opposite side of Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “by Jericho eastward” or “beside or alongside Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan in an eastern direction”, “they assigned Bezer” which means “they, the people of Israel, gave, bestowed, granted, ascribed, consecrated and dedicated Bezer whose name means ‘gold ore or remote fortress’ and was a city of refuge in Reuben in the downs on the east of the Jordan”, “in the wilderness” or “within the uninhabited land, open field or desert place” “upon the plain” which means “on the level country”. Joshua or the writer said “Bezer” was a “city of refuge” located across the “Jordan River” in an eastern direction in the desert level country. 

 

The verse continues, “… out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “out of the tribe of Reuben” which means “from the clan or people group belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was “the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe of Reuben”, “and Remoth in Gilead” or “and Remoth whose name means ‘heights’ which was located within Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was “a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead” “out of the tribe of Gad” which means “from the clan or people group belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was “seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher, and the tribe of people who descended from Gad”, “and Golan in Bashan” or “and Golan whose name means ‘their captivity or their rejoicing’ and was a town of Manasseh in the heights of Bashan whose name means ‘fruitful’ and was a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh” “out of the tribe of Manasseh” which means “from the clan or people group 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 “Bezer from Reuben, Ramoth from Gad and Golan from Manasseh”  were “cities of refuge” located on the eastern side of the Jordan river.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover three more of the “cities of refuge” that were chosen and consecrated by the people of Israel. “Bezer, Ramoth and Golan” all became places to which a person could flee who kills another person accidentally. God wants to be our “city of refuge”, and we may come to Him through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected from the grave three days later. When we surrender to Him as our “Savor 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 help us to live according to that truth while we abide in His “refuge” like presence regardless of what is happening in our lives. (See Psalm 46:1)

Next time we learn how, “these were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger”, 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".

Kedesh in Galilee Appointed - Joshua 20:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “The LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge” on behalf of a person who kills another person without prior malice … “and if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from where he fled”, and in chapter twenty and verse seven of Joshua we learn how, “they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali” where we read, 

And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, 

and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.

The verse reads, “And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they appointed Kedesh” which means “and they, the people of Israel, consecrated, sanctified and dedicated Kedesh whose name means ‘holy place’ and was a city in the extreme south of Judah” “in Galilee” or “within Galilee whose name means ‘circuit or district’ and was a territory in Naphtali largely occupied by heathen; a circuit of towns around Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem” “in mount Naphtali” which means “within the rising above the plain or hill country called Naphtali whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali”, “and Shechem” whose name means “back or shoulder” and was a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, thirty-four miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and seven miles (10.5 km) southeast of Samaria “in mount Ephraim” which means “within the rising above the plain or hill country named Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel sanctified and dedicated “Kedesh” within the district of “Galilee” which was located in the rising above the plain known as “Naphtali” and “Shechem” in the hill country known as “Ephraim” to be cities of refuge.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Kirjatharba” whose name means “city of Arba” and was  the “early name of the city which after the conquest was called Hebron”, “which is Hebron” or “that exists as Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”, “in the mountains of Judah” which means “within the risings above the plain or hills belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the tribe that descended from Judah”. Joshua or the writer said “Kirjatharba” or “Hebron” within the hill country of “Judah” also became a city of refuge.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn the names of three of the cities of refuge. “Kedesh, Shechem and Kirjatharba” were places that an unintentional slayer could flee for asylum. These locations of refuge were to be spread out over the land of Israel and known by everyone just in case they became necessary. God wants us to know He is always like a “city of refuge” (See Psalm 46), and we can run to Him at any time. He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “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 equip us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him and takes full advantage of the “refuge” that is found in Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain”, 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".

Dwelling Until Judgment - Joshua 20:6

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “The LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge”, on behalf of a person who kills another person without prior malice … “and if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime”, and in chapter twenty and verse six of Joshua we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment” where we read, 

And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from where he fled.

The verse reads, “And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he shall dwell in that city” which means “and he, the slayer, will live and abide within that dwelling place of refuge”, “until he stand before the congregation” or “till such time that he, the slayer, rises and appears in front and in the presence of the gathering, company or assembly” “for judgment” which means “on behalf of justice, ordinance and for the act of deciding a case”, “and until the death” or “and till such time of the expiration of life and cessation of breathing” “of the high priest” which means “belonging to the chief spiritual leader, principal and official” “that shall be in those days” or “who exists within the time period or season”. Joshua or the writer shared how the person who kills another person and runs to the “city of refuge” was to remain living there till such time as they were judged by the assembly and till the chief spiritual leader died.

 

The verse continues, “then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from where he fled.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “then shall the slayer return” which means “at that time will the killer whether by murder, premeditation or accident go or turn back”, “and come unto his own city” or “and enter or go forth to his, the slayer’s, own personal dwelling place or place of wakening”, “and unto his own house” which means “and to his, the slayer’s, own personal habitation or abode”, “unto the city” or “to the dwelling place or place of wakening” “from where he fled” which means “from which he, the slayer, took flight and ran away”. Joshua or the writer said the “slayer” would be able to go back to his own personal dwelling place and home from which he took flight after being judge by the assembly and when the chief “priest” died. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how there was order and justice to be carried out for the person who killed another person accidentally. The assembly would hear the case, and if it was determined that the death was not intentional, when the chief priest died, the person who killed another person would be able to return to their own dwelling place and home. Of course Jehovah God always knows the truth, and even when we have done wrong accidentally or intentionally, He gave the provision of His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of us all and raised Him from the dead after three days so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “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 give us refuge until we go to be in Heaven with Him. (See Psalm 23:6 46:1) 

Next time we learn how, “they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount 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".

 

If the Avenger of Blood Pursue - Joshua 20:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “The LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spoke unto you by the hand of Moses. That the slayer that kills any person unawares and unwittingly may flee there: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that does flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them”, and in chapter twenty and verse five of Joshua we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand” where we read, 

And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

The verse reads, “And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and if the avenger of blood” which means “and whether and in case the next of kin and revenger pertaining to bloodshed” (See Numbers 35:15-24) “pursue after him” or “attends closely, follows and runs behind him, the person who kills another person”, “then they shall not deliver the slayer” which means “at that time they, the elders within the city of asylum, will not in any way surrender or give over the person who kills another person” “up into his hand” or “over in his, the revenger of bloodshed’s, power, might and authority”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God instructed “Joshua” and the “elders” that in case the person who desires to take revenge upon the killer comes running after him, the “elders” were not to give this person over to their power and might. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “because he smote his neighbor unwittingly” which means “since and on account that he, the person who kills another person, hit, beat, struck and killed his, the person who kills another’s, fellow citizen or another person”, “and hated him not beforetime” or “and did not despise, loathe or abhor him, the person who was killed, in advance or prior to the time they were killed”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God said they were not to hand over the slayer since they did not despise the other person in advance of that time.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover what the leaders within the “cities of asylum” were to do when the revenger of bloodshed follows a killer who appeals to place of refuge. When the person assigned to take revenge on the person who killed another person would be chasing after them, the elders within the “cities of refuge” were not to give the killer over to them if they did not hate them in advance. In a similar manner, God knows everything about everyone, and because we all have sin in our lives, He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins and raised Him from the dead after three days. (See John 3:16) When we submit to Him as our “Savior and Lord” (Our refuge), He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live under His protection and provision all the days of our lives. (See Psalm 23; John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment”, 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".

The One Who Flees to the City of Refuge - Joshua 20:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spoke unto you by the hand of Moses. That the slayer that kills any person unawares and unwittingly may flee there: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood”, and in chapter twenty and verse four of Joshua we learn how the LORD told Joshua what the person was to do, “that does flee unto one of those cities” where we read, 

And when he that does flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

The verse reads, “And when he that does flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and when he that does flee” which means “and at the time and moment he, the person who kills another person, departs, takes flight and escapes” “unto one of those cities” or “to a certain or particular one pertaining to those, the cities of asylum, dwelling places or places of wakening” “shall stand at the entering of the gate” which means “will remain upright and erect before the doorway, opening or entrance” “of the city” or “belonging to the dwelling place or place of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God gave instructions to the person who kills another person and runs to the entrance of the dwelling places of asylum. 

 

The verse continues, “… and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and shall declare his cause” which means “and will utter and proclaim his, the person who kills another person’s, speech, word and utterance” “in the ears of the elders of that city” or “within the hearing of the physical ears belonging to the pertaining to the aged or older men belonging to that dwelling place or place of waking”, “they shall take him” which means “they, the elders of the city, will receive, gather in and collect him, the person who kills another person” “into the city unto them” or “in the dwelling place or place of waking to them, the person who has killed another person”, “and give him a place” which means “and grant, bestow and assigned to him, the person who has killed another person, a territory, location and spot of standing”, “that he may dwell among them” or “so he, the person who has killed another person, might abide and live within in the midst of them”. Joshua or the writer said the person who kills another person would be able to tell the “elders” within the city of refuge their “cause” and the “elders” were to receive and provide a location for the person to live in the midst of them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God gave instructions to “Joshua” concerning the time and moment a person who kills another person runs to the entrance of the “city of refuge”. The person to present their “cause” in front of the aged and older men within the city, and these men were to receive and find a location where they could dwell within the midst of them. This place of asylum was to be used to avoid being killed by the next of kin, (See Numbers 35:15-24) so the city was to be a place of refuge, salvation and preservation. A personal relationship with Jehovah God through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days is similar to a “city of refuge”. When we submit our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in His “refuge” and presence all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand”, 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".