Joshua Burnt Ai and Made It a Heap - Joshua 8:28

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand. back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap” where we read, 

And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

The verse reads, “And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “burnt Ai” or “set Ai, whose name means heap of ruins, on fire”, “and made it an heap” which means “and caused it to be a mound or elevation of ruins” “for  ever” or “perpetually, without end and evermore”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire which caused it to be a mound of ruins perpetually. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… even a desolation unto this day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “even a desolation” which means “also and indeed a wasted and devastation” “unto this day” or “to the current time period or season”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ai” was indeed as a wasted devastation to that current time period. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire and caused it to be a mound of ruins and devastation to that current time period. “Ai” and it’s “inhabitants” were destroyed, and the plan of God was fulfilled. God hates evil and wickedness, and because sin causes us to be separated from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three day so when we put our faith and trust in 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 cleanse us from all unrighteousness which will be buried like a “heap of ruins” similar to “Ai’. 

Next time we learn how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide”, 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".

The Cattle Taken as a Prey - Joshua 8:27

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-seven of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves” where we read, 

Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, 

according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.

The verse reads, “Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “only the cattle” which means “save and except the beasts, the animals and the livestock” “and the spoil” or “and the booty, plunder and gain” “of the city” which means “belonging to the dwelling place or town of Ai” “Israel” whose name means “God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “took for a prey” which means “captured, seized and possessed on behalf of plunder and spoil” “unto themselves” or “to their, Israel’s, own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Israel” destroyed everything which was within “Ai” with the exception of the livestock, plunder and gain”. 

 

The verse continues, “… according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “according unto the word” which means “in keeping with the speech, utterance, declaration and proclamation” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “which he commanded Joshua” which means “that He, Jehovah God, charged and ordered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Israel” kept Jehovah God’s declaration that he declared through “Joshua”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn that the people of “Israel” destroyed everything within the city of “Ai” with the exception of the livestock, plunder and gain. This was in keeping with Jehovah God’s instructions to “Joshua”, and this time the people of Israel were allowed to take possessions for themselves. God is in control, and when He gives provision, we are to receive it. When He wants us to refrain, we are to refrain. God knows what is best for our lives, and because He loves us, 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. When we surrender our lives to Him, 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 know when to take “plunder” and when to refrain from doing so. 

Next time we learn how, “Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever”, 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".

 

Joshua’s Stretched Out Spear - Joshua 8:26

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-six of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear” where we read, 

For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, 

until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

The verse reads, “For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for Joshua” which means “because, since and on account that Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “drew not his hand back” or “did not bring back or reverse his physical hand”, “wherewith he stretched out the spear” which means “in which he, Joshua, thrust forward and extended the sharpened weapon”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Ai” were defeated by “Israel” because “Joshua” did not restore his physical “hand” with the sharpened weapon within it back to it’s normal state.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “until he had utterly destroyed” which means “till such time that he, Joshua, had completely and thoroughly exterminated and mutilated” “all the inhabitants” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the people who were dwellers” “of Ai” which means “belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua or the writer told how “Joshua” did not restore his hand with the “sword” within it to it’s regular state till such time that everyone of the people who lived in “Ai” were completely exterminated.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” continued to hold out the “sword in his hand” till such time that everyone who lived in “Ai” was completely exterminated. God’s will was for all of these people of “Ai” to be vanished from the earth, and “Israel” was the agent for doing so. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. He knows we have sin in our lives, and that sin must be eradicated so we may obtain a personal relationship with Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross to pay the price for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose 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 provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and defeat our foes as we encounter them. 

Next time we learn how, “only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves”, 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".

 

Twelve Thousand Fall - Joshua 8:25

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand” where we read, 

And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, 

were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.

The verse reads, “And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and so it was” which means “and it existed and happened”, “that all that fell that day” or “that each, every, the whole and everyone who were cast down, wasted away and perished upon that particular sunrise to sunset”, “both of men” which means “including male human beings” “and women” or “and female human beings” numbered according to the following. Joshua or the writer began to share how many people of “Ai” were slain on that particular “day”. 

 

The verse continues, “… were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “were twelve thousand” which means “existed as twelve thousand”, “even all the men” or “indeed and also each, every, the whole and everyone of the male human beings” “of Ai” which means “belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua or the writer said “twelve thousand” male human beings from “Ai” perished on that “day”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn that there were “twelve thousand” males from “Ai” who died on the day Israel defeated them. “Ai” killed “thirty six” men from “Israel” the first time “Israel” attacked “Ai”, (See Joshua 7:5) and this time “twelve thousand” men from “Ai” were dead. God takes care of His people, and when we align with His way of salvation through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and defeat our enemies as we have need and in keeping with His Divine purpose and will. 

Next time we learn how, “Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear”, 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".

When Israel Made an End of Slaying - Joshua 8:24

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape. And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai” where we read, 

And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “when Israel” or “at the time and moment Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “had made an end of slaying” which means “concluded and finished killing, destroying and ruining” “all the inhabitants of Ai” or “each, every, the whole and every one of the people who remained, stayed and lived within Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “in the field” which means “within the cultivated land, plain or flat countryside”. Joshua or the writer began to share what happened at the time and moment the people of Israel killed and destroyed the dwellers in “Ai” within the open plain. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword,” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “in the wilderness” which means “within the desert place” “wherein they chased them” or “in which they, the people of Ai, followed after and pursued Israel”, “and when they were all fallen” which means “and at the time and moment they, the people of Ai, were each, every, the whole and everyone cast down, prostrated and overthrown” “on the edge of the sword” or “upon the extremity or edge belonging to the sharpened weapon”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the people of Israel killed each of the inhabitants of “Ai” within the wilderness where they came after them, and this is the place that the “inhabitants” of “Ai” pursued after Israel. 

Finally the verse says, “… until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “until they were consumed” which means “till such time that they, the inhabitants of Ai, were completely finished, wholly destroyed and entirely ruined”, “that all the Israelites” or “that each, every, the whole and every one of the people of Israel whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “returned unto Ai” which means “came back and reentered Ai whose name means heap of ruins”, “and smote it” or “and hit, beat, struck and smote” “with the edge of the sword” which means “by the use of the extremity or end belonging to the sharpened weapon”. Joshua or the writer ended this verse by sharing how “Israel” completely destroyed the warriors of “Ai” and smote their dwelling place with the sharpened “edge” of the “sword”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the warriors of Israel destroyed all the fighting people of “Ai”, returned to their city and destroyed it with their sharpened weapons. God had delivered “Ai” over to the people of Israel, and now they possessed their city. God told the people of “Israel” they would possess the promise land, and “Ai” was the second city along the way. God loves the people of “Israel”, and He loves us as well. 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, 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 help us possess all He desires for us as well. 

Next time we learn how, “all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand”, 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".

The King of Ai Taken Alive - Joshua 8:23

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the king of Ai they took alive” where we read, 

And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.

The verse reads, “And the king of Ai they took alive, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the king of Ai” which means “and the royal ruler and leader belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “they took alive” or “they, the people of Israel, lay hold of, seized and captured while living and breathing”. Joshua or the writer said the people of Israel captured the royal ruler of Ai while he was still living. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and brought him to Joshua.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and brought him” which means “and carried him, the king of Ai, forth” “to Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation”. Joshua or the writer said the warriors of Israel carried the king of Ai “to Joshua”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the warriors of Israel not only captured the royal ruler of “Ai”, but they kept him alive and carried him “to Joshua”. We shall see what happens to the king in our next verses, but for now let us realize this was also part of God’s plan for the conquering of “Ai”. God promised the people of Israel that they would receive the promise land, however, there was a process for accomplishing this. God has a plan for our lives as well which begins with us yielding 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 submit 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 help us fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives. 

Next time we learn what happened, “when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai”, 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".

 

The Other Issued Out - Joshua 8:22

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-two of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the other issued out of the city against them” where we read, 

And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

The verse reads, “And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the other issued” which means “and the other band of warriors proceeded, departed and flowed forth” “out of the city against them” or “from the dwelling place or town in opposition to them, the men of Ai”; “so they were in the midst of Israel” which means “therefore they, the people of Ai, were within the middle of Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “some on this side” or “a number other the people of Israel upon one direction”, “and some on that side” which means “a number of other people of Israel upon the other side”. Joshua or the writer shared how more of the warriors of Israel came against the men of “Ai” and surrounded them from all sides.

 

The verse continues, “and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and they smote them” which means “and they, the people of Israel, struck, beat, hit, slayed and killed them, the people of Ai”.“so that they let none of them remain” or “until they, the people of Israel, did not allow or permit a single person of them, the people of Ai, to survive or stay alive” “or escape” which means “or to become a fugitive  or refugee”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel killed everyone in “Ai”, and not a single one of them continued to be alive or were able to become a fugitive. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there was a complete annihilation of the people of “Ai” by the warriors of “Israel”. “Israel” surrounded them and did not allow any of them to escape. This was God’s plan, and although the people of Israel suffered defeat and lost thirty six men on their first attempt to conquer “Ai”, this time all of “Ai” was defeated. (See Joshua 7:5) This was God will and purpose for Israel, and because sin is so wicked, God gives us an opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and granted everlasting life when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days. As we submit to Him, God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the power to defeat the enemy of sin that desires to destroy our lives. 

Next time we learn how, “the king of Ai they took alive”, 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".