Jos 19:1-9 | KingComments | STEP | In this chapter the remaining tribes get their inheritance. Each of the tribes has then been assigned his own piece of land. The borders are indicated precisely. Thus, individually applied, “God has allotted to each a measure of faith” ( ). God has given each one exactly enough for the task to be performed. Even when it comes to taking possession of the spiritual blessings, everyone has received from God what is necessary. This chapter ends with the inheritance of Joshua. He is assigned this by the Israelites, by “the command of the LORD” ( ). This is wonderful. Christ, in the picture of Joshua, has divided the land among God’s people. As proof of our gratitude to Christ, we as God’s people may give Him an inheritance in our midst. In the meetings of the believers – in “the tent of meeting” ( ) – this may become manifest. By lot, Simeon gets an inheritance in the midst of Judah’s inheritance. Judah has a large inheritance, more than they can maintain themselves. They have enough room for another tribe. Simeon is the smallest of all tribes. They do not need much land. Thus can the abundance of one serve in the lack of the other (cf. ). A place in the midst of another inheritance is not an easy place. This means an exercise for both Judah and Simeon. Judah is by far the boss of Simeon. Simeon has increasingly merged into Judah, they have not been able to preserve their own character. The place of Simeon in the territory of Judah can be applied to persons and churches that are hardly recognizable by their own characteristics. They are influenced by other people or churches. One does not have one’s own opinion, but relies entirely on others. The exceptions are believers who make a decision out of personal conviction, while others are guided by others. We see that also when Judah asks Simeon a little later to join him to conquer land ( ). Then it turns out that Simeon does not decide himself before the LORD independently of Judah. Judah acts according to the voice of God, Simeon acts according to the voice of Judah. It would have been better if Simeon had waited for the LORD’s voice. When it comes to understanding the voice of the Lord, it is necessary to be independent from others. This also goes for Judah by the way, for why is it necessary to ask Simeon to go along when the LORD has said that they have to go up as a tribe? Yet later something positive about Simeon is mentioned as well, namely that they desire expansion ( ). They got it too. If we recognize ourselves in a position like Simeon, we don’t have to be desperate. Another positive mention of Simeon is that in the time of the apostacy of the ten tribes under Jeroboam many from the Simeon tribe remain faithful to the house of David ( ). A number of residents have moved north, to Ephraim and Manasseh ( ). This is probably the explanation for the fact that only Judah and Benjamin are mentioned as the tribes that followed David’s house. In the part given to Simeon, Jacob’s prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi is fulfilled: “I will disperse them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” ( ). Both the Levites and the Simeonites are scattered, but in a different way. The Simeonites merge into Judah and almost lose their identity. The Levites are spread throughout the land in cities as a blessing for the people.

‏ Joshua 19:1-9

Introduction

In this chapter the remaining tribes get their inheritance. Each of the tribes has then been assigned his own piece of land. The borders are indicated precisely. Thus, individually applied, “God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Rom 12:3). God has given each one exactly enough for the task to be performed. Even when it comes to taking possession of the spiritual blessings, everyone has received from God what is necessary.

This chapter ends with the inheritance of Joshua. He is assigned this by the Israelites, by “the command of the LORD” (Jos 19:49-50). This is wonderful. Christ, in the picture of Joshua, has divided the land among God’s people. As proof of our gratitude to Christ, we as God’s people may give Him an inheritance in our midst. In the meetings of the believers – in “the tent of meeting” (Jos 19:51) – this may become manifest.

The Inheritance of Simeon

By lot, Simeon gets an inheritance in the midst of Judah’s inheritance. Judah has a large inheritance, more than they can maintain themselves. They have enough room for another tribe. Simeon is the smallest of all tribes. They do not need much land. Thus can the abundance of one serve in the lack of the other (cf. 2Cor 8:14).

A place in the midst of another inheritance is not an easy place. This means an exercise for both Judah and Simeon. Judah is by far the boss of Simeon. Simeon has increasingly merged into Judah, they have not been able to preserve their own character.

The place of Simeon in the territory of Judah can be applied to persons and churches that are hardly recognizable by their own characteristics. They are influenced by other people or churches. One does not have one’s own opinion, but relies entirely on others. The exceptions are believers who make a decision out of personal conviction, while others are guided by others.

We see that also when Judah asks Simeon a little later to join him to conquer land (Jdg 1:3). Then it turns out that Simeon does not decide himself before the LORD independently of Judah. Judah acts according to the voice of God, Simeon acts according to the voice of Judah. It would have been better if Simeon had waited for the LORD’s voice. When it comes to understanding the voice of the Lord, it is necessary to be independent from others. This also goes for Judah by the way, for why is it necessary to ask Simeon to go along when the LORD has said that they have to go up as a tribe?

Yet later something positive about Simeon is mentioned as well, namely that they desire expansion (1Chr 4:39). They got it too. If we recognize ourselves in a position like Simeon, we don’t have to be desperate. Another positive mention of Simeon is that in the time of the apostacy of the ten tribes under Jeroboam many from the Simeon tribe remain faithful to the house of David (2Chr 15:9). A number of residents have moved north, to Ephraim and Manasseh (2Chr 34:6). This is probably the explanation for the fact that only Judah and Benjamin are mentioned as the tribes that followed David’s house.

In the part given to Simeon, Jacob’s prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi is fulfilled: “I will disperse them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel” (Gen 49:7b). Both the Levites and the Simeonites are scattered, but in a different way. The Simeonites merge into Judah and almost lose their identity. The Levites are spread throughout the land in cities as a blessing for the people.