God's Plans and Blessings

Scripture: This is the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon according to its clans. The inheritance of Simeon came out of the share of Judah, because Judah’s portion turned out to be more than they needed. That’s how the people of Simeon came to get their lot from within Judah’s portion. Joshua 19:8-9

Observation: How it is that the tribe of Simeon received their portion as an island within Judah has always seemed confusing, but this provides clarity. In fact, the entire allocation of lands - and how they map to later conversations about which tribes are part of which countries when Israel divides, and how those divided countries are even named - has seemed confusing. As this now appears, here are the allocations after Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh asked for land east of the Jordon (and Levi does not receive an allocation):

-- The large amount of 'claimed' land is divided in two ...

     - Judah (the son who received the birthright of Jacob) receives half.

     - Joseph (Jacob's favorite son) receives half, which was then divided to

       his sons Ephraim and the rest of Manasseh.

-- The remaining seven tribes will now get what is left.

Benjamin (Joseph's full brother from Rebecca, and the son Judah swore to protect) gets the first lot, and it is the land sitting firmly and safely between Judah and Joseph. The next lot goes to Simeon, the second oldest son of Jacob, after Reuben ... like Levi, he too was passed over for Jacob's birthright due to their actions at Shechem, but didn't later redeem himself as Levi did. So in effect he gets part of Judah's birthright ... the overflow of that portion, because Judah has received "more than they needed".

Application: As I consider the lessons of this - the structure of how the land was allocated - I see two elements. The first is that, what at first glance seems like a random drawing, instead is completely and totally managed by the Lord, aligned to actions and decisions made hundreds of years in advance. There is order that cannot be denied. The second element is the overflow of the blessings of the Lord. If Judah is 'blessed' as the son who received the birthright from Jacob, it is obvious that blessing is so great and abundant that another full tribe can receive enough too.

While both of these are enough to study for a lifetime, it is fascinating to see them manifest in a part of scriptures that seems procedural and meaningless to current life. I mean ... why would I or anyone else care about how land was divided up by the tribes approximately 3,300 years ago? Well, the answer is that I can take away two amazing and comforting truths about the Lord when I pay attention to this.

The Lord has a plan, and that plan includes an abundant blessing so that we may bless others from the overflow.

Prayer: Lord, you have and do provide for me and my family daily, and I know you have guided my life in all of this. May I truly figure out how to bless others, as you have so richly blessed me, daily. Amen.