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…
Simeon had an inheritance in the midst of Judah, Josh 19:1-9. The land for Judah was too big and so Simeon inherited part of their land. 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. This doesn’t mean that we will have plain sailing, but it does mean that we will arrive to port.
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.
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 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. The only strategy against sin and Satan.
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 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.
The land has been divided and the inheritance by lot has been given out. Joshua finally receives his inheritance Josh 19:49-51. Our inheritance in Christ occurs 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 Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell Groups on break over the Easter holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Good Friday and Easter Sunday messages.
2. Wedding and baptisms on the 18th April.
3. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
4. New families as they settle into church.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Getting drawings into council.
7. Sunday’s message – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
2. More visitors to church on Sunday.
3. We praise God for the rain but pray for those travelling over the Easter break.
4. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Wedding and baptisms coming up 18th April at Church and Colleges Crossing. See Jay if you haven’t been baptized, but would like to be.
2. Gel blaster morning – RSVP 18th April. 8-12pm Sat 24th April – Wacol reserve. Contact Tim Freeman for more details 0403 682 909.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
