Joshua 21

Joshua 21

Joshua is old and close to death. Here the leaders of Levi meet Joshua in Shiloh where the tabernacle was to discuss their provisioning v1-2.

The various families of Levi are named are allotted their towns and pastures all spread throughout the conquered territories, though they are not given a tribal territory like the other tribes.  The reason for this is repeatedly mentioned elsewhere, the Levites portion with be the priesthood for the rest of the nation. (v4-41)

The end of the chapter takes a moment to conclude the Lord’s faithfulness to all that He promises them concerning the promised land (v43-45).  The theme of “rest” appears again in verse 44.  This rest is a working theme that began with creation in Genesis.  God rests from His work on the seventh day. The second time rest appears is in reference to the promised land, the land in which they are now occupying.   Now we see here that the Lord has given the nation rest from their campaign.  The theme of rest will again appear throughout the Bible’s narrative and will ultimately point to Jesus Christ as being the ultimate rest for God’s people.