Author: Charlie Garrett

Joshua 21:1-8 (Cities to Dwell In)

Charlie Garrett Joshua (Written)

Artwork by Doug Kallerson

 

Joshua 21:1-8
Cities to Dwell In

Quite often, our sermons cite the work of E.W. Bullinger. More than anyone else, he revealed the meaning of numbers used in Scripture. Anyone doing a study on Bible numbers would save a lot of time if they had his book, Number in Scripture, handy.

Today, anyone with an internet connection can have it handy because it is on several websites and some even make it easy to download it as a PDF. The thing about citing Bullinger isn’t just that what he says “seems to make sense.” Rather, he normally cites detailed examples of his conclusions concerning the meaning of numbers right from Scripture. Sometimes, he cites dozens of examples.

Because of this, you can be relatively certain that when someone cites Bullinger, the citation is reliable, even if the analysis given by the person citing him isn’t. In other words, there are times when someone will cite Bullinger, but will then botch the analysis and conclusion.

Therefore, just because someone cites him, or any other reliable scholar, it is always good to not accept the conclusion at face value. So, be sure to check up on what you hear.

Concerning Bullinger’s work, you will hear it referenced many times today. The passage before us is filled with numerical and typological patterns. It really is a marvelous treasure of God’s wisdom.

Text Verse: “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
6 Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united to their assembly;
For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!
I will divide them in Jacob
And scatter them in Israel.” Genesis 49:5-7

In Genesis 49, Jacob prophesied over his son Levi that he would be divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel. Though brought into the narrative in several ways since then, the actual allotment of cities to Levi starting in today’s passage is the fulfillment of that prophecy.

The Bible has meticulously, even minutely, detailed how this would come about. Step by step, everything in Scripture moves us toward clarity of what God is doing. And yet, some people miss out on this obvious truth. The Pulpit Commentary on Joshua 21:2 says –

“First, the six cities of refuge were to be appointed, and then forty-two more were to be added to them. Calvin, not noticing this, has complained that this narrative is not in its proper place, and that it should have been inserted before the details in ch. 20.” Pulpit Commentary

Despite being almost idolized by many, Calvin’s comment is so far out of line with reality that it’s hard to imagine what he was thinking. What the Pulpit Commentary references was explicitly stated in Numbers 35, as will be seen below. But even if it wasn’t, his statement calls the order of Joshua into question. That alone opens up a can of worms concerning the reliability of the biblical text.

This is why it is so important to check what you are told, consider what is in a printed commentary, and – above all – to be familiar with what is said in Scripture. John Calvin was just a guy. The commentator of the Pulpit Commentary was just a guy. We are all fallible and prone to error. The word of God is not.

The word is reliable, so be confident in it alone. Everything else needs to be measured against this marvelous standard we call the Holy Bible. Wonderful things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I.  By the Hand of Moses (verses 1-8)

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest,

The heads of the fathers’ of the Levites are those who lead the three divisions of the Levites, descending from Levi’s three sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Of them, it says they came near to Eleazar the priest. Eleazar means Whom God Helps or God Has Helped.

The matter to be resolved is the granting of Levitical cities for the people of the tribe to dwell in. As it is a matter to be determined by lot, Eleazar, being the high priest, is named first just as in Joshua 14:1 with the division of the land for the tribes. This same order was stated again in Joshua 17:4 and 19:51.

1 (con’t) to Joshua the son of Nun,

The same order as the verses just mentioned continues where Eleazar is named before Joshua. Eleazar is the one to determine the will of the Lord. He then conveys that will to Joshua. One must know the will of the Lord prior to abiding by that will. In the case of the division of the land, it will come from the Lord through the hand of Eleazar.

Joshua is the civil and military leader of the nation and was naturally to be included in any such matter. Joshua means The Lord is Salvation.

1 (con’t) and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel.

These would be the men named in Numbers 34:16-28 who were also mentioned at the beginning of the land division in Joshua 14:1. At that time, they came before Eleazar and Joshua to receive their land inheritances.

They are now gathered together because of a law matter that must be settled which deals with cities within their land. These cities are to be made the possession of the Levites and this is now the appropriate time to settle the issue.

Of this, John Calvin’s comments completely miss the point of what is happening. He assumes that the people simply forgot about the Levites, saying, “For thus it usually happens, while everyone is paying attention to his own care, that he forgets his brothers.”

It is a ridiculous statement when considered. As the cities were within the borders of individual tribes, and those tribes are only now defined, it would have been impossible to assign the Levitical cities according to tribal inheritances until this point.

The assignment of the tribes and the granting of Joshua’s inheritance was complete at the end of Chapter 19. The designation of the cities of refuge comprised Chapter 20.

As seen, those cities were logically determined before the assignment of the Levitical cities, even though they are a part of the Levitical cities. Only now, and not through incompetence on behalf of the people, is it appropriate to define Levitical cities within the tribes. Therefore, only now do they come forward…

2 And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan,

Shiloh is the place of the Tent of Meeting as first noted in Joshua 18:1. The congregation had moved from Gilgal to this more central location. Shiloh means Tranquility. Canaan signifies Humbled, Humiliated, or even Subdued.

2 (con’t) saying, “The Lord commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock.”

More correctly, it reads: Yehovah tsivah b’yad Mosheh – “Yehovah commanded in hand Moses.” The term “in hand” signifies “by the authority of,” but that authority was transferred to the scroll. The Lord commanded it to Moses and Moses committed it to writing as a permanent written command. The matter now to be considered was specifically mentioned in Numbers 35 –

“And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: 2 “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities. 3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals.” Numbers 35:1-3

This is what is being considered, in compliance with the mandate of law. Saying “from the inheritance of their possession” means that the matter was not ignorantly forgotten, but this is the time when it can be properly settled. The inheritance of the children of Israel is complete in the division of the land. Thus, the Levitical cities may be assigned accordingly.

3 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance,

The word “gave” is correct, but it may not mean, “Here are the cities we have decided to give to you,” as if the individual tribes determined the matter. Rather, it likely means that the process is directed by the Lord. The Lord gave the tribal inheritances to the children of Israel. From there, these cities are given out of those inheritances by the Lord.

Or it could be that the tribes allocated Levitical cities that were then assigned to the families of Levi according to the lot. If so, the Levities might have looked over the cities and given their preferences during the surveying of the land. Either way, the process of allotting them begins to be realized in the next words. They were…

3 (con’t) at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their common-lands:

el pi Yehovah – “unto mouth Yehovah.” This must be referring to what lies ahead because the cities were not named in Numbers 35, only the number of them was given. Therefore, the lot itself is being equated to the mouth (command) of Yehovah. This is what Numbers 35 says –

“Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities. 7 So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight; these you shall give with their common-land. 8 And the cities which you will give shall be from the possession of the children of Israel; from the larger tribe you shall give many, from the smaller you shall give few. Each shall give some of its cities to the Levites, in proportion to the inheritance that each receives.” Numbers 35:6-8

With that remembered, it next says…

4 Now the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites.

Kohath was the second son of Levi, but from him descends the priestly line of Aaron. Thus, he is allotted the first portion. Depending on the root used for the name Kohath, it means either Obedience or Gathering/Assembly. From him, the first allotted portion will go to the priests…

4 (con’t) And the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot

The translation is understandable, but it is completely out of order from the Hebrew, which reads, “and it was to the sons of Aaron the priest (from the Levites) …”

The way the Hebrew is worded, it clearly sets the priests off as a distinct class within the Levites. The meaning of the name Aaron is debated. Jones’ Dictionary renders it Very High.

Kohath received the first lot and then from there the sons of Aaron, descended from Kohath, then received the first lot of Kohath. It was…

4 (con’t) from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin.

The words are correctly translated, and then in the Hebrew, the text ends with the words “in the lot, cities three ten.” The total is given at the end of the verse, not in the middle. It is to be noticed that even without naming them yet, the cities are located directly around Jerusalem.

Judah (Praise) is to its south, Simeon (He Who Hears) is within Judah, and Benjamin (Son of the Right Hand) is to its north. Thus, the priestly cities, by the providence of the lot from the Lord, place the priests in a somewhat circular fashion around the city.

As for the number thirteen, Bullinger says that “every occurrence of the number thirteen, and likewise of every multiple of it, stamps that with which it stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea.”

5 The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh.

The Hebrew reads in a completely different order, “And to sons Kohath, the remainings, from families tribe Ephraim, and from tribe Dan, and from half-tribe Manasseh, in the lot, cities ten.”

Ephraim (Twice Fruitful/Ashes), Dan (Judge), and the half-tribe of Manasseh (He Shall Forget/From a Debt) are located just west and north of Benjamin. Ten signifies the perfection of divine order. As Bullinger notes, “It implies that nothing is wanting; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete.”

Albert Barnes states, “The non-priestly Kohathites had been diminished by the destruction of Korah and his company (Numbers 16). On comparing Numbers 26:57 following with Numbers 3:27 ff, two of the families of the Kohathites seem to have disappeared altogether. Hence, it is not surprising that the rest of the Kohathites were sufficiently accommodated in ten cities.”

The total number of cities for Kohath is twenty-three.

6 And the children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

Gershon was the first son born to Levi. His name means Expelled One or Exiled One. His allotment is also thirteen cities coming from Issachar (He is Wages), Asher (Happy), Naphtali (My Twistings/My Wrestlings), and from the other half-tribe of Manasseh across the Jordan in the Bashan (The Place of Fertile Soil).

The tribes within Canaan are located north of the half-tribe of Manasseh, but the area of Zebulun is omitted. The other half-tribe of Manasseh, east of the Jordan, is to the very north of the tribal inheritances.

7 The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun.

The name Merari comes from marar, to be bitter or to be strong. The i at the end may be possessive, and so it means either Bitterness or Strong or My Bitterness or My Strength.

He is the youngest son of Levi and his cities are somewhat dispersed. Reuben’s tribal land is the southernmost portion east of the Jordan. Gad is the middle tribe east of Jordan, just north of Reuben but south of Manasseh. However, the third area for his cities, which is in the land of Zebulun, is west of the Jordan in land locked between Issachar, Manasseh, Asher, and Naphtali.

Together, they will possess twelve cities, the number of perfection of government or of governmental perfection. Thus, all combined, there are – as directed by the Lord in Numbers 35 – forty-eight Levitical cities, six of which are cities of refuge.

8 And the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands by lot to the Levites,

As noted in verse 3, these were either chosen by the children of Israel and then allocated by lot or they were chosen by the Lord and then allocated by lot. Either way, they were given from within the tribal inheritances of the children of Israel. The common-lands are those lands explicitly described in Numbers 35 –

“The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. 5 And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.” Numbers 35:4, 5

However the decision was made, the entire process was…

8 (con’t) as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses.

ka’asher tsivah Yehovah b’yad Mosheh ba’goral – “According to which commanded in hand Moses, in the lot.” The Lord commanded Moses, Moses wrote out the words of law, and from the law, the lot was cast to determine these cities.

Concerning these cities, and of the Bible in general, there are always people who deny that these words could have been written at this time in Israel’s history. There simply were not enough priests and Levites to properly fill the cities. That is an error in understanding the layout and purpose of Levitical cities.

Just because these are designated as Levitical cities, it does not mean that only Levities lived in them. Nor does it mean that Levities only lived in Levitical cities. Though lengthy, Adam Clarke does a noble job of explaining the situation of these cities in relation to Israel –

“It has been asked in what sense did the Levites possess those cities, seeing they had no inheritance? To which it may be answered that it is not likely the Levites had the exclusive property of the cities in which they dwelt, for it is evident that the other Israelites dwelt among them. We know, says Calmet, by history, that the cities of the Levites were almost entirely filled with Israelites of other tribes. For instance, Gibeah of Benjamin, which is here given to the Levites, Joshua 21:17, was always peopled by the Benjamites, as appears from the history of the Levite, whose wife was so horribly abused by them; Judges 19:22-27. Saul and all his family dwelt in the same city; and David and his court spent the first years of his reign at Hebron, which was also a city of the Levites, Joshua 21:10. It appears, therefore, that they had no other property in those cities than merely the right to certain houses, which they might sell, but always with the right of perpetual redemption, for they could finally alienate nothing; and if the possessor of such a house, having sold it, did not redeem it at the year of jubilee, it reverted to the Levites. And as to their lands for their cattle, which extended two thousand cubits without the city, these they were not permitted to sell: they were considered as the Lord’s property. See Leviticus 25:32-34 (note), and the notes there. It is therefore very likely that, in the first instance, the Levites had simply the right to choose, in all the cities assigned them, the houses in which they were to dwell, and that those of the tribe to which the city belonged occupied all the other dwellings. There is also reason to believe that in process of time, when the families of the Levites increased, they had more dwellings assigned to them, which were probably built at the public expense. We may also observe that the Levites were not absolutely bound to live in these and no other cities: for when the tabernacle was at Nob, priests and Levites dwelt there, see 1 Samuel 21:1, etc.; and when the worship of God was established at Jerusalem, multitudes both of priests and Levites dwelt there, though it was no Levitical city: as did the courses of priests afterwards at Jericho. This was a circumstance which Moses had foreseen, and for which he had provided. See Deuteronomy 18:6, etc.”

He is correct in this. As this is so, there must be more than what is seen on the surface. The Lord chose the number of the cities before Israel ever entered the land. The lot determined who went where within these cities, and yet, they were not bound to these cities, as if they had to permanently dwell in them. More is going on for us to consider.

Separated in Jacob and divided in Israel
The tribe of Levi is to be dispersed
And yet, from it there is a marvelous story to tell
Redemption from the land that was cursed

God’s Christ will come and bring healing
Into the world that He created
This blessed way that God is dealing
With those who upon the Messiah have waited

A world at enmity with God
Is what Messiah will come to restore
Among His creatures He will trod
In the new world will be treasures galore

II. Pictures of Christ – Numbers and Names

The inheritances of the tribes are being used to reveal Christ in a marvelous way. Levi has no land inheritance of its own, and yet they do possess an inheritance. That was seen in Joshua 14:1-5 where it was noted –

“Because Levi, who anticipates Christ, has the Lord as their inheritance, there is no need for a land grant. … In other words, just as the Lord is Levi’s inheritance, so the Lord is Jesus’ inheritance. What belonged to the Lord from Israel passed to and through Levi. What belongs to the Lord from redeemed humanity passes to and through Jesus.”

What we are dealing with now follows in thought with the contents of that sermon. There are thirteen individual land grants. In order, they were Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Ephraim, Dan, half-Manasseh, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, half-Manasseh, Reuben, Gad, Zebulun.

As was noted earlier concerning the number thirteen, Bullinger says that “every occurrence of the number thirteen, and likewise of every multiple of it, stamps that with which it stands in connection with rebellion, apostasy, defection, corruption, disintegration, revolution, or some kindred idea.”

This is the state of the world without Christ. Israel is being used to reveal this. However, Bullinger explains further concerning the number later in his book. He says –

“THE CONNECTION OF THE NUMBER THIRTEEN WITH SUBSTITUTION AND ATONEMENT The Saviour, though without sin, was ‘made sin,’ or a sin-offering, for His people. He was ‘wounded for our transgressions,’ and bruised for their iniquities. He was, in fact, ‘NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS’ (Isa 53:12). Therefore this number is not only the all-pervading factor of SIN, but also of sin’s atonement. It is not only the number which brands the sinner as a rebel against God, but it is the number borne by the sinner’s Substitute. His very names in the Old Testament, before the work of Atonement was entered on or accomplished, are all multiples of 13, just as His names, afterwards in the New Testament and when the work of Atonement was carried out, are all multiples of 8.

  • Christ 1480 (8×185)
  • Lord 800 (8×100)
  • Our Lord 1768 (8×221)
  • Saviour 1408 (8x8x22)
  • Emmanuel 25600 (8x8x8x50)
  • Messiah 656 (8×82) ● Son 880 (8×110) The Old Testament names are:–
  • Jehovah = 26 (13×2)
  • Adonai = 65 (13×5)
  • Ha-Elohim = 91 (13×7)
  • Messiah, as given in Psalm 2, a form in which it occurs 10 times, ‘His Anointed’ = 364 (13×28)–the very number of Satan himself.”

The world without Christ is fallen, and Christ came to redeem the world, taking on the appearance of sinful man and bearing his guilt. By adding Levi to the inheritance, the grants total fourteen. Bullinger defines the number, saying –

“FOURTEEN being a multiple of seven, partakes of its significance; and, being double that number, implies a double measure of spiritual perfection. The number two with which it is combined (2×7) may, however, bring its own significance into its meaning, as in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2×7) generations, two being the number associated with incarnation.” Bullinger

Using Israel as a picture of the world, despite their rebellion and apostasy in the earthly realm, because of Levi, the Lord has placed His stamp upon them in the spiritual realm.

Likewise, with Jesus’ incarnation, the fallen world can be brought to a state of perfection once again. Christ is like the glue that binds all else together. This connection between Christ and fallen man is further explained in the passage today.

There are three sons of Levi. Three is the number of Divine Perfection. Bullinger says it “points us to what is real, essential, perfect, substantial, complete, and Divine.”

Despite there being three sons, there are four allotments because Kohath is divided into two – the sons of Aaron and the rest. Bullinger notes that four refers to all that is created. It points to material completeness. It is the world number and especially the city number.

The first family, that of Kohath, is divided into two portions. Two is the number of difference. In two, there is a contrast and yet there is a confirmation of things. For example, the Bible has two testaments. They contrast and yet they confirm the whole word of God.

Kohath, Obedience, is so divided. The first lot was for the sons of Aaron (Very High), each tribe of his allotted cities is a picture of Jesus, the Son of the Most High. He is the Praise of God (Judah). He is He Who Hears (meaning obeys) God (Simeon), He is the Son of the Right Hand (Benjamin).

And yet, they are given thirteen cities, the number of disorder, disintegration, etc. It is the state of the world into which Christ entered. But, as Bullinger explained, thirteen is connected to substitution and atonement. He is the fulfillment of everything associated with the priestly duties of substitution and atonement, as was made perfectly evident in the Leviticus sermons.

The second lot, the contrast and yet the confirmation, is seen in the remaining ten cities given to the rest of Kohath. Christ’s work is the perfection of divine order. He was Twice Fruitful in His Work through the Ashes of His afflictions (Ephraim), bringing in Jew and Gentile. He is the Judge of sin (Dan), it having been judged in Him. With that He Shall Forget their Sin, having paid sin’s penalty, From a Debt (Manasseh).

The second son is Gershon, Exiled One. This speaks of Christ in His work as well. He is Wages (Issachar) for the sin of man. He is Happy/Blessed (Asher) in the completion of His effort which was revealed in (Naphtali) My Wrestlings. He, the true Israel, wrestled with God and prevailed.

This was an allotment of thirteen cities, signifying the substitutionary and atoning work of Christ, despite the state of disorder and disintegration in the world which He entered.

The third son, Merari, anticipates Christ. The name means either My Bitterness or My Strength. They are two sides of the same coin because bitterness includes the idea of that which is strong. Either name will suffice. The completion of Christ’s work is the proof of God’s declaration of the Sonship of Christ – See a Son (Reuben). In the resurrection is realized His Fortune (Gad) and the granting of the Glorious Dwelling Place (Zebulun) as His rightful due.

This was an allotment of twelve cities, governmental perfection/perfection of government.

Everything about these allotted cities reveals the workings of God in Christ. And yet, there is another aspect of them seen in the Numbers 35 sermon which began to be revealed again in the Joshua 20 sermon. The six cities of refuge, although being a part of Levi’s allotment, are separate and unique.

There are 48 cities, but six are set apart from the others. In Numbers 35:6, it said –

“Now among the cities which you will give to the Levites you shall appoint six cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. And to these you shall add forty-two cities.”

The forty-two cities are secondary to the highly important designation of six cities of refuge. The Levitical cities are six plus forty-two first and foremost. One could say that the United States was first 13 with 37 states added later. Although all are equal, there is a special note of honor held among those designated first. 

Without the need to count on your fingers, I can tell you that 6 + 42 = 48. Bullinger notes that six “has to do with man; it is the number of imperfection; the human number; the number of MAN as destitute of God, without God, without Christ.” Simply put, it reveals fallen man. However, it also reveals Christ who came in the appearance of fallen man.

Forty-two is a most interesting number. Bullinger says it is a number connected with Antichrist, giving examples to support this. He then notes –

“Being a multiple of seven, it might be supposed that it would be connected with spiritual perfection. But it is the product of six times seven. Six, therefore, being the number of Man, and man’s opposition to God, forty-two becomes significant of the working out of man’s opposition to God.

There may be something more in the common phrase about things being all ‘sixes and sevens.’ They are so, indeed, when man is mixed up with the things of God, and when religious ‘flesh’ engages in spiritual things.”

Of the number 48, the obvious division of it by 12 and 4 is not to be missed. Twelve signifies the perfection of government. Four represents the number of material completeness. It is the world number, and especially the “city” number.

Thus, in these cities, one can see a representation of the kingdom of God in the world, with a special focus on 1) fallen man which is represented by the six cities of refuge, as well as 2) the kingdom of antichrist (the world opposed to God where religious flesh engages in spiritual things).

Despite the seeming contradiction in the individual numbers 6 and 42, with that of 48, it reveals that when taken together, the first two combine to form the perfection of God’s government in creation, or – more specifically – what God has used to form the kingdom of God in the world through the work of Christ.

It is a rather marvelous picture of Him, working through Christ, and forming this universal government, highlighted by those who come to take refuge in Him.

As seen earlier in Joshua 14:1-5, in these allotments, Levi anticipates Christ and His work in numerous ways. Levi is allotted his inheritance (the Lord is his inheritance) within Israel, dispersed among the other thirteen allotments.

Despite the disorder, disintegration, corruption, and so forth of Israel, God brought Jesus into the world through them. In His incarnation, He resided among them and brought them – meaning the commonwealth of Israel – into a double measure of spiritual perfection, inclusive of both Jew and Gentile.

The dispersion of Levi throughout the land meant that Levi always walked among the people. This is what is reflected about God in Christ according to Paul in 2 Corinthians 6 –

“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

The actual residing of Levi among Israel was to keep the people’s focus, understanding, and thoughts concentrated on the Lord. The Levites were to minister to the people in the things of the Lord, keeping them properly educated in the law. Someday the fulfillment of that will be seen when we dwell in heaven and Christ dwells in us and walks among us.

Everything mentioned about Levi throughout the books of Moses and here in Joshua is given to help us understand the work of Christ on our behalf and then to point us to our relationship with God because of Him.

When we consider Levi, as a tribe, their duties, their inheritance – all of it – anticipates the Person and work of Jesus. But this should not be unexpected. God used this imperfect tribe that is a portion of the imperfect people known as Israel to reveal to us the perfection of Christ Jesus. It is all in the numbers and names and it is marvelous.

Closing Verse: “Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.” Psalm 85:10, 11

Next Week: Joshua 21:9-19 They are designated for all of them, from the greatest to the least… (The Cities of the Children of Aaron, the Priest) (46th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His people rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

Cities to Dwell In

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses
Of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest
To Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ houses
Of the tribes of the children of Israel – the greatest to the least

And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan
Saying, “The LORD commanded, through Moses He did talk
To give us cities to dwell in
With their common-lands for our livestock

So the children of Israel
Gave to the Levites from their inheritance, as the law demands
At the commandment of the LORD
These cities and their common-lands:

Now the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites
And the children of Aaron the priest, who were
———-of the Levites we know
Had thirteen cities by lot from the tribe of Judah
From the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin also

The rest of the children of Kohath
Had ten cities by lot on that day
From the families of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan
And from the half-tribe of Manasseh

And the children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot
From the families of the tribe of Issachar, they came on
From the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali
And from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan

The children of Merari
According to their families had twelve cities, these they did accrue
From the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad
And from the tribe of Zebulun too

And the children of Israel gave these cities
With their common-lands by lot to the Levites
As the LORD had commanded
By the hand of Moses, they were given these sites

Lord God, turn our hearts to be obedient to Your word
Give us wisdom to be ever faithful to You
May we carefully heed each thing we have heard
Yes, Lord God may our hearts be faithful and true

And we shall be content and satisfied in You alone
We will follow You as we sing our songs of praise
Hallelujah to You; to us Your path You have shown
Hallelujah we shall sing to You for all of our days

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came near to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the children of Israel. 2 And they spoke to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, “The Lord commanded through Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with their common-lands for our livestock.” 3 So the children of Israel gave to the Levites from their inheritance, at the commandment of the Lord, these cities and their common-lands:

4 Now the lot came out for the families of the Kohathites. And the children of Aaron the priest, who were of the Levites, had thirteen cities by lot from the tribe of Judah, from the tribe of Simeon, and from the tribe of Benjamin. 5 The rest of the children of Kohath had ten cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Ephraim, from the tribe of Dan, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh.

6 And the children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot from the families of the tribe of Issachar, from the tribe of Asher, from the tribe of Naphtali, and from the half-tribe of Manasseh in Bashan.

7 The children of Merari according to their families had twelve cities from the tribe of Reuben, from the tribe of Gad, and from the tribe of Zebulun.

8 And the children of Israel gave these cities with their common-lands by lot to the Levites, as the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses.

 

 

Acts 17:7

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Wall of fallen heroes. Washington State Capitol.

Sunday, 28 May 2023

“Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.” Acts 17:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, Jason and some of his guests were dragged out of his house to the rulers of the city. There, the accusation was “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” Their words now continue with, “Jason has harbored them.”

The Greek word simply means “received,” but with the full intent of being received under one’s roof as a guest. However, the intent very well may be the stronger “harbored,” as if they were hiding enemies of the state. That is certainly what is being conveyed in the next words, “and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar.”

To form a charge against these men, of which Paul and Silas would be included because of the word “all,” a different tact had to be followed in Thessalonica than in Philippi. Because Philippi was a Roman colony, the accusation was the teaching of customs not lawful for Roman citizens to observe.

Thessalonica was not a colony, but it still fell under the authority of Rome. If Caesar had issued an edict, it would apply in any location under Roman rule. As such, they not only say that these men were acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, but the specific charge is that they were “saying there is another king—Jesus.”

It is the same accusation made against Jesus when He stood before Pilate. Of this, Vincent’s Word Studies, citing Merivale, says –

“The law of treason, by which the ancient legislators of the republic had sought to protect popular liberty from the encroachments of tyranny, …was gradually concentrated upon the emperor alone, the sole impersonation of the sovereign people. The definition of the crime itself was loose and elastic, such as equally became the jealousy of a licentious republic or of a despotic usurper.” (Merivale, “History of the Romans under the Empire”).

The words of those who believed could easily be taken out of context just as the words of Jesus were. Proclaiming a kingdom meant one was proclaiming a king. But the kingdom spoken of concerning Jesus at that time was a spiritual, not a temporal kingdom. Despite being apples and oranges, those making the charges have taken all the fruit and tossed it into one basket for their accusations.

Life application: It is not difficult to twist the intent of people’s words and actions to say something that was never the original thought. In the past, getting a few miscreants to make something up would add to the accusation. That happened with Jesus at his trial before the Sanhedrin. It is what occurs in this verse with the believers in Thessalonica.

Today, this is even easier to do. Deepfake voices and videos are becoming more difficult to tell from reality. Add in a few left-leaning government operatives who want someone silenced and the charges seem more probable by the moment. It has happened to citizens of various nations, and it has even happened to President Trump.

Once the left has assumed total control, which is not out of probability at this point, false charges will be made against anyone who will not fall in line with their demented ideology. True Christians, who are not demented, will be targeted for their stand on what is right, moral, and proper. If the rapture has not occurred before that time, we will not be spared from the wicked machinations of the government. Be prepared to stand on your faith in Christ and never cave in your morals and principles. The time is coming, so be prepared now.

Glorious Lord God, the world has tried to quiet the message of the gospel since the very beginning. That will only grow in the world as it slides into total wickedness and enmity with You. Give us strength, wisdom, and the necessary fortitude to stand on Your word and on the faith that we profess in Jesus Christ. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Acts 17:6

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

Another memorial. Nowadays, they defund these guys.

Saturday, 27 May 2023

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Acts 17:6

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, a mob had set the city in an uproar and attacked Jason’s house, seeking to bring Paul and Silas out to the people. However, it now says, “But when they did not find them.”

Paul and Silas were probably out instructing others or evangelizing at the time. This did not pacify the mob though. Instead, “they dragged Jason and some brethren.”

It is the same word used by Luke in Acts 8:3 –

“As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.”

The men were forcibly taken and hauled off. Fortunately, the crowd was not in such a heated rage as to kill them. However, they did drag them “to the rulers of the city.”

This is a marvelous set of words that confirm Luke’s careful attention to the details of the surrounding situation. Luke uses the word politarchés. Of this, Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Another illustration of Luke’s accuracy. Note that the magistrates are called by a different name from those at Philippi. Thessalonica was not a colony, but a free city…, and was governed by its own rulers, whose titles accordingly did not follow those of Roman magistrates. The word occurs only here and Acts 17:8, and has been found in an inscription on an arch at Thessalonica, where the names of the seven politarchs are mentioned. The arch is thought by antiquarians to have been standing in Paul’s time.”

Other scholars place the dating of this arch to the time of Vespasian, a few years after the time of Paul’s visit to Thessalonica. Either way, the accuracy of Luke concerning the title is incontrovertible.

Next, once the men were dragged before these city rulers, it says they were “crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’”

Another new word in Scripture, anastatoó, is seen here. HELPS Word Studies identifies its root as anistémi, to raise or rise up. Hence, it would signify turning something over, from up to down. It is obviously a complete exaggeration, except as any Jew would be aware. The incident at Philippi was only three Sabbaths earlier, and the city leaders would not have been the ones to convey the events to those in Thessalonica as they were in the wrong and would want them forgotten.

Thus, if any word had gotten to the city, it would have been because of some Jewish person recognizing them from some other synagogue or even from a visit to Israel. The previous verse clearly places the blame for the incitement on the Jews. And so, it is most likely that they alone fabricated the matter. It may be that Paul and Silas had told them they had been persecuted during their various travels. Once the message about Jesus was rejected by them, they could have turned around and bitten at the missionaries like rabid dogs.

Life application: The message of the good news about Jesus is a simple and direct matter. Man has sin, God sent His Son into the world to pay our sin debt, and if a person believes that, he will be forgiven. In this act of forgiveness, a new birth occurs. Life is bestowed and reconciliation is realized.

What is it about this simple offering of love by God that is so offensive to the world? Man has a problem, God offers to resolve it without any strings attached, and all the person needs to do is believe. It seems generous and gracious enough that if someone didn’t believe, he would just tell the person speaking to him, “Yes, that’s great. Thank you for telling me. Your words are kind and generous, but I just don’t believe what you say.”

That would be a normal and understandable note of rejection. However, the world bizarrely doesn’t just provide a “No thanks.” Rather, Christians have been killed and persecuted constantly since the coming of Jesus. It is almost incomprehensible. If someone was dying of thirst and another person offered water to save his life, you would not expect that person to fight against the offer and even kill the one with the water. And yet, that would be comparable to the attitude of people in relation to hearing and rejecting the gospel.

The reason for this is sin. Man does not want to acknowledge that he is a sinful being. Further, when confronted with sin, man does not want to admit that he can do nothing about his sinful state. It means that his life, his destiny, and his relationship with God are totally out of his hands. This is unpalatable to people. Unless they can come to the end of themselves and admit that they stand condemned without Jesus, a feeling of enmity will always exist. The more boastful and proud a person is, the more likely he is to hate the message of Jesus.

Obviously, there are other lesser reasons for people to despise the gospel. They may already have their own god or gods. Being told that those gods are not gods can be a real problem. But even something like that ultimately goes back to the sin issue. It is good to understand this. If you are ever faced with such enmity because of your faith, you at least will have a sense of why.

Be prepared to defend your faith but also be prepared to receive grief for doing so. It is to be expected. Sin is a strong master.

Glorious God, we know that You have done all that is necessary to bring us back to Yourself. Thank You for Jesus who has made this possible. We are grateful for the life You have granted to us because of His work. May we be willing to share this message with all people, even if it means we may face persecution in the process. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actsa 17:5

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

War Memorial at Washington State Capitol.

Friday, 26 May 2023

But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Acts 17:5

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The verbs of the NKJV just don’t get it. A closer rendering is, “But the unbelieving Jews, having become envious, and having taken to them certain evil men of the market-loungers, and having gathered a crowd, were setting the city in uproar. And having assailed the house of Jason, they were seeking them to bring out to the people” (CG).

The previous verse noted that some of the people were persuaded to believe based on Paul’s reasoning from Scripture, including a great multitude of the Greeks and not a few of the leading women. With that, there would instantly be a church of no small size formed in the city. This would obviously steal attention away from the synagogue. As this is so, the same thing that has happened to Paul previously comes about once again, saying, “But the unbelieving Jews, having become envious.”

Paul had reasoned with the Jews from Scripture. They refused to believe the words of their own writings as they pointed to Jesus. But with so many believing, the congregation of the synagogue would suddenly be significantly reduced. This would obviously mean less attention for them, less revenue coming in, etc. That immediately elicited feelings of jealousy. Because of that, they schemed against Paul and Silas. As it says, “and having taken to them certain evil men of the market-loungers.”

The word translated as market-loungers, agoraios, is found only here and in Acts 19:38. It is derived from agora, the market which is the central hub of the city. Thus, it signifies “relating to the marketplace.” As these are defined as evil men, it is assumed that it means they hung around the market where the magistrates were and sought to stir things up, looking for whatever opportunity they had to do so. One can think of a gaggle of lawyers that hangs around the courthouse today. With such a vulgar bunch now aligned with them, the words continue with, “and having gathered a crowd.”

This is a word found only once in Scripture, ochlopoieó. It is derived from two words signifying crowd and to make. Thus, it gives the sense of raising a public disturbance. With this accomplished, it goes on to say they “were setting the city in uproar.”

With probably no care at all about the cause of the Jew’s discontentment, nor any clue about those they were riling the masses up against, they just went forth agitating the people into a frenzy. Once such an event begins, it will usually take on its own legs and mind. This was the hope of the Jews who had been deprived of their usual Saturday crowds. Next, it says, “And having assailed the house of Jason.”

Paul’s connection to Jason (Greek: Iasón) is seen in verse 17:7. From that verse, it appears that this is where Paul and Silas stayed while in the city. It may be that this is the same Jason as is found in Romans 16:21, where Paul calls him one of “my countrymen.” However, the name was not an uncommon one. It belonged to the hero of the Argonauts of Greek legend. It was also the name of a noted tyrant and of an apostate high priest of Israel seen in the book of 2 Maccabees.

James Strong places his name as coming from the word iaomai, to heal, saying it means “about to cure.” Because of its similarity to the Greek spelling of the name Joshua or Jesus, it may have been adopted by Jews of that name as a Greek equivalent. Of this person, along with Paul and Silas, it says, “they were seeking them to bring out to the people.”

They were probably thinking on just the same lines as those in Philippi. “Let’s get them out into the public while the mob is stirred up and they will get a beating, maybe imprisoned, and maybe even kicked out of the city.”

Life application: This same type of treatment was seen on Paul’s first missionary journey. It was also just seen in Philippi. The Bible is carefully demonstrating the continued theme that the Jews in general were in the process of rejecting their Messiah. This was the case in the land of Israel, and it is continuing throughout Acts.

As such, we are being shown the reason that the Gentiles became the predominant force in furthering the gospel. The rejection of the gospel by Israel did not mean the end of the faith. It meant a new direction was taking place. God didn’t send His Son into the world just to have that marvelous news die off.

But more than this, it isn’t that the main focus of the gospel went to the East or to the South where those who descended from Ham settled. Rather, it has been carefully directed to the area where the sons of Japheth settled. It is from this line of the sons of Noah that the gospel would most completely be accepted and transmitted to the world.

These things do not mean, nor should it be inferred, that the Jews are not welcome to share in the gospel, nor does it mean that the others of the lines of Shem or Ham are not welcome into the church as believers. Rather, it only means that the sons of Japheth are the line by which the most effective acceptance, understanding, and transmission of the gospel would take place.

Further, this also does not mean that the Jewish people have been replaced by the church. Rather, the prophecy of Noah found in the blessing of his sons in Genesis 9 only implies that the Gentiles of Japheth would carry the spiritual banner for a certain amount of time. Eventually, that will revert to the line of Shem, meaning the nation of Israel. Their unfaithfulness to the Lord does not negate His faithfulness to the covenant that He made with them.

God is using the most opportune avenue of sending forth the gospel during this dispensation. He has directed it accordingly, and all who hear the message and believe will be saved. Someday, the church will be taken out at the rapture. At that time, the banner will return to the line of Shem and the care of the Jewish people.

Lord God, Your wisdom is beyond our ability to grasp. But You have given us clues of what You are doing and how You are doing it right in Your word. We are in awe of how You have laid out the world and the ages, bringing all things together to form a body of people for Your own. Thank You for allowing us to be a part of that. Help us to continue to share this message while we can. Amen.

 

 

 

Acts 17:4

Charlie Garrett Acts (Written)

War memorial. Washington State Capitol.

Thursday, 25 May 2023

And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. Acts 17:4

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

A more literal rendering than that of the NKJV needs to be used – “And some of them were persuaded and joined themselves to Paul and to Silas, along with a great multitude of the worshiping Greeks, and not a few of the leading women” (CG).

Paul has been in the synagogue at Thessalonica for three Sabbaths discussing the matter concerning Israel’s Messiah. He has just said, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” With that, it now notes, “And some of them were persuaded.”

Some translations say, “believed,” but this is not the word pisteuo found in verses such as John 3:16. Rather, this word, peithó, means to urge or to persuade. It is the root of the word pistis, or faith. They were persuaded, having faith that what they were told was true. Even if the meaning is that they believed, it is based on Paul’s teaching and urging. In this, they were persuaded, “and joined themselves to Paul and to Silas.”

It is a word found only here in Scripture, proskléroó. It signifies to assign by lot, to associate with, or to follow as a disciple. The basis of the word is kléroó, to assign by lot. Hence, it is to share common lot with another.

They have accepted the message that Jesus is the Christ and have thrown their lot in with those who proclaim Him. This has been referring to the Jews in the synagogue. However, they are not the only ones who have been so persuaded. It next notes, “along with a great multitude of the worshiping Greeks.”

Calling them “worshiping Greeks” means that they were proselytes to some degree or another. They had already accepted that the God proclaimed in the Jewish Scriptures was the true God and had worshiped Him as such. However, they have now been convinced, right from those same Scriptures, that Jesus is the fulfillment of them. He, in fact, is the promised Messiah. As a note of the universality of the message, it next says, “and not a few of the leading women.”

These would be influential women who were probably connected with ranking families within the community. They may have been proselytes, or they may have been the wives of some of the proselytes who came and they wanted to identify with their husbands. The main point is that the women were not excluded from this fellowship and these women were influential in their circles. Thus, they would become a means of attracting others as they developed in their own faith.

Of the status of women in Macedonia, the Pulpit Commentary says –

“Popular prejudice, and the verdict of Grecian wisdom in its best age, asserted her natural inferiority. The Athenian law provided that everything which a man might do by the counsel or request of a woman should be null in law. She was little better than a slave. To educate her was to advertise her as a harlot. Her companions were principally children and slaves. In Macedonia, however, monuments were erected to women by public bodies; and records of male proper names are found, in Macedonian inscriptions, formed on the mother’s name instead of on the father’s. Macedonian women were permitted to hold property, and were treated as mistresses of the house.”

Life application: In 1 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul says to those in the congregation, “…how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” This would obviously be people other than those who were mentioned in Acts 17:4. What can be inferred is that Paul and Silas talked to others throughout the week. Their soul-focus (pun intended) was not just on those at the synagogue, but it extended to pagans as well.

Though it was Paul’s practice to teach at the synagogue, it was also his passion to speak about Jesus to anyone at any time. It is a good lesson for us all. Our interactions with others regarding Jesus do not have to be limited to our time at church. Rather, we should be ready and willing to interact with people at all times. When the opportunity arises, let us open our mouths and speak!

Lord God, may we never withhold the precious, saving message of Jesus. Rather, give us the boldness to always tell others about His goodness. May You be glorified in our willingness to share the gospel often and with zeal. Be with us as we do! Amen.