In the book of Joshua, we learned how the people of Israel, “ gave to the children of Aaron the priest Hebron with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Libnah with her suburbs. And Jattir with her suburbs, and Eshtemoa with her suburbs, and Holon with her suburbs, and Debir with her suburbs, and Ain with her suburbs, and Juttah with her suburbs, and Bethshemesh with her suburbs; nine cities out of those two tribes”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse seventeen of Joshua we learn about, “Benjamin, Gibeon and Geba" where we read,
And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,
The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Benjamin” which means “and from the clan or people group belonging to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’ and was Jacob and Rachel’s youngest son and Joseph’s full brother”, “Gibeon” whose name means “hill city” and was “a Levitical city of Benjamin, modern 'el-Jib', which lies five miles or eight kilometers from Jerusalem”, “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Gibeon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Gibeon” and it’s common land was given to the Levites from the people group of “Benjamin”.
The verse continues, “… Geba with her suburbs,” Joshua or the writer added the word, “Geba” or Gaba or Gibeah whose name means “hill” and was “a city in Benjamin, modern 'Jeba', which stands on the top of a steep terraced hill, six miles or ten kilometers north east of Jerusalem and three miles or five kilometers from Gibeah, on the edge of the Wadi Suweinit looking northward to the opposite village of ancient Michmash, modern 'Mukhmas'” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Geba’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Geba” and it’s common land was also given to the “Levites”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gibeon and Geba” from the people group of “Benjamin” were provided to the “Levites” as dwelling places of “asylum” for the people of Israel. God knew there would be inadvertent deaths in Israel, and He provided these places to the “Levites” so they could represent Him and His understanding before the people. God is also aware of the sin that is in our lives, and because sin separates us from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live in keeping with that truth so our lives become a testimony of His love and grace to everyone we encounter. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn about, “Anathoth and Almon”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment