The final allotments of land to the other tribes is completed.
Joshua 19: The Inheritance for Simeon
1 The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the people of Judah.
2 And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah,
3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem,
4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah,
5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah,
6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen---thirteen cities with their villages;
7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan---four cities with their villages,
8 together with all the villages around these cities as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negeb. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Simeon according to their clans.
9 The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance.
The Inheritance for Zebulun
10 The third lot came up for the people of Zebulun, according to their clans. And the territory of their inheritance reached as far as Sarid.
11 Then their boundary goes up westward and on to Mareal and touches Dabbesheth, then the brook that is east of Jokneam.
12 From Sarid it goes in the other direction eastward toward the sunrise to the boundary of Chisloth-tabor. From there it goes to Daberath, then up to Japhia.
13 From there it passes along on the east toward the sunrise to Gath-hepher, to Eth-kazin, and going on to Rimmon it bends toward Neah,
14 then on the north the boundary turns about to Hannathon, and it ends at the Valley of Iphtahel;
15 and Kattath, Nahalal, Shimron, Idalah, and Bethlehem---twelve cities with their villages.
16 This is the inheritance of the people of Zebulun, according to their clans---these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Issachar
17 The fourth lot came out for Issachar, for the people of Issachar, according to their clans.
18 Their territory included Jezreel, Chesulloth, Shunem,
19 Hapharaim, Shion, Anaharath,
20 Rabbith, Kishion, Ebez,
21 Remeth, En-gannim, En-haddah, Beth-pazzez.
22 The boundary also touches Tabor, Shahazumah, and Beth-shemesh, and its boundary ends at the Jordan---sixteen cities with their villages.
23 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Issachar, according to their clans---the cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Asher
24 The fifth lot came out for the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans.
25 Their territory included Helkath, Hali, Beten, Achshaph,
26 Allammelech, Amad, and Mishal. On the west it touches Carmel and Shihor-libnath,
27 then it turns eastward, it goes to Beth-dagon, and touches Zebulun and the Valley of Iphtahel northward to Beth-emek and Neiel. Then it continues in the north to Cabul,
28 Ebron, Rehob, Hammon, Kanah, as far as Sidon the Great.
29 Then the boundary turns to Ramah, reaching to the fortified city of Tyre. Then the boundary turns to Hosah, and it ends at the sea; Mahalab, Achzib,
30 Ummah, Aphek and Rehob---twenty-two cities with their villages.
31 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Asher according to their clans---these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Naphtali
32 The sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali, for the people of Naphtali, according to their clans.
33 And their boundary ran from Heleph, from the oak in Zaanannim, and Adami-nekeb, and Jabneel, as far as Lakkum, and it ended at the Jordan.
34 Then the boundary turns westward to Aznoth-tabor and goes from there to Hukkok, touching Zebulun at the south and Asher on the west and Judah on the east at the Jordan.
35 The fortified cities are Ziddim, Zer, Hammath, Rakkath, Chinnereth,
36 Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
37 Kedesh, Edrei, En-hazor,
38 Yiron, Migdal-el, Horem, Beth-anath, and Beth-shemesh---nineteen cities with their villages.
39 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Naphtali according to their clans---the cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Dan
40 The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans.
41 And the territory of its inheritance included Zorah, Eshtaol, Ir-shemesh,
42 Shaalabbin, Aijalon, Ithlah,
43 Elon, Timnah, Ekron,
44 Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
45 Jehud, Bene-berak, Gath-rimmon,
46 and Me-jarkon and Rakkon with the territory over against Joppa.
47 When the territory of the people of Dan was lost to them, the people of Dan went up and fought against Leshem, and after capturing it and striking it with the sword they took possession of it and settled in it, calling Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their ancestor.
48 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Dan, according to their clans---these cities with their villages.
The Inheritance for Joshua
49 When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun.
50 By command of the LORD they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. And he rebuilt the city and settled in it.
51 These are the inheritances that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the heads of the fathers' houses of the tribes of the people of Israel distributed by lot at Shiloh before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting. So they finished dividing the land.
Things to think about…
1. Simeon receives the second lot, Josh 19:1 after Benjamin, Josh 18:11. Simeon had an inheritance in the midst of Judah, Josh 19:1-9 because the land for Judah was too big for Judah alone. Why didn’t the two tribes of Joseph have this opportunity when they asked for it? The answer is found in the ‘Lot’. The lot came out for Simeon to inherit this land. Manasseh and Ephraim already had their allotted land. Sometimes we want to change our lot. Rather than change the lot, let’s improve our lot with the Lord’s blessing. He promises never to leave us or forsake us, but grants us the desires of our hearts as we delight in him Ps 37:4. This doesn’t mean that we will have plain sailing, but it does mean that we will arrive to port.
2. The inheritance of Zebulun is given in Josh 19:10-16. Note that the ‘Bethlehem’ recorded in vs 15 is not the Bethlehem near Jerusalem, but Bethlehem of Galilee in the north. This of course is where the ‘Great Light’ would come from as prophesied by Isaiah 9:1,2 and Mt 4:15, 16, referring to the area of Nazareth where the Lord Jesus would be raised and live and begin His ministry.
3. The fourth lot falling to Issachar Josh 19:17-23 includes the town of Jezreel. We know this includes the Jezreel valley. Not far from here is Megiddo where there will be the end times war. Israel has an IDF base there as well. We know this was where the showdown of Elijah and Jezebel’s prophets occurred on Mt Carmel. Elijah winning the day and outruns Ahab’s chariot back to Jezreel from Mt Carmel, 1Kings 18. Naboth had his inheritance in Jezreel as he was part of the tribe of Issachar. The Lord punishes Ahab and Jezebel as a result. Jezebel is eaten by dogs at Jezreel, 2Kings 9:30-37.
4. Asher gets part of the beautiful northern coastline, Josh 19:24-31 along the Mediterranean Sea and includes Tyre and the base of Mt Carmel where modern day Haifa is. This is a beautiful part of Israel. Alexander the Great had a long campaign in Tyre and changed the landscape by building a siege against the fortifications off the coast. This has allowed a land bridge giving tourists access to some significant ancient ruins. Tyre belongs to Lebanon today but remains a beautiful city.
5. Naphtali is the sixth lot drawn adjoining Asher, Zebulun and Issachar. Note that it says it touches Judah in the east, vs 34. How is this possible when Judah’s inheritance is in the south. This could be because they were connected via the Jordan River and had some affiliation with Judah in that way. Naphtali encompassed the Sea of Galilee. One of the fortified cities listed is Chinnereth, vs 35. The Sea of Galilee has been know as the Sea of Chinnereth or Gennesaret. Some cities are recorded as being ‘fortified’, such as those listed from the inheritance of Naphtali, Josh 19:35-38. These were generally walled cities that were built by the Canaanites and may have had provisions for storage of grain in the event of a siege. These were strategic cities to have when battles were fought against an enemy. Christ is our shield, fortress and high tower. He is the only successful strategy against sin and Satan.
6. It says Dan lost territory and then they went up and fought, Josh 19:47, retaking land. Sometimes this happens in our lives where we lose ground to sin, but we later gain strength in Christ to reconquer those areas and have the victory once again. Let’s encourage each other that we may never lose ground.
7. The land has been divided and the inheritance by lot has been given out. Joshua finally receives his inheritance Josh 19:49-51. It says Joshua rebuilt the city of Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, vs 50. When we come out of the world we need to rebuild our lives in Christ. Our full inheritance in Christ is realised at the end of our earthly struggle. Christ’s reward is with Him and will be given to us when the battle of this life is over.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group looking at “what is a cult” Sunday week.
Prayer Points
1. Pray about the boldness to live for Christ knowing we have full assurance in our faith.
2. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup, pray for more families to be reached.
3. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
4. Church finances to cover all expenses. Budget presently not being met.
5. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults
6. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm in the church cafe. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
7. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Great message and worship time on Sunday. Pray for new visitors to CBC.
2. Great discussion on the antichrist with the young adults. A few joined from tic tok.
3. Praise the Lord for new mums at Playgroup. Pray it grows each week.
4. Tad’s health getting better all the time.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Playgroup 9:30-11am on Friday.
2. Members meeting 26th May after church.
3. Young Adults study after church Sunday week – “What is a cult?”.
4. Monday evening prayer with Mathys on the café 5:30-6pm
5. Life Groups Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
6. Kids@Church every Sunday.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q. 20. How do you know that you have a soul? A. Because the Bible tells me so.
