Pillar of Fire

Suffering

We are taught by Jesus:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  Matthew 7:13-14

The word narrow above means “crowded” in the original Greek.  It is not being used in reference to many people being on the same path, but instead, it is being used to indicate the difficulty that will be involved for a believer to pass through the tight and almost suffocating path that leads to eternal life with Christ.  The same Greek word used for narrow above is also used for the word afflicted three times in the New Testament.

Isn’t this appropriate?  Doesn’t this illustrate what the Lord meant when He said we are to take up our crosses everyday and follow Him?  Can we recall His journey?

The Temptation

The Opposition

The Blood dripping from His brow in Gethsemane

The Betrayal

The Beating

The Humiliation

The Crowds Yelling, “Crucify Him!”

The Carrying of the Cross

The Nails in the Hands and the Feet

The Death

Yet - He endured through it all.  And He calls those who believe in Him to also endure unto the end.  We have no strength on our own, but when we abide in His Body, we are kept by His Goodness and have His power driving us, feeding us, and helping us.  

We are promised in the Word of God that we will face tremendous afflictions - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  We will.  

We will not read that we are to give in to the affliction - that we are to be driven to commit sin or an act that is against God’s will in order to escape the trial we face, as a result of the affliction.  The flesh will quite naturally want to seek what may falsely appear as “peace” in order to escape whatever plagues the flesh - be it emotional or physical -- the flesh seeks pleasure and strives to avoid pain on most levels. 

 Yet - we are told repeatedly that we are not to allow our flesh to lead us.  As difficult as that may be, we are called to “put on Christ” and allow Him to help us endure the anguish until the trial passes. Even if the trial brings death, we are called to endure that trial in faith and by remaining in the will of God.  

 If a person is a believer, we are promised that the Lord will provide all of our needs, even when we find ourselves experiencing tremendous physical or emotional anguish.

I have an uncle who is in his sixties, and for over a year, he has been enduring a tremendous physical battle.  He has throat cancer.  He weighed approximately 170 pounds, but now he is close to 100 pounds.  Due to the location of the cancer, his ability to eat has been affected.  The pain that plagues his body has also affected his ability to eat.  The size of the tumor has affected his breathing and eating as well.  He visited the doctor about a month ago, and he was told that he had weeks to days left.  

His story is a unique one.  It is my understanding that he stopped attending school in the second grade.  I don’t know all of the details as to why that occurred, but I do believe that his reading and writing skills are very limited, as one would expect under such circumstances.  He was and is very child-like in ways beyond reading and writing.  I know the world loves to label people, but I can’t bring myself to use a worldly label for him.  He was always just Michael.  There was never an IQ test.  There was never a meeting with so-called experts making an attempt to diagnose him as a child.  He was just and is just Michael.

At the age of 62, child-like Michael was faced with a trial of tremendous affliction.  He had never taken drugs, never smoked, never tasted alcohol, yet he was diagnosed with throat cancer.  Michael, who for as long as I have known him, spent his life having one passion →  The LORD.  How many times can I remember as a young girl seeing him dressed for church, Bible in hand,  getting in the car waiting for someone to drive him to church?  Countless times.

Although he is plagued by physical pain, he has remained steadfastly faithful that God’s Will shall be done in his life.  He has not complained.  I visited him ( he lives 3 hours away) a few months ago, and it was very remarkable when I walked into his home.  It is a home that he shares with his older sisters.

Michael never left home.  He stayed with my granny and pawpaw, his mother and father, until they died.  He still lives in the same location with his older sisters.  They have always provided his needs and continue to do so in what appear to be his last days.  

When I walked into their home, he sat on the recliner.  There

was an almost visible peace that seemed to surround him.  I was struck by that.  There were also the visible signs of cancer too, but the peace that was present far outweighed the fragile body weakened by cancer.     

Since then, I have been informed that Michael has awakened and articulated to his sisters that he had been seeing something in his room.  Four times - he has seen an image.  He called it a Pillar of Fire.  

My mother told me this one evening about a month ago.  It struck me as very odd because just an hour before being told this, my son and I sat on my porch, and he used the same phrase.  

The phrase Pillar of Fire is used in the Bible when the Lord is leading the Israelites through the darkness or wilderness.  God’s will was to lead them to the promised land.  They needed to only trust and follow the Light He provided.

Exodus 13:21 - And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.

Even in his darkest hours where he seems to find no physical rest due to pain and breathing difficulties, the Lord is leading child-like Michael through the narrow, crowded, and afflicted way.  Few there be that find it, but those who do find the narrow way will also find the Lord.  The Lord will light the way during our afflictions.   

My mother, his younger sister by two years, visited him a little over a week ago.  Physically, his body is deteriorating very rapidly.  Physically, he appears to have no strength.  Physically, he appeared too fragile to even hug.  But spiritually, his faith was strong.  While there, he indicated that he wanted to buy food for his visitors (my mom included). He cannot speak clearly at this stage and be understood without a great deal of questions from others and nods from himself. 

 Yet - he insisted that he wanted to buy food for those who were visiting him that day.  My mom, very instinctively, declined, for she did not want to eat in his presence when he consumes little to nothing each day.  She felt that would have been disrespectful to him, but Elizabeth, one of the sister’s who has always taken care of him, insisted that they allow him to do that for them.  It was his desire to feed them.  

I tell you that I weep as I type those words above.  He weighs 100 pounds and drinks a few ounces  of liquid a day, and his heart’s desire in that moment was to feed healthy people…  When my mom shared this story with me, I thought of our Lord the night before he was crucified.  Did he not wash the feet of his disciples knowing that His crucifixion was at hand?  Did he not sit before his disciples and serve them bread hours before hanging on a cross?  Did he not share his love for them moments before sweating drops of blood in Gethsemane?  Love.  Death to Flesh.  Servitude.  

Child-like Michael has spent 62 years living a relatively secluded life - never taking part in the so-called “pleasures” and “necessities” that this world has to offer - educational systems, workforce, wealth,  etc.  Yet, this seemingly unknown person is spending what appear to be his last days enduring in the faith and, as a direct result, showing the character of the Vine he is abiding within - the Vine of Christ.  

Affliction, although so very difficult, is not to be escaped by the flesh.  It is to be endured IN Christ.  Affliction is an instrument used to mold and shape a believer into the image of Christ.  

Paul teaches us words to live by, literally, when we are afflicted:

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Peter also teaches the believer that we are to endure by placing our faith in the Lord, and that after we have endured, the Lord’s Grace will guide us to true, sinless freedom.  

1 Peter 5:

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

No matter the affliction we are called to endure IN Christ, may we always keep our eyes on Him, believing and knowing that He will guide us with a PILLAR OF FIRE so that we can journey through the narrow way to HIM!   

GLORY TO GOD!  

Michael standing beside his sister, my mother.  There are afflictions to endure, and with child-like faith we are called to BELIEVE that the Lord will carry us through. 

Shiloh

For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death.   - Revelation 12: 10-11

I have begun many a personal writing with a statement like, "When I was praying or seeking God..."  Although beginning a writing with that phrase typically may not be the most unique way, it is an honest admission on my part.

May the word of my testimony please Him, and may ALL glory go to the only One who deserves it: 

Yesterday, I sought the Lord all day.  The day before yesterday, I sought the Lord.  And if I am to be honest, the Lord has been seeking me.  I recently wrote a blog titled Seemeth Right (click on title for the link).  The Lord, through several very specific and undeniable moments, led me to write that blog.  It is a writing inspired by Him, and the subject is one to take very seriously.  So much hinges on a person's walk with the Lord.  We must actively seek His will and His Truth.

I prayed upstairs yesterday evening; my house had just emptied, and I needed to hear Him speak to me.  I have said this before, but it is true - I do not ever want to speak falsely for God.  That is always in the forefront of my mind.  Why?  Because there is so much that is falsely represented as being in the name of Christ.  The Lord is truly my Love.  I respect Him.  I adore Him.  I love His Word.  At night, I find myself holding the Bible in my arms as I sleep.  He is my peace, my safety, my all.  Holding His Word to my heart while sleeping started about 6 years ago when I faced a trial that I thought would destroy me.  I prayed and I clutched His Word during the darkest of nights years ago - nights where my bed literally shook due to the fear that Satan brought into my mind.  I will never forget how the Lord delivered me during such times.  I revere Him.  My Holy God is the only One I long to serve.  I owe Him everything. 

Yesterday,  I prayed alone in a dark bedroom seeking His face.  I have been writing via this blog for a few years now, but I never openly spoke of "my blog" to those who are closest to me.  Recently, I made it apparent to those closest to me that I share my heart and my relationship with the Lord via a blog.  That was a big step for me.  But I have done so, not to mock others or to have myself gain any type of attention.  I have done so because I want my walk with Christ to be TRANSPARENT to everyone.  Nothing hidden.  Nothing that appears deceptive.  I love my brothers and sisters in Christ so very much.  I want my love for the Lord to be transparent to all.  Before - I didn't share because I wanted to avoid opposition and debate - God knows I have spent my life, even as a child, avoiding strife and debate.   

There are times when we must sacrifice the "peace" of our flesh for the Lord's calling in our lives. 

So yesterday - I prayed upstairs while my house was empty.  Oh, how I was seeking Him on what He had revealed to me these last few days.  What a difficult message to share with others.  My prayers were urgent and heartfelt.  I needed His Truth. I needed His confirmation on the matter. I pleaded before Him for several minutes.  I cried out to Him.  I poured out all to Him.  I have learned that He speaks when I hold nothing back in my prayers.  I won't share all of my cries to Him, but I will share some areas of my prayers yesterday.  

. . . Lord, my motives have been misunderstood by many.  Many believe that I am misled and arrogant. ... But, Lord they do not see what happens in this room when I am alone with you.  They do not see the tears that have been shed in Your presence.  They do not see the amount of time I spend weeping at Your feet making sure that You have spoken what I share with them.. .  Lord, I need Your Spirit to reveal this to me.  I don't want my interpretation, the devil's interpretation.  Only Yours, Lord.  Reveal Your Truth to me.   Lord, show me that my alms and my prayers today have reached to You in Your Holy Place, God.  I have to know that my prayers are in Your presence. . .

I prayed like this for several minutes.  I can't put into words what that transparent time of sobbing was like.  God knows all though.  All that was prayed.  I sat back on my legs after this time of crying out to the Lord, and when I did, I heard:    SHILOH.

When I heard the word, I knew it had come from Him.  It was a word that I had never studied and never heard anyone teach on.  But there it was - very clearly - SHILOH.  I began speaking it out loud as I got up and as I walked to a place where I could look it up.

The first use of the word SHILOH is in Genesis 49:10.  I turned there in my Bible and read:

The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Right beside this verse in the particular Bible that I clutched was a cross reference to Revelation 5:5.  I felt very led to turn there, and I began reading at verse 5, chapter 5:

⁵ And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
⁶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
⁷ And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
⁸ And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Had I not just moments before sat in His presence weeping?  Had I not just said that they do not know how often I weep in the presence of God while trying the spirits to make sure they are of God?   Yet, HE brought me to a verse that said:  WEEP NOT.  The Lion of the tribe of Judah hath prevailed!  He hath prevailed.  Why do I weep with worries on such matters?  WEEP NOT. (verse 5)

Did I not just pray in such anguish that He show me that my alms and prayers have been heard in His Holy presence?  "And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints" (verse 8).   His Word truly is living.  He leaves me breathless and at the same time filled with Life.  His Grace Is Sufficient.  How I humbly and meekly say, "How great is our God!"

  I looked up the definition of SHILOH and learned the following:  SHILOH means TRANQUIL.  When He had spoken the word SHILOH to me, I thought I heard "PEACE" afterwards.  Now, I know that I did. 

 We also learn that in the period of the Judges, the house of God was IN Shiloh.  

 In 1 Samuel 1:3, SHILOH - the house of the Lord - was a place of pilgrimage.    In 1 Samuel 1:24, Samuel was brought to SHILOH and consecrated to God's service.  In 1 Samuel 1:9 and 3:3, the sanctuary in Shiloh is called a "temple".  

 After the Lord's Grace revealing the word SHILOH and the verses in Revelation 5, I began typing SEEMETH RIGHT.  

Seemeth Right

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  (Proverbs 16:25)

Doing What Is Right The Wrong Way:

David and the congregation of Israel agreed that it was time to bring the ark of God back to them.  

Was this right?  

Yes.

 
However, something went terribly wrong:  

1 Chronicles 13:

2 And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the Lord our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:

3 And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.

4 And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

5 So David gathered all Israel together, . . .

7 And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.

8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

9 And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

10 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.

The congregation’s intentions appear to be good or right, but they went about delivering the ark of God - that which is HOLY - in the wrong manner.  Uzza, while driving the cart, touches that which is Holy, seemingly in an attempt to help guide it.  Unfortunately, his actions were considered unholy, unsanctified, and did not involve God’s Holy order.

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  (Proverbs 16:25)

 

 Oh, how we should tremble and quake when in the presence of God. 

 How we should lend our hearts and ears in order to know the divine mind and will of God Almighty.  In verse 8 above, the congregation is ushering in the ark with great praise and rejoicing, but one unsanctified move greatly impacts God’s order.  When man inserts his will over God's will, disaster results.  The disaster may be immediate, or it may take a while, but what is not of God cannot take part in God. 

A Similar Event Occurs With Aaron’s Sons:

Aaron and his sons are called to prepare the sacrifice before the Lord.  Aaron and his sons are called to do this.  God has ordained these men to be involved in a very holy practice.  However, something goes terribly wrong.  Men, who were called of God to perform a specific task, step out of God’s will and step into their own wills.  God is not pleased.

Leviticus 9:

22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings.

23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the people.

24 And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Leviticus 10:  

1And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

2 And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

It is very serious to think we need to add to the GLORY OF GOD (v. 23).  The people were praising and rejoicing in what God alone had done, but in the midst of these people praising the Lord and falling before His Holy presence, two of them who were called to take a direct part in the sacrificial rites strayed from God’s way and instead, followed what appeared to be right in their eyes.  The sons were anointed (reference the previous chapters in Leviticus). In the previous chapters, we can read that the sons were called forth of God, yet they took it upon themselves to go a step too far in the presence of God and in the presence of God’s people who are bowing before the Lord just moments before.  God, alone, is sufficient for these witnesses.  Aaron’s sons have taken a moment that was Holy and attempted to add to it with their actions.  

Leviticus 10:  

1And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

2 And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

God had just issued fire for the sacrifice, and then Aaron’s sons offer strange (foreign/unfamiliar) fire, as well.  

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.  (Proverbs 16:25)

Uzza, Nadab, and Alihu’s actions were rejected by the Lord.  Although all of the men were in the midst of the congregation, where praising, rejoicing, and reverence were being given to the Lord, what they chose to “offer” God or to “add to” the work of the Lord was utterly rejected by an Almighty and All Knowing God.  A God who admonishes believers frequently in the New Testament to “try the spirits to see if they are of God.”

Shouldn’t these two stories alone cause all who profess Christ to stop and fall at the feet of God?  Who wouldn't stay in faithful prayer:  "Your way, Lord.  Your will be done, Lord."

We, in these moments of seeking God, must plead before Him without relenting.  Pray for Him to speak and to show forth who He is and who we are in Him.  Don’t just pray it and walk away.  Sit there.  Wait there.  10 minutes. 20 minutes. 1 hour . . . Wait for HIM to speak.  There are times when the answer must come directly from Him and not another vessel.  There are times when everything hinges on His direct response to you.  Can we afford to be Uzza, Nadab, or Alihu who are taking part in that which is sacred, but veer from the Truth and follow their own way?  Can we?  There should be nothing more serious to us than His Truth.  Not my truth.  Not others’ truth.  Not Satan’s truth.  Not your truth.       HIS. HIS.  He is Holy!  He is Just!  He IS Truth!  

We cannot allow ourselves to become so focused on certain areas of walking in the faith that we leave other - more important - areas undone, unchecked, and untested.  May we remember that in Revelation, Jesus warns churches who are obeying Him in certain areas that they are still to repent in areas where they have been unfaithful to Him.  

Jesus warns in Matthew 23 on various issues, but one of which is the danger of focusing on one’s outward appearance of holiness so much that the weightier issues are left undone and unclean.  What a caution from God Himself!  We can't afford to take part in the "sacrificial rites" that He has called us to carry out, only to sin against Him in another area - like Aaron's sons and Uzza.  

Let us be true to God above all.  Can we afford to stand before Him in the judgment to then discover that we offered strange fire in His presence or that we thought we needed to add to what was already sanctified and holy?  

May these words lead us to fall before the Lord with a humble heart.  A heart that says - “Have Your way, Lord. Lead me, Lord, and I will follow.”

May the way in which we walk be the way in which He leads!  

Another blog entry entitle SHILOH is a personal testimony directly related to this strong message.  Click on the word SHILOH to read.

Rising Waters

Yesterday, I heard three different messages from three different inspired preachers.  

1.  Early A.M. Video Message from West Palm Beach, Fl. -- It was a recorded sermon in front of a congregation.  The preacher shared that two women in his church had a vision/dream of water in their sanctuary.

He went on to say that the Lord brought to his mind Ezekiel 47 where the waters are flowing from the sanctuary and continue to flow deeper and deeper out and beyond the sanctuary.  God was showing Ezekiel the temple - the place where God would live.  There was a river flowing out of the temple.  The angel took Ezekiel out of the east side of the sanctuary.  The first level of the water was at his ankles, and as he kept walking, the water got deeper - to his knees.  Then, he kept walking, and the water was to his waist, and eventually, he had to swim.  He went on to say, that IF Ezekiel had stopped initially, how would Ezekiel have known that "this thing is DEEPER?"  He said that God places us in situations that force us to "go deeper" because where we are is not enough.  He went on to say that God wants the believer to step out of the boat and walk on water, so to speak.

This really caught my attention because just a few weeks ago, I had spent time in the Word studying Ezekiel 47 for the first time.  This was the very chapter the pastor taught from, as a result of two women's visions/ dreams.

2.  Well, the Lord was not finished sharing because the same concept of water pouring forth from the church was shared in my church just a few hours later: 
 Afternoon message at my church Virginia:  Toward the end of our service, one of the preachers shared a prophecy that had been spoken over the church.  The church would be a beacon of light shining forth in the darkness and "the waters would flow from the church."  Yet again, the notion of water flowing from the sanctuary ... I knew the Spirit was shining forth His light on this matter.  On the way home, I thought of Ezekiel 47 more and was feeling the encouragement from the Lord to continue wading in the water as He leads.

3.  When I arrived home after church, it was after 4:00.  I felt led to see if a message from a church in Georgia was live streaming via the Internet.  I clicked on the site, and the closing prayer had just started.  The preacher prayed the following:  "In these last days, people need to be led by the Spirit of God, knowing the will of God, and knowing to do what You (God) have commanded for the individual to do.  This is not a group exercise.  It is for individuals who obey because they can hear.  Ground troops, God.  We need boots on the ground, God.  We need troops on the ground, God, to be deliverers and to make part of a salvation army.  We need the power of God brought to bear on the human race - flowing through the church like a river - to set the captives free.  Do it, God, - for Your glory and Your honor.  To be bring dignity and honor back to Your body to do exploits on earth as promised in Daniel:  Those that know their God will be strong, and they shall do exploits.  Bring that word to pass - right now - In Jesus name we pray..."

The third time, in one day, the Lord had brought forth the concept of waters flowing forth from the sanctuary.  Wow -- What a mighty God!  And what a mighty message each time!  Below is the full chapter in Ezekiel 47:

1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

² Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
³ And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
⁴ Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
⁵ Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
⁶ And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
⁷ Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
⁸ Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
⁹ And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
¹⁰ And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
¹¹ But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
¹² And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
¹³ Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
¹⁴ And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
¹⁵ And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
¹⁶ Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazarhatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.
¹⁷ And the border from the sea shall be Hazarenan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
¹⁸ And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
¹⁹ And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.
²⁰ The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
²¹ So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
²² And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
²³ And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God.