Joshua 21 - L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

CITIES GIVEN TO THE LEVITES

(vs.1-42)

Since the Levites were not given a tribal inheritance as were the other tribes, it was necessary that they should have cities among all the tribes Their representatives therefore came to Eleazar and Joshua (v.1) to remind them that the Lord had promised through Moses to give them such cities, both for themselves and for their livestock (v.2).

These cities were then given by lot to the Levites, beginning with the families of the Kohathites. Aaron was from that family, and his family (the priests) were given thirteen cities by lot, from the tribes of Judah, Simeon and Benjamin. This was appropriate, for Jerusalem (God's center)was on the borders of Judah and Benjamin, and Simeon was included in Judah. Thus the priests would be near to God's sanctuary, to do service there. The priests were (typically) the worshipers, so that in the service of God they came first. The rest of the Kohathites were given ten cities by lot in Ephraim, Dan and Manasseh. Kohath means "obedient," and stands for the objective ministry of the Word of God that is itself fully subject to that Word. Their service was connected with those things that speak directly of Christ, caring for the furnishings of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:4-15), so that Kohath's ministry would involve the blessedness of the position that all believers have 'in Christ." We may be sure that all the cities allotted to them had some spiritual significance consistent with the character of their work.

The children of Gershon were given thirteen cities by lot from Issachar, Asher and Naphtali and the half tribe of Manasseh east of Jordan (v.6). Gershom means "a stranger there," speaking of that service for God that does not settle down in the world, but serves God without selfish, material motives. Gershom's service was connected with the curtains and coverings of the tabernacle, the hangings for the door and for the court. Thus the spiritual significance of Gershom's service is that of encouraging a godly walk through a world in which we are strangers, a walk that honors God, though the world does not understand.

The children of Merari received twelve cities from the tribes of Reuben, Gad and Zebulon, with surrounding lands (vs.7-8). The service of Merari involved caring for the boards of the tabernacle, its bars, pillars and sockets, pegs and cords with all their furnishings (Numbers 4:29-32). The boards speak of believers joined together by bars and sockets, and the pillars, of believers holding up hangings, etc. All of this indicates not only the walk of believers personally through the world, but of their united testimony as joined together by the power of the Spirit of God.

GOD'S PROMISE FULFILLED

(vs.43-45)

With all the tribes being given their place in the land, it is now emphasized that what God had promised He had fulfilled to Israel, so that they took possession of the land, dwelling in it (v.43). He gave them rest all around, so that not a man of all their enemies was able to resist their taking the land (v.44). God had done all that He had promised.

This is true for believers today. The book of Acts gives us the history of God's establishing the Church of God in separation from the world, though in it, giving us a heavenly inheritance as clearly taught in the epistles. God on His part had done everything for our blessing. But just as Israel failed in their response to God's faithfulness, so has the Church failed to manifest a true response to God's grace in acting upon the truth of what they have been given and what we are "in Christ."

Yet it is good for us to get back to the sublime pronouncement, "Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass" (v.45). Thank God we may rest on His faithfulness, though all else may fail.