Author Archive for: meiling

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Joshua 19:10-23.  Let’s go!

Joshua 19:10-16 (NIV) 
10  The third lot came up for Zebulun, clan by clan: The boundary of their inheritance went as far as Sarid.
11  Going west it ran to Maralah, touched Dabbesheth, and extended to the ravine near Jokneam.
12  It turned east from Sarid toward the sunrise to the territory of Kisloth Tabor and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia.
13  Then it continued eastward to Gath Hepher and Eth Kazin; it came out at Rimmon and turned toward Neah.
14  There the boundary went around on the north to Hannathon and ended at the Valley of Iphtah El.
15  Included were Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah and Bethlehem. There were twelve towns and their villages.
16  These towns and their villages were the inheritance of Zebulun, clan by clan.

On verses 10-16:  These verses describe the land allotment given to the tribe of Zebulun.

Nearing his death, Jacob spoke these prophetic words over his son Zebulun in Genesis 49:13: “Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon.”  We see the fulfillment of Jacob’s prophetic words here, as the land given to Zebulun extends to the Mediterranean Sea on the west and the Sea of Galilee on the east.  Though not a large land, this region would later on be graced by the presence of the Lord Jesus, who would spend significant time around the Sea of Galilee (see Isaiah 9:1).

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Joshua 19:1-9.  Let’s go!

Joshua 19:1-9 (NIV) 
1  The second lot came out for the tribe of Simeon, clan by clan. Their inheritance lay within the territory of Judah.
2  It included: Beersheba (or Sheba), Moladah,
3  Hazar Shual, Balah, Ezem,
4  Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
5  Ziklag, Beth Marcaboth, Hazar Susah,
6  Beth Lebaoth and Sharuhen–thirteen towns and their villages;
7  Ain, Rimmon, Ether and Ashan–four towns and their villages–
8  and all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer (Ramah in the Negev). This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Simeonites, clan by clan.
9  The inheritance of the Simeonites was taken from the share of Judah, because Judah’s portion was more than they needed. So the Simeonites received their inheritance within the territory of Judah.

On verses 1-9:  These verses describe the land allotment given to the tribe of Simeon.  Notice that Simeon’s land allotment was taken from Judah’s portion (v9, also v1b).  Why is that?  Verse 9 gives one reason: “because Judah’s portion was more than they needed”.  What can we learn from this?  Whenever you have excess (more than you need), be wise and generous with that excess.  Don’t hoard it all for yourself but use it to serve others’ needs.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Joshua 18:21-28.  Let’s go!

Joshua 18:21-28 (NIV) 
21  The tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, had the following cities: Jericho, Beth Hoglah, Emek Keziz, 
22  Beth Arabah, Zemaraim, Bethel, 
23  Avvim, Parah, Ophrah, 
24  Kephar Ammoni, Ophni and Geba–twelve towns and their villages. 
25  Gibeon, Ramah, Beeroth, 
26  Mizpah, Kephirah, Mozah, 
27  Rekem, Irpeel, Taralah, 
28  Zelah, Haeleph, the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah and Kiriath–fourteen towns and their villages. This was the inheritance of Benjamin for its clans.

On verses 21-28:  Here we get a list of the cities that were included in the land that the tribe of Benjamin received.  Benjamin was one of the smaller tribes of Israel and the amount of land it was given reflected its smaller size.  Yet notice that this small tribe was given “the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem)” (v28), which centuries later would become the capital and most important city in Israel.  Also, later on God would select Saul, the first king of Israel, from this land and this tribe of Benjamin, “the smallest tribe of Israel” (1 Samuel 9:21).   It’s a reminder to me that size is not necessarily an indicator of importance, and that God is able to use, honour and exalt you regardless of your size or background.

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Joshua 18:11-20.  Let’s go!

Joshua 18:11-20 (NIV) 
11  The lot came up for the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan. Their allotted territory lay between the tribes of Judah and Joseph:
12  On the north side their boundary began at the Jordan, passed the northern slope of Jericho and headed west into the hill country, coming out at the desert of Beth Aven.
13  From there it crossed to the south slope of Luz (that is, Bethel) and went down to Ataroth Addar on the hill south of Lower Beth Horon…….

On verses 11-20:  According to scholars, the tribes of Judah and Joseph were rivals, even though they were all part of the nation of Israel.  Interestingly, the lot is cast and Benjamin ends up getting the land right “between the tribes of Judah and Joseph” (v11).  In this way the tribe of Benjamin acted as a buffer between the two rivaling tribes, Judah and Joseph.

It reminds me of the role that Jesus plays in our lives.  When we were enemies of God because of our sin, Jesus stepped in the middle and acted as the buffer between us and God. 

Hi GAMErs,

Today’s passage is Joshua 18:1-10.  Let’s go!

Joshua 18:1-10 (NIV) 
1  The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control,
2  but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.
3  So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?……

On verses 1-10:  The Tent of Meeting was a portable tent that was set up as a place where God could meet with the people of Israel.  The Tent of Meeting is set up at Shiloh (v1) and there Joshua speaks to the entire assembly of Israelites, saying “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?” (v3)  At this point 7 tribes of Israel had still not received their allotments and had been waiting to take over some land in the promised land.  So Joshua sends 21 surveyors, 3 from each of the remaining 7 tribes that did not have land, to survey the remaining land (v4-9).  Joshua then cast lots to see which tribes would get what land (v10).