Zebulun Did Not Drive Out Kitron - Judges 1:30

In the book of Judges we learned, “Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them”, and in chapter one and verse thirty of Judges, we learn, “Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron”, where we read,

Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol;

but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.

The verse reads, “Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol;” The writer began with the words, “neither did Zebulun” which means “no and not in any manner did Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the tenth of the sons of Jacob, the sixth and last of Leah and the male progenitor of Zebulun” “drive out the inhabitants” or “expel, seize, dispossess or disinherit the people who lived, abode and dwelt” “of Kitron” or “belonging to Kitron whose name means ‘incense’ and was a town in Zebulun“ “nor the inhabitants of Nahalol” or “no and not in any way the people who lived, dwelt and abode within  Nahalol or Nahallal or Nahalol whose name means ‘pasture’ and was one of the cities of Zebulun given to the Merarite Levites”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Zebulun” did not expel or disinherit the people who lived within “Kitron” or “Nahalol”. 

The verse continues, “but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries.” The writer added the words, “but the Canaanites” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Canaanites whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’ and were the descendants of Canaan” “dwelt among them” or “lived, abode and were inhabitants in the midst and middle of them, the tribe of Zebulun”, “and became tributaries” which means “and were forced to serve as laborers, task-workers, serfdom or taxpayers”. The writer shared how the people of “Canaan” lived in the midst of the “tribe of Zebulun” and were forced to pay taxes and to serve as laborers. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover another tribe of “Israel” who did not completely disinherit the people of “Canaan” who were living in the promise land. The “Canaanites”, even though they were subject to taxes and forced labor, began to influence the people of Israel to forsake Jehovah God, and this would later lead to their demise. (See Joshua 2:1-3; 3:1-4) This became the repetitive theme and background for the book of Judges. The people of Israel were influenced to leave their relationship with God who allowed them to go into captivity for a period of time, When they cried out to Him, He sent a deliverer or judge to rescue them. God has sent our rescuer in His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “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 keep us away from the influences of the world that would draw us away from Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 6:17)

Next time we learn, “Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho”, 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".