All the Cities of Merari - Joshua 21:40

In the book of Joshua, we learned how cites were given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs, Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse forty of Joshua we learn the number of, “all the cities for the children of Merari” where we read, 

So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, 

which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.

The verse reads, “So all the cities for the children of Merari by their families, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so all the cities” which means “wherefore, then, therefore and on this account each, the whole and every one of the dwelling places or places of wakening” “for the children of Merari” or “on behalf of the offspring and progeny belonging to Merari whose name means ‘bitter’ and was the third son of Levi and head of a Levitical family” “by their families” which means “in keeping with their, Merari’s, kinsmen, kindred and relatives” were according to the following. Joshua or the writer shared how the total number of the dwelling places provided for the offspring of “Merari” and their relatives was according to the following. 

The verse continues, “… which were remaining of the families of the Levites, were by their lot twelve cities.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “which were remaining” which means “who were left over or behind and preserved” “of the families” or “pertaining to the kindred, kinsmen and relatives” “of the Levites” which means “belonging to the descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ and was the third son of Jacob by Leah and the tribe specially set aside by God for his service”, “were by their lot twelve cities” or “existed twelve dwelling places or places of wakening through portion, share or pebbles used for systematically making decisions”. Joshua or the writer shared how there were “twelve” dwelling places given to the left over kinsmen and relatives belonging to the Levites”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn that there were “twelve” dwelling places provided to the offspring belonging to “Merari” and their relatives who were also relatives belonging to the “Levites”. God provided these places to live and serve Him in the midst of the people of Israel, and they were to lead people in their relationship with God. Jehovah God has given us His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we yield to 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 the ability to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn the number of, “All the cities of the Levites”, 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".