Joshua
21 is one of the longer passages regarding the allocation of cities. It is
about the allocation of cities to the Levites. It took place at
Shiloh. As we know, Moses and Aaron were biological brothers. They came from
the tribe of Levi. Aaron was sent by God to assist Moses in leading the people
out of the bondage of Egypt. He was appointed as the priest to the nation of
Israel. The names of Aaron’s three sons were Kohath, Gershon, and Merari.
In this chapter, we also see how the different tribes of Israel selflessly
contributed cities to the descendants of these three sons of Aaron.
According
to the command of the LORD, the descendants of Kohath received twenty-three
cities. Thirteen came from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin and ten
came from Ephraim, Dan and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The sons of Gershon
received thirteen cities from the tribes of Issachar, Asher and Manasseh and
the half tribe of Manasseh in the land of Bashan. And the sons of Merari
received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun. Verse
41 then summarizes and tells us that in total forty-eight cities and the
pasture lands surrounding them were given to the Levites. Notice that the
cities were in the midst of the possession of the sons of Israel. From this,
we know that Levitical cities were scattered among the people of Israel.
What
were the functions of the Levites? There were two things that they needed to
do. Firstly, they were expected to be salt and light among the Israelites, all
throughout the land where they were located. Secondly, they were tasked to
teach the law to the people wherever they were situated. These functions remind
us of our functions in the community God has set us. First Peter 2:9
specifically says that “you (we) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that
you (we) may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you (us) out
of darkness into His marvelous light….” We, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ,
are called out of the world to be salt and light of the Lord. We are now to
make known the excellencies of His glorious name. These are our functions
today.
Israel
as a nation took great care in carrying out the order of the LORD regarding the
contribution to the Levitical cities. In verse 3 we are told that they obeyed the
LORD. This chapter shows us that they took great care in carrying out the
LORD’s command. It also shows us that they did not leave the servants of the
LORD unattended. They took responsibility to care for His servants by
supporting those who gave their lives to serve God in the ministry and so must
we. They have left an example for us, the church, on how we also need to
function in unity. Every tribe played his part and contributed something to the
work of the ministry. That’s how we too ought to contribute to the work of the
ministry. So that as a complete unit, we can advance the Kingdom of Christ.
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