In the book of Judges we learned, “the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley”, and in chapter one and verse thirty-five of Judges, we learn, “the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon”, where we read,
But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim:
yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.
The verse reads, “But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim:” The writer began with the words, “but the Amorites” which means “however, notwithstanding, nevertheless and moreover the Amorites whose name means ‘‘a sayer’ and were one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt” “would dwell in mount Heres” or “were to live, inhabit and abide within the rising above the plain known as Here’s whose name means ‘the sun’ and was a mountain inhabited by Amorites in Moab and the place where Gideon turned back from chasing the Midianites” “in Aijalon” which means “within Ajalon or Aijalon whose name means ‘field of deer’ and was a Levitical city in Dan, fourteen miles or twenty-five kilometers NW of Jerusalem, later ruled by the Amorites, then the Benjamites of Judah, then by the Philistines”, “and in Shaabim” or “and within Shaabim or Shaalabbin whose name means ‘place of foxes’ and was a town in Dan occupied by the Amorites”. The writer shared how the “Amorites” were to live within the rising above the plain known as “Heres” which was located within “Aijalon and Shaalbim”.
The verse goes on to say, “yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.” The writer continues with the words, “yet the hand of the house of Joseph” which means “still the power, might and authority pertaining to the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel and the progenitor of the tribe of Joseph which was divided into the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh” “prevailed” or “became heavy, weighty, honorable and glorious”, “so that they became tributaries” which means “which caused them, the Amorites, to exist as forced laborers, task-workers, servants and taxpayers”. The writer shared how the power and might pertaining to the dwelling place belonging to “Joseph” was weighty and glorious, and this caused the “Amorites” to live as servants and taxpayers.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the “Amorites” were determined to live in the risings above the plain known as “Heres” within “Aijalon and Shaalbim”, however, the tribe of “Joseph” opposed them and made them servants and taxpayers. God gave the promise land to the people of Israel, and “Dan and Joseph through Ephraim and Manasseh” were to inherit their portion of the land. They faced enemies and foes who desired to keep them from their inheritance, however, their effect was minimal. God wants everyone to be in a personal relationship with Him through 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 surrender our lives 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 empower us to live according to that truth while we resist the devil and the people who are opposed to God. (See James 4:7)
Next time we learn, “the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim”, 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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