The Word for Today with Ray

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

You have Forsaken Me Judges - 10:13

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand”, and in chapter ten and verse thirteen of Judges, we learn how Jehovah God told Israel, “you have forsaken me” where we read,

Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

The verse reads, “Yet you have forsaken me, and served other gods:” The writer began with the words, “yet you have forsaken me” which means “still you, the people of Israel, have abandoned me, Jehovah God”, “and served other gods” which means ”and labored, worked and worshiped deities”. The writer shared how Jehovah God told the people of Israel how they abandoned Him and worshiped other deities even though He had delivered them.

The verse goes on to say, “wherefore I will deliver you no more.” The writer continued with the words, “wherefore I will deliver you” which means “therefore, then and on this account I, Jehovah God, shall rescue, save and free you, the people of Israel not any longer ”, “no more” or “not any longer” “out of their hand” which means “from their, the enemies’, power, might and authority”. The writer shared how Jehovah God told “Israel” that He would no longer rescued and save them from their hating adversaries.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God told the people of Israel because they had abandoned their relationship with Him, He would no longer rescue and save them from their hating foes. What an ominous statement we should all hope we never hear. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. However, should we turn away from Him over and over and over again, there comes a point, we know not when, that He will no longer rescue us. (See Genesis 6:3) For now, we have the opportunity to receive God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days as our “Savior and Lord”. Paul the apostle wrote, “today is the day of salvation” (See 2 Corinthians 6:2), and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we never have need for “Him” to say, “depart from me, you that work iniquity”. (See Matthew 7:21-23)

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Israel, “Go and cry unto the gods which you have chosen”, 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".

Zidonians, Amalekits and Maonites Oppression - Judges 10:12

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?”, and in chapter ten and verse twelve of Judges, we learn howJehovah God said to Israel, “the Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you” where we read,

The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you;

and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.

The verse reads, “The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you;… The writer began with the words, “the Zidonians” or Sidonians whose name means ‘hunting’ and were the inhabitants of Sidon” “also” which means ”even so and indeed”, “and the Amalekites” whose name means “dweller in a valley” and were “the descendants of Amalie”, “and the Maonites” whose name means “habitation” and were “the inhabitants of Moan”, “did oppress you” or “squeezed, pressed, crushed and distressed you, the people of Israel”. The writer shared how Jehovah God included the “Zidonians, Amalekites and Moanites” in the groups of people who distressed “Israel”.

The verse continues, “… and you cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.” The writer added the words, “and you cried unto me” which means “and you, Israel, shouted aloud, summoned and called for help toward me, Jehovah God”, “and I delivered you” or “and I, Jehovah God, rescued, saved and freed you, the people of Israel” “out of their hand” which means “from their, the “Zidonians, Amalekites and Moanites’” power, might and strength”. The writer shared how Jehovah God acknowledged when the people of Israel shouted aloud and called for help from Him, and He responded by rescuing them from the power and might of the “Zidonians, Amalekites and Moanites”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Jehovah God responded to the “summoning” of the people of Israel who suffered distress from the “Zidonians, Amalekites and Moanites”. God rescued them, and He will do the same for us when we “cry out” for His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected from the grave after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the help the Comforter, His Holy Spirit, who will guide us into all truth and teach us how to remain faithful to Him and never need to deal with oppressors. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Luke 10:19)

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Israel, “you have forsaken me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Did Not Jehovah Deliver You? - Judges 10:11

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against you, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim”, and in chapter ten and verse eleven of Judges, we learn howJehovah God asked Israel, “Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?” where we read,

And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?

The verse reads, “And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, … The writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “said unto the children of Israel” which means ”uttered, declared and proclaimed to 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”. The writer shared how Jehovah God asked the offspring of “Israel” the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “… Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?” The writer continued with the words, “did not I deliver you” which means “was it not true that I, Jehovah God, rescued, saved and freed you, Israel” “from the Egyptians” or “separate and apart from the Egyptians whose nam means “land of the Copts or double straits” and was a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows where the inhabitants or natives of Egypt lived ”; “and from the Amorites” which means “and separate and apart from the Amorites whose name means ‘a sayer’ and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “from the children of Ammon” or “from the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means ‘tribal’ and was a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”, “and from the Philistines” which means “and separate and apart from the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were the inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan”? The writer shared how Jehovah God questioned the people of Israel concerning His previous deliverance of them from the “Egyptians, Amorites, the offspring of Ammon and the Philistines”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God questioned whether or not the people of “Israel” recalled how He previously rescued and saved them from the “Egyptians, Amorites, the offspring of Ammon and the Philistines”. God was for the people of “Israel”, and their history proved it. It is for this reason they should be asking why they would abandon Him. However, they “forsook” God and were suffering for it. God wants to be in a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we submit to His and our “Lord and Savior”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and keep us in remembrance of all He has done for us in the past. (See Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25)

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Israel, “the Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Crying to the LORD - Judges 10:10

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed”, and in chapter ten and verse ten of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel cried unto the LORD”, where we read,

And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying,

We have sinned against you, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, … The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “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 shouted aloud, summoned and called for help” “unto the LORD” which means ”toward Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” called for help from Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “… We have sinned against you, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.” The writer added the words, “we have sinned” which means “we, the people of Israel, have missed the mark, offended, gone wrong and been sinful” “against you” or “in opposition to you, Jehovah God”; “both because we have forsaken our God” which means “for the reasons, causes and accounts that we, the people of Israel, have left behind, abandoned and deserted our, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”, “and also served Baalim” or “and even so and indeed labored, worked and worshiped Baalim whose name means ‘lord’ and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” confessed their errors and wrongs in opposition to God as well as abandoning Jehovah God to worship “Baalim”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel understood their errors against Jehovah God. They “sinned” and abandoned their relationship with Jehovah God. Rather than worshiping Jehovah God, they began to serve and labor on behalf of “Baalim”. These behaviors were not only practiced by the people of Israel who lived prior to them, but they were repeated over and over again. We shall see how Jehovah God responds to them in our next verse, but for now let us also be mindful of our own tendencies to act in the same manner. God is a loving God who desires to have a personal relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us continue to align with Him and His ways with a constant “crying out” to Him for His mercy. (See 1John 1:9; Hebrews 4:16)

Next time we learn how Jehovah God asks Israel, “Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Passing Over Jordan to Fight - Judges 10:9

Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah,

and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.

The verse reads, “Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah,… The writer began with the words, “moreover the children of Ammon” which means “to an even greater degree the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means ‘tribal’ and were a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi” “passed over Jordan” which means “went forth to cross Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “to fight also” or “to do battle and war even so and indeed” “against Judah” which means “in opposition to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to the “Ammonites” crossed the “Jordan River” to wage war in opposition to the tribe of “Judah”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.” The writer continued with the words, “and against Benjamin” which means “and in opposition to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’ and was Jacob's and Rachel's youngest son, Joseph's full brother and the progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin”, “and against the house of Ephraim” or “and in opposition to the dwelling place or family belonging to Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh”; “so that Israel was sore distressed” which means “which caused Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is “the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” to exist as exceedingly and abundantly vexed, pressed and in straits. The writer shared how the “Ammonites” also fought in opposition to the tribes of “Benjamin and Ephraim” which caused the people of “Israel” to be exceedingly vexed.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Ammon” were not satisfied with just engaging in battle with “Israel” on their side of the “Jordan River” so they crossed it and fought against “Judah, Benjamin and Ephraim” as well. No wonder the people of “Israel” were so distressed. “Israel forsook” God, and He allowed their foes to fight against them. God wants us to keep in alignment with Him because under His protection, no one can defeat us. (See Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:37) Our alignment with Him begins when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us never to forsake Him as we stay under His protective hand. (See John 3:16: Psalm 91)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Israel cried unto the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Vexed and Oppressed - Judges 10:8

And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

The verse reads, “And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel:” The writer began with the words, “and that year” which means “and that particular annual set of days” “they vexed and oppressed” which means ”they, the Philistines and Ammonites, harassed, dashed in pieces, shattered, broke, crushed and discouraged” “the children of Israel” or “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”. The writer shared how the “Philistines and Ammonites” harassed and discouraged the offspring of “Israel” for the following length of time.

The verse continues, “… eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.” The writer added the words, “eighteen years” which means “eighteen annual sets of days”, “all the children of Israel” or “each, the whole and everyone of 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” “that were on the other side Jordan” which means “who were located upon the opposite bank of the Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “in the land of the Amorites” or “within the territory, region and district belonging to the Amorites whose nam means ‘a sayer’ and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “which is in Gilead” which means “that exists within Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead”. The writer shared how the “Philistines and the Ammonites” harassed and discouraged the people of “Israel’ who were located on the opposite bank of the “Jordan River” within the territory of the “Ammonites” in “Gilead” for the length of “eighteen” annual sets of days”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “eighteen years” was the length of time that the people of “Israel” suffered harassment and discouragement from the “Philistines and Ammonites” especially those who were located on the opposite side of the Jordan River. This is not the way God wanted it to be for “Israel”, however, they “forsook” Him for other gods, and they reaped what they sowed. (See Galatians 6:7) God knows we have sinned against Him and His laws, and still He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him without a need to suffer discouragement and harassment from our enemies and foes. (See John 3:16: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Hot Anger of the LORD - Judges 10:7

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

The verse reads, “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, …” The writer began with the words, “and the anger of the LORD” which means “and the fierce wrath that wrinkles the nostrils, nose and face belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was hot against Israel” which means ”existed as furious, kindled and incensed in opposition to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and he sold them” or “and he, Jehovah God, delivered unto slavery them, the people of Israel” “into the hands of the Philistines” which means “under the power, might and authority belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were the inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan”. The writer shared how Jehovah God was filled with fiery wrath in opposition to “Israel”, and He delivered them over to the power and might of the “Philistines”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and into the hands of the children of Ammon.” The writer continued with the words, “and into the hands” which means “and unto the power, might and authority” “of the children of Ammon” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means ‘tribal’ and were a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”. The writer shared how Jehovah God also delivered the people over to the power and might of the “Ammonites”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn that Jehovah God was filled with wrath when the people of “Israel” abandoned Him again, and He once again delivered them over to the power and might of foreign pagan nations. The “Philistines and Ammonites” were enemies of “Israel”, and because Israel departed from Him, He conveyed them over to their foes. God did desire that it be this way with Israel, and He does not want us to suffer in this manner either. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days so all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and help them to never “forsake” the LORD or have need to be delivered over to their enemies. (See John 3:26; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Proverbs 18:10)

Next time we learn how the Philistines and the children of Ammon, “vexed and oppressed the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…