DBG - March 18 - Joshua 19-21

In this chapter we complete the division of land among the tribes.

vs. 1-9 – The allotment of territory for Simeon is described. 

vs. 10-16 -  The allotment of territory for Zebulon is described. 

vs. 17-23 - The allotment of territory for Issachar is described. 

vs. 24-31 - The allotment of territory for Asher is described. 

vs. 32-39 - The allotment of territory for Naphtali is described. 

vs. 40-48 - The allotment of territory for Dan is described. 

vs. 49-51 – Joshua is the last Israelite to receive a portion of land.  The tract is in the territory of Ephraim and contained the city Timnath-serah (“portion of abundance”).  It Judges 2:9 is it called Timnath-heres (“portion of the sun”).  Thus ends the division of territory.

In this chapter we have the establishment of the six cities of refuge.

vs. 1-6 – A review of the purpose and use of the cities of refuge.  See Numbers 35.

vs. 7-9 – The six cites are appointed: Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron on the west of Jordan; Bezer, Ramoth-gilead, and Golan on the east of Jordan.

In this chapter we have the allotment of cities to the Levites.

vs. 1-8 – The tribe of Levi has the territory assigned in which they will receive their cities.  The priests (Aaron’s family) and Kohathites would have thirteen cities in Judah, Simeon,  and Benjamin, and ten cities in Ephraim, Dan, and west Manasseh.  The Gershonites would have thirteen cities in Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and east Manasseh.  The Merarites would receive twelve cities in Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. 

vs. 9-26 – The cities given to the priests and Kohathites.

vs. 27-33 – The cities given to the Gershonites.

vs. 34-40 – The cities given to the Merarites.

vs. 41-45 – A concluding summary of the state of Israel as they settle into their new homes.  All the blessings that God had promised were enjoyed by His chosen people.

I may get lost in the lists of cities and descriptions of territories that we lose sight of what has been accomplished.  Less than 50 years prior to this the child of Israel were enslaved in Egypt.  It seemed that the promises made to Abraham about possessing the land would never be fulfilled.  But here we are!  God has been faithful!  Do not lose hope when things grow dark.  We serve a great and faithful God.

Our hymn today is “Not One Hath Failed” written by Alice J. Home.  It is one of the most recent songs we have featured, originally copyrighted in 1926.  It takes up the wonderful theme of 21:45 that no good thing promised by God had failed.

So shall we sing, the changeful story ended,
When in the harbor our frail bark has sail’d,
‘Mid storm and calm, ‘mid days and nights of sorrow,
Praise His dear name, not one good thing hath fail’d.

Oft times it seem’d not thus; so drear our prospect,
Anguish and fearful care well night prevail’d;
But now with all our hearts and souls we witness
His word is true, not one good thing hath fail’d.

Why not now sing a song of grateful gladness
Whenever anxious tho’t and fear assail?
‘Tis for our good all things shall work together
Since God hath said not one good thing shall fail.

Yea, even in the hour of desolation
When pass our best belov’d beyond the vail,
Leaning on Him who wept on earth with mourners
He will not fail us tho’ our hearts should fail.

Then in that joyful day of glad reunion
We shall together tell the wondrous tale
Of all the way the Lord our God hath led us,
His loving kindness which not once did fail.