The Cities with Their Suburbs - Joshua 21:42

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “All the cities of the Levites within the possession of the children of Israel were forty and eight cities with their suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse forty-two of Joshua we learn how, “these cities were every one with their suburbs round about them” where we read, 

These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them: thus were all these cities.

The verse reads, “These cities were every one with their suburbs round about them:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “these cities” which means “the dwelling places and places of wakening previously mentioned” “were every one with their suburbs” or “existed as each, the whole and all alongside and accompanied by their, the cities of the Levites’, open or common lands” “round about them” which means “that encircled and surrounded them, the cities”. Joshua or the writer shared how all of  the previously mentioned dwelling places also were accompanied by their common lands.

The verse continues, “thus were all these cities.” Joshua or the writer added the word, “thus” which means “therefore, wherefore and on this account” “were all these cities” or “existed each, every and the whole of the above mentioned dwelling places”. Joshua or the writer shared how all of the dwelling places were accompanied by their common lands. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the above mentioned dwelling places were all surrounded by their common lands, and every one of the dwelling places were even so equipped. God knew what He was doing when He gave the “Levites” (and ultimately the people of Israel) these dwelling places. He wanted to have a personal relationship with everyone in “Israel”, and the “Levites” would be a constant reminder to relate to Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to help us live in intimate relationship with Him every day of our lives. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he swore to give unto their fathers”, 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".