In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains unto this day”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel” where we read,
Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,
The verse reads, “Then Joshua built an altar …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then Joshua” which means “at that time Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “built an alter” or “erected, established and set up a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” set up a place of sacrifice and worship after the king of “Ai” was dead and covered with stones.
The verse continues, “… unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “unto the LORD God” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God and Supreme Deity” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “in mount Ebal” which means “within the mountain or range of hills known as Ebal whose name means stone or bare mountain and was a mountain of cursing, north of Shechem and opposite Mount Gerizim”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” erected an “altar” within the mountain known as “Ebal” to Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity belonging to Israel.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” erected a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship to Jehovah God within the mountain known as “Ebal” immediately after conquering the “city of Ai” and it’s king. Worship was on “Joshua’s” mind because he knew Jehovah God delivered “Ai” to him and the people of Israel. God wants us to ever be mindful that our victories come from Him, and when we take the time to worship Him before and after conquests, He is blessed and so are we. God’s greatest victory on our behalf was when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of worshiping God for who He is, what He has done and for what He is going to do in our lives.
Next time we learn how Joshua refers to how, “Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel”, 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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