In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Merari by their families had out of the tribe of Reuben, and out of the tribe of Gad, and out of the tribe of Zebulun, twelve cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse eight of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities” where we read,
And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs,
as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.
The verse reads, “And the children of Israel gave by lot unto the Levites these cities with their suburbs,…” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “gave by lot unto the Levites” or “granted, bestowed and assigned through the means of share, portion and pebbles used for systematically making decisions to the descendants belonging to 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” “these cities” which means “the mentioned dwelling places or places of wakening”, “with their suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the cities’, open and common land or pasture”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” bestowed upon the “Levites” the mentioned dwelling places and pasture land.
The verse goes on to say, “… as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “as the LORD commanded” which means “according to the order and charge of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “by the hand of Moses” or “through the power, strength and authority belonging to Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer shared how the order given by Jehovah God through the authority of “Moses” was followed.
When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the offspring belonging to the people of “Israel” bestowed dwelling places upon the “tribe of Levi” even and Jehovah God ordered and directed through His servant “Moses”. God knew the people of “Israel” would need spiritual leaders who would keep them in the ways and worship of Him, and when the “Levites” received their “cities”, they were to use them to serve Him before the people. God wants us to be constantly reminded of His provision and blessings, and when 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, He made the way through submission to Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth and to equip us with the ability to live in keeping with that which He has charged us in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn how, “they gave out of the tribe of the children of Judah, and out of the tribe of the children of Simeon”, 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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