Joshua 19-21

If you get a chance, go back to Jacob's blessing to his sons in Genesis 49.....it is pretty cool to see the prophecy coming into play.....

We read about Simeon's allotment in our reading today of Joshua 19.   Simeon's allotment is described by cities rather than borders, because Simeon's allotment is from Judah's portion...note that in Genesis 45: 5, it says "Simeon and Levi are brothers-their swords are weapons of violence.  Let me not enter their council, let me not join their assembly, for they have killed men in their anger and hamstrung oxen as they pleased.  Cursed be their anger, so fierce, and their fury so cruel!  I will scatter them in Jacob and disperse them in Isreal."......remember Dinah, the only daughter that was captured and raped by the Schechemites (Genesis 34) and the Simeon and Levi tricked and killed them?  Simeon is indeed scattered.

Eleazar, Joshua and the heads of the clans are at the Tent of the Meeting in Shiloh casting lots; the holy lottery is what it is according to my study bible.   This ensures that no man makes the decision, but the Lord does...and it just so happens to coincide with the prophecy of Jacob.  Coincidence?   I don't think so.

Cities of Refuge are assigned....keep in mind that God is teaching a new system of justice.  Revenge was the driving force of this culture...now, they are begining to work on justice and the priest judges the crime......we'll move into judges in two days.  Can you believe that tomorrow we finish Joshua?

And our reading concludes with, "Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Isreal (remember that Jacob was renamed this)  failed; everyone was fulfilled."  The Lord does what he says He is going to do, Amen!!