In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “these were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourns among them, that whosoever kills any person at unawares might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse one of Joshua we learn, “then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest” where we read,
Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;
The verse reads, “Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then came near the heads” which means “at that time approached and entered closely the choice chiefs and chieftains” “of the fathers of the Levites” or “pertaining to the male progenitors and ancestors belonging to the descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ who was the third son of Jacob by Leah and the name of the tribe specially set aside by God for his service” “unto Eleazar the priest” which means “to Eleazar whose name means ‘God has helped’ and was the chief spiritual leader and ruler”. Joshua or the writer shared how the chiefs of the male progenitors belonging to the “Levites” approached “Eleazar” the spiritual leader and ruler.
The verse continues, “… and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel;” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and unto Joshua” which means “and to Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel and led the conquest of Canaan” “the son of Nun” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Nun whose name means ‘fish or posterity’ and was the father of Joshua the successor of Moses”, “and unto the heads of the fathers” which means “and to the choice chiefs and chieftains” “of the tribes” or “belonging to the clans and people groups” “of the children of Israel” which means “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer said the “chiefs of the fathers of Levi” also approached “Joshua” and the chief male progenitors belonging to the offspring “of Israel”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the leaders of the “tribe of Levi” approached “Eleazar the high priest, Joshua and the leaders of the tribes of Israel”. We shall discover the reason in our next verse, but for now let us consider the order of this method which was given to the people of Israel by Jehovah God. God is a God of order, and those in authority are to be obeyed when they align with His purpose and will. God wants us to learn to be obedient to Him and His ways especially when it concerns the salvation of our souls. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind, 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 obey Him when it is necessary to follow the lines of authority He established among men. (See John 3:15; Acts 1:8: Romans 13:1-7)
Next time we learn how the Levites, “spoke unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan”, 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".
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