Welcome to a group of women who's goal is to encourage each other to put down some serious roots in the Word of God. This blog is dedicated to reading through the Bible in a year. Hopefully you will find the encouragement and accountability here that you need to push through the tough parts- or when life just gets in the way. The reading plan is located at the bottom of the blog. It contains links to the passages we are reading through biblegateway.com. You can use those links or read your own Bible, whichever you prefer.
We are all members of Oak Hill Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia and felt the need in our own life for a little bit of the Lord's splendor. Please join us!!

Thursday, March 31, 2011

And The Lord Gave Them Rest On Every Side

The tribes of Simeon, Zebulun, Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and Dan were all given their territories (Simeon nestled within the land of Judah). When all the land was distributed, the people gave Joshua land of his own within the territory of Ephraim. It was noted that he "rebuilt" the city and lived in it - so not only was he a good spy (in his younger days), a good leader, a good commander and warrior, but a builder as well. I thought about the various territories and who lived next to whom. Were some "good neighbors" and some not? Did they share fields and pastures, or were there fences or walls between them? Are we good neighbors where we live? Can you borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor? Will a neighbor pick up your mail for you while you are on vacation? I believe being a good neighbor reflects who and what is in our hearts. The Cities of Refuge. Once again we are told of these appointed places of refuge. Cities scattered throughout the land as a place to flee from the "avenger." Note that each of these cities was situated within a day's journey from anywhere in the Promised Land - so a man could reach a haven of safety by walking a day's journey. And all of these cities of refuge were within the cities of the Levites. In one of the commentaries I read it stated that these cities of refuge were probably on a "hill" so that the person seeking refuge could look up in the distance and see, at the end of a long day's journey, that he was close to safety and rest. Jesus is our refuge - no matter where we are or where we've been. Just "look" up and seek His smiling face - ever ready to welcome us home with open arms. The Levites were given 48 cities with pasture lands beside them. (Certainly a peaceful image when you picture that scene in your mind's eye - sheep grazing, green grass, brooks bubbling). The chapter ends with "And the Lord gave them rest on every side . . . not one of the promises made to Israel which the Lord had made had failed." Still true today. Reminds me of the hymn -
There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.

A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God.

Hold us who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.
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4 comments:

  1. localpersonMarch 31, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Jeanette said....What an awesome post, Barbara! I love the way you ended today's summary.....God keeps His promises....ALL HIS PROMISES! Such a good God we have. I'm looking up!!

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  2. MindyMarch 31, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    LOVE the picture Ms. Barbara! Great visual of the feeling of the person seeking refuge. I have always thought the parallel between the cities of refuge in Israel and Jesus as our "city" of refuge was quite amazing. I also enjoyed your point about being a good neighbor, something that is lost in our current society. We mostly keep to ourselves and don't want to bother with those that live around us. Where I live, we still have that friendly and helpful neighbor thing going on. We watch out for each other's houses, stop and talk with each other, and have even helped each other in serious medical emergencies. In general, we are there for each other. This is the way God intended for neighbors to treat each other! Great post Ms. Barbara!!!

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  3. NatalieApril 1, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    "Not one of ALL the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; EVERY ONE WAS FULFILLED."
    This one verse gives me so much hope. If we know someone has kept their promises in the past, we can be that much more confident that they will keep their promises in the future. Not one of all the promises God has made to us will go unfulfilled. Doesn't that breathe some fresh wind into your sails??
    And I love the hymn Barbara, there have been so many times I've felt "near to the heart of God" when I desperately needed it. The reminder made me tear up. :) Thank you for another WONDERFUL post. And thank you Lord for your word.

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  4. TerryApril 1, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Barbara, you have wonderful insight into these verses. As I was reading, I thought what in the world would I post from these chapters!?!? :)

    I also appreciate the point about being good neighbors. Great comments!

    I got tickled when I read about one of the boundary points for the Naphtali territory... "Their boundary went from Heleph and the large tree in Zaanannim..." (19:33). Wonder if that tree is still there!! :)

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