“Which the children of Aaron, being of the families of the Kohathites, who were of the children of Levi, had: for theirs was the first lot.”
Context: The book of Joshua records the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. In Joshua 21, we find the allocation of the cities to the Levites, who were set apart as priests and given specific duties in the service of God.
The Kohathites: The verse mentions the families of the Kohathites, who were one of the three main branches of the tribe of Levi. The Kohathites had an important role in the tabernacle worship, being responsible for the care and transportation of the sacred furniture and utensils (Numbers 3:27-32).
Inheritance of the Levites: While the other tribes of Israel received their respective portions of land, the Levites did not inherit any land for themselves. Instead, God commanded that they be given cities to live in and the surrounding pasturelands (Joshua 21:2-3). This was to ensure that the Levites could focus on their priestly duties and serve as spiritual leaders among the people.
The First Lot: Joshua 21:10 specifies that the cities mentioned in the verse were given to the children of Aaron, who were from the family line of the Kohathites. The “first lot” indicates that they were among the first to receive their cities.
Significance of the First Lot: The mention of the “first lot” emphasizes the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to the Levites. God had promised them cities to live in, and He ensured that this promise was fulfilled. The “first lot” also indicates the importance of the priestly role in the worship and service of God. The priests had a central place in the religious life of Israel, offering sacrifices, teaching the people, and mediating between God and the nation.
Symbolic Meaning: Symbolically, the inheritance of the Levites represents the spiritual aspect of life. They were not given material possessions like the other tribes, but their inheritance was the Lord Himself (Deuteronomy 10:9). Their primary focus was on the worship of God and leading the people in obedience to His commandments.
Application: Joshua 21:10 reminds us of the importance of prioritizing spiritual matters in our lives. Just as the Levites were set apart for the service of God, we, as believers, are called to dedicate ourselves to the worship and service of God. We should strive to give Him first place in our lives and faithfully fulfill our roles in His kingdom.
In summary, Joshua 21:10 highlights the allocation of cities to the Kohathites, who were from the family line of Aaron. This verse emphasizes the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the significance of the priestly role in Israel’s worship. It also encourages us to prioritize spiritual matters and wholeheartedly serve God in our lives.
