In the book of Joshua, we learned how “the LORD said unto Joshua, fear not, neither be you dismayed: Take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: See I have given into your hand the king of Air, and his people, and his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it”, and in chapter eight and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai” where we read,
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai:
and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.
The verse reads, “So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so Joshua arose” which means “wherefore, therefore, then and on this account Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation got up, stood and ascended”, “and all the people of war” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings pertaining to battle and fighting”, “to go up against Ai” which means “to proceed and ascend in opposition to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua stood up along with everyone of the warriors of Israel to ascend in opposition to “Ai”.
The verse goes on to say, “and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “chose out thirty thousand mighty men” or “selected and elected thirty thousand strong, powerful and valiant male human beings” “of valor” which means “with ability, efficiency, might and force”, “and sent them away” or “and dispatched and assigned them, the thirty thousand mighty men, to proceed and go forth” “by night” which means “within the protective shadow of the nighttime”. “Joshua” selected “thirty thousand” powerful and valiant warriors with great ability and dispatched them within the shadow of the nighttime.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” obeyed Jehovah God’s instructions as he rose up and assembled “thirty thousand” powerful warriors who had great ability to proceed forth at the shadow of nighttime to go against “Ai”. God’s will was being followed, and we shall see how the people of Israel will be victorious this time. God loves us, and He knows what is best for our lives. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to to hear and follow Him wherever He leads. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time we learn how Joshua says, “you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city”, 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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