Joshua 19:1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.
Joshua 19:9Out of the portion of the children of Judah was the inheritance of the children of Simeon: for the part of the children of Judah was too much for them: therefore the children of Simeon had their inheritance within the inheritance of them.
Yesterday we spoke of the remaining seven tribes that had not yet received their inheritance. So from chapter eighteen through the end of chapter nineteen the details of their inheritances are laid out. I'm not going to deal with all seven tribes and their individual inheritances but I do want to try and learn a lesson from the inheritance of Simeon. I've attached a map of the divisions made by Joshua to help us get a better understanding of their borders. Look at Simeon's lot. Completely swallowed up by his brother Judah. His is, as far I can tell, the only one who is land locked completely by another single tribe. Now some might would look at this and believe it to be a misfortune and a great injustice to the tribe of Simeon but I have to look at this as a great advantage. See, other tribes had a border that touched enemy territory and therefore leaving a vantage point for the enemy to come in. The borders that touched the other tribes was not a cause for fear but assurance that the enemy would have to pass through my brothers tribe to reach me. Yet on the border where there was no brother they would have to face the blunt of the enemy with no damper. Now consider Simeons lot in that light and you'll have to agree that Simeon had the greatest inheritance of all from a military stand point because before the enemy could every make it to him they would first have to face and fight Judah. Sure he was swallowed up by his brother but this was a blessing and not a misfortune.
Moving now to ourselves. Consider our lot now it is much like the lot of Simeon. As Simeon was swallowed up and "in" Judah so are we swallowed up and in the Lion of The Tribe of Judah. The lost world may look at our lot and say what poor people who's whole life is wrapped up in someone else. They have no borders of their own but are swallowed up by what they would call religion. Consider now our lot not as the world considers it but think of the great peace and safety that we have in Christ. I know that before the enemy gets to me it has first gotten to Him. In Christ, condemnation can not reach me there, Judgment can not reach me there, Christ took all that upon Himself and shielded me from it. When I look to the south I see Jesus, when I look to the north I see Jesus, When I look to the east and west I see Jesus. Friend this is no misfortune but rather the greatest blessing of all. To be "in Christ". Simeon's name means to hear and so are all that are in Christ. We heard the Gospel and believed it and now our whole inheritance is wrapped up in Him. Simeon was privileged to have a place surrounded by the protection of Judah. We are highly blessed to have our lot in Christ. He took the blunt of judgment for us and for all that are in Him. The enemy may taunt and harass but we can rest assured that we are safe in Christ. God help us to never despise the lot you've given to us. I've heard and seen some Christians who wish they still had some attachment to the outside world and come to despise the inclusiveness of their lot in Christ. Let that never be our case. We are wrapped up in Him and what a privilege it is. How have you viewed your lot as a Christian? Has the inclusiveness of the Christian life been despised by you? Run far from that state of mind and thank God that our brother has room for us in His inheritance.
It is impossibly to talk about the lot of Judah without talking about the lot of Simeon because you couldn't survey one without seeing the other. So is our lot as the church, you can't survey the inheritance of Christ without seeing, right in the middle, the lot that He has for His church.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,......
Rom 8:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;..........
In Christ Alone my hope is found!!
Onward Christian Soldier!!