In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, …”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-one of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel” where we read,
As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
The verse reads, “As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “as Moses” which means “similar and in likeness to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” or “the man of servile condition, slave and bondman belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “commanded the children of Israel”, which means “ordered and charged the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “as it is written” or “in the manner that there exists a record, engraving and decree” “ in the book” which means “within the missive, document and written order” “of the law of Moses” or “pertaining to the direction, instruction and body of legal directives belonging to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer referred to the way “Moses” ordered and charged the offspring belonging to “Israel” even like it is inscribed within “Moses’” missive of instruction.
The verse goes on to say, “… an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “an altar of whole stones” which means “a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship constructed with perfectly finished and prepared rocks”, “over which no man” or “that upon the rocks not any person” “has lift up any iron” which means “has raised or erected a single utensil or implement of harshness, strength or oppression made with iron”: “and they offered thereon” or “and they, the people of Israel, ascended, climbed and placed upon the altar” “burnt offerings” which means “sacrifices which were burned with flames” “unto the LORD” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”, “and sacrificed peace offerings” which means “and slaughtered sacrifices of calm and tranquility”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” established a sacrificial place constructed with large rocks upon which no iron utensil or implement had touched, and the people of Israel placed animals which were burned upon it as a sacrifice of calm and tranquility to Jehovah God.
When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel continued to worship Jehovah God after defeating the people of “Ai”. “Joshua” erected a sacrificial place in the fashion described within the “law of Moses”, and the people offered burned animal sacrifices of calm and tranquility upon the altar toward Jehovah God. (See Exodus 18:12; 20:24, 25; 24:5) God is worthy of worship and praise, and acknowledging Him before and after victories is not only important but essential to our relationship with Him. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross and raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of presenting sacrifices of praise, honor and glory to our peace giving God.
Next time we learn how Joshua, “wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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