Josué 21

Josué 21

Morris - forty-eight cities. The Levites had no single province assigned to them, as the other tribes did, for they were to be spiritual teachers and counselors to all the people. They were accordingly given forty-eight strategically located cities, including the six cities of refuge (Numbers 35:1-8), and a goodly portion of their support was to come from the tithes and offerings of the other tribes (Numbers 18:21). GEORGE BUSH Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 21 All the cities—were forty and eight cities, with their suburbs. This was in exact accordance with the direction given by Moses several years before, as we learn from Num 35:7. This order of Moses is a direct demonstration that it was given under divine inspiration, as otherwise, how could he possibly have known that so many cities could be assigned to the Levites, without un duly encroaching on the limits of the other tribes? Source: The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament Joshua 21:42 These cities each had its surrounding pasture lands; thus it was with all these cities. Joshua 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries These cities each had its surrounding pasture lands; thus it was with all these cities - NET = "Each of these cities had grazing areas around it; they were alike in this regard." Campbell - The potential for good in the dispersion of Levites among the other tribes was almost unlimited. Moses, in his final blessing of the tribes, said of Levi, “He teaches Your precepts to Jacob and Your Law to Israel” (Deut. 33:10). The solemn responsibility and high privilege of the Levites was to instruct Israel in the Law of the Lord, to maintain the knowledge of His Word among the people. Especially in the north and east the Levites ought to have been barriers against the idolatry of Tyre and Sidon, as well as against the heathen practices of the desert tribes. Someone has estimated that no one in Israel lived more than 10 miles from 1 of the 48 Levite towns. Thus every Israelite had nearby a man well-versed in the Law of Moses who could give advice and counsel on the many problems of religious, family, and political life. And it was essential that Israel obey the Word of God in all areas of life because without this their prosperity would cease and their privileges would be forfeited. But the final word is a sad one. The Levites did not live up to their potential; they did not fulfill their mission. If they had, idolatry and its corrupting influence might never have spread over the land of Israel. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 43-45. God promised to give to the seed of Abraham the land of Canaan for a possession, and now they possessed it, and dwelt therein. The after-prevalence of the Canaanites was the effect of Israel's slothfulness, and the punishment of their sinful inclination to the idolatries and abominations of the heathen whom they harboured and indulged. There failed not aught of any good thing, which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. In due season all his promises will be accomplished; then will his people acknowledge that the Lord has exceeded their largest expectations, and made them more than conquerors, and brought them to their desired rest. Joshua 21:43 So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it. Ge 12:7 13:15 15:13-21 Ge 26:3,4 Ge 28:4,13,14 Ex 3:8 Ex 23:27-31 Ps 44:3 Ps 106:42-45 Joshua 21 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Psalm 44:2-3 You with Your own hand drove out the nations; Then You planted them; You afflicted the peoples, Then You spread them abroad. For by their own sword they did not possess the land, And their own arm did not save them, But Your right hand and Your arm and the light of Your presence, For You favored them. Joshua 13:1+ Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the LORD said to him, “You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed. Comment - It would be left to later leaders to complete the overthrow of the Canaanites, a feat that would not be accomplished until hundreds of years later under David, and then only temporarily YAHWEH'S FAITHFULNESS TO ISRAEL SUMMARIZED So the LORD gave Israel all the land which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they possessed it and lived in it - Now the writer summarizes God's promise to Abraham until the settlement described in this chapter. Yahweh had fulfilled His promises to the patriarchs, to give Israel the land (Abrahamic Covenant). The LORD gave speaks of His amazing grace. All the land which He had sworn speaks of His eternal faithfulness. They possessed it speaks of the faith of Israel under Joshua's leadership to possess their promised possessions. Lived in it speaks of the life of those who exercise faith and obedience. God always keeps His promises! This reminds me of the NT passage For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2Cor 1:20KJV+). For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2Cor 1:20NIV+)