Twelve Stones Pitched in Gilgal - Joshua 4:20

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho”, and in chapter four and verse twenty of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal" where we read,

And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

The verse reads, “And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and those twelve stones” which means “and the twelve large rocks”, “which they took out” or “that they, the twelve men, lay hold of, seized, took and removed” “of Jordan” which means “from 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)”. Joshua or the writer referred to the “twelve” large rocks that the “twelve men” removed from the middle of the “Jordan” river. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… did Joshua pitch in Gilgal..” Joshua continued with the words, “did Joshua” or “did Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “pitch in Gilgal” which means “arise, stand and establish within Gilgal whose name means ‘a wheel or rolling’ and was the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king; later used for illicit worship”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” established the “twelve stones” within the camp of “Gilgal”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” took the “twelve stones” removed from the middle of the “Jordan” river and established them at “Gilgal” where the people of Israel would observe them as a memorial to the miracle performed by Jehovah God. God wants all of us to remember what He did for us 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. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to be mindful of acts and deeds performed in our lives by Jehovah God through His Holy Spirit.

Next time we learn what the people of Israel were to say when their children ask, “what mean these stones?”, 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".

Out of Jordan on the Tenth Day - Joshua 4:19

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before”, and in chapter four and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month” where we read,

And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, 

and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

The verse reads, “And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the people came up” which means “and the human beings from Israel arose and ascended” “out of Jordan” or “from 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)” “on the tenth day” which means “upon the tenth sunrise to sunset” “of the first month” or “pertaining to the primary and foremost month of the year”. Joshua or the writer shared how the human beings from Israel ascended from the “Jordan” river upon the “tenth” sunrise to sunset belonging to the “first month”. 

 

The verse continues, “… and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.” Joshua added  the words, “and encamped” or “and pitched their tents or camped” “in Gilgal” whose name means “a wheel or rolling and was the first site of an Israelite camp west of the Jordan, east of Jericho, here Samuel was judge, and Saul was made king. It was later used for illicit worship”, “in the east border” or “within the eastern extremity or outskirt” “of Jericho” which means “belonging to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the children of Israel set up camp in “Gilgal” which was located in the eastern extremity belonging to “Jericho”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover the time when the children of Israel crossed the “Jordan” river was “the tenth day of the first month”. Afterward they set up camp in “Gilgal” which is located on the eastern outskirt of “Jericho”. Technically the people of Israel had entered into the promise land, and now they were to prepare to take the territories promised to them. In like manner, God has a plan to bring salvation to everyone who will receive 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 yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us so we know when to move and when to camp in preparation for God’s perfect will and purpose for our lives. 

Next time we learn how, “those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal”, 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 the Priests Came Out - Joshua 4:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan. Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come you up out of Jordan”, and in chapter four and verse eighteen of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan” where we read,

And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “when the priests” or “at the time and moment the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “that bare the ark” which means “who lifted up and carried the box or chest” “of the covenant” or “pertaining to the alliance, pledge, treaty and agreement” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “were come up” or “ascended, came forth and arose” “out of the midst of Jordan” which means “from the middle of 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)”. Joshua or the writer shared that the following happened as soon as the spiritual leaders arose from the middle of the Jordan river. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and the soles of the priests' feet were lifted up unto the dry land, that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place, and flowed over all his banks, as they did before.” Joshua continued with the words, “and the soles of the priests’ feet” or “and the cups or bottoms of the physical feet belonging to the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “were lifted up” which means “were drawn off, apart and away” “unto the dry land” or “to the arid desert ground”, “that the waters of Jordan” which means “that the flowing waters belonging to 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)” “returned unto their place” or “turned and went back to their station, location, region and spot”, “and flowed over” which means “and proceeded and moved beyond” “all his banks” or “each, every and the whole of his, the Jordan river’s, edges or border”, “as they did before” which means “similar and in like fashion to the way the waters were in time past and afore”. Joshua or the writer described how the flowing waters of the “Jordan” river went back to their original state which overflowed all the borders of the “river’s” edge. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn what happened immediately after the spiritual leaders removed their physical “feet” from the middle of the “Jordan” river. The flowing “waters” of the river returned to their original state and overflowed the borders of it. This again is another miracle performed by Jehovah God, and the people of Israel were witnesses to all these events. God wants everyone to know that He is an all-powerful and all-knowing God, and because He loves us, He wants us to be involved in His greatest miracle which is salvation from our sins by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raising Him from the grave after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and reveal His power and authority to us through His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to notice and observe His miracle working power in the world. 

Next time we learn how, “the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month”, 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 Commands the Priests to Come Out of Jordan - Joshua 4:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan”, and in chapter four and verse seventeen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua … commanded the priests … Come you up out of Jordan” where we read,

Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come you up out of Jordan.

The verse reads, “Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “Joshua therefore” which means “Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ then, wherefore and on this account” “commanded the priests” or “ordered and charged the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. We learn how “Joshua” charged the “spiritual leaders” by telling them the following words. 

 

The verse continues, “… Come you up out of Jordan.” Joshua added the words, “come you up” or “arise, ascend and come forth you, the priests” “out of Jordan” which means “from 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)”. Joshua told the “priests” to ascend from the “Jordan” river even as Jehovah God instructed him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Joshua obeyed Jehovah God’s instruction and told the spiritual leaders to ascend from the “Jordan” river after everyone else had crossed. Once again there was instruction and obedience, instruction and obedience. This is the best way to relate to God. He loves us and knows what is best for us, and 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, the instruction, through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with the guidance of His Holy Spirit into all truth which shall not only benefit us, but also the Kingdom of God.

Next time we learn what happened, “when the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD were come up out of the midst of Jordan”, 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".

 

Command the Priests to Come Out of Jordan - Joshua 4:16

In the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua wrote, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, …”, and in chapter four and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “Command the priests that … that they come up out of Jordan” where we read,

Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.

The verse reads, “Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “command the priests” which means “order and charge the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “that bear the ark” or “who lift up and carry the box or chest” “of the testimony” which means “pertaining to witness”. Jehovah God told Joshua to order the spiritual leaders who lifted up and carried the “ark of witness or the testimony” to do the following. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… that they come up out of Jordan.” Joshua continued with the words, “that they come up” or “that they, the priests, climb, ascend and spring forth” “of Jordan” which means “from 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)”. Jehovah God instructed Joshua to tell the spiritual leaders to ascend from the “Jordan” river. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God spoke to Joshua again and instructed him to tell the spiritual leaders to ascend from their place within the “Jordan” river. The people of Israel had crossed the river, and now the spiritual leaders were to climb up from their set place in the “Jordan”. Step by step God was fulfilling His promise and plan with the people of Israel, and they were obeying His instructions. God loves the people of Israel, and they were to enter the promise land in keeping with His ways. He loves us as well, and He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the wisdom of His Holy Spirit when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. We are most wise when we simply trust and obey His way, and we shall enjoy His promised Heaven forever and ever when we do.

Next time we learn how, “Joshua … commanded the priests … Come you up out of Jordan”, 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 LORD Spoke to Joshua - Joshua 4:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua” where we read,

And the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying,

The verse reads, “And the LORD spoke …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “spoke” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Joshua or the writer began to share how Jehovah God made another declaration to the following. 

 

The verse continues, “… unto Joshua, saying,” Joshua added the words, “unto Joshua” or “to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the words in our next verse. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God’s words were directed toward “Joshua” himself. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God made declarations to “Joshua” once again. We shall see what those words were in our next verse, but for now let us consider that God wanted this intimate and personal relationship with Joshua. God wants a personal relationship with us as well, and when we yield to His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead after three days, 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 always be attentive and aware when He desires to speak with us. 

Next time we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “Command the priests that … they come up out of Jordan”, 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 Magnified - Joshua 4:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “about forty thousand” men from the tribes of, “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, “prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “on that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel” where we read,

On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; 

and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

The verse reads, “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “on that day” which means “upon that particular day when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river” “the LORD magnified Joshua” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God promoted and made powerful and great Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “in the sight” which means “within the face and vision” “of all Israel” or “pertaining to each, the whole and everyone of the people of Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer said upon the particular sunrise to sunset when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river along with the “forty thousand” men from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, God made “Joshua” powerful and great within the vision of the people of “Israel”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” Joshua continued with the words, “and they feared him” or “and they, the people of Israel, were in awe of, reverenced and honored him, Joshua”, “as they feared Moses” which means “similar and in likeness to they ways they were in awe of, reverenced and honored Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “all the days” or “each, every and the whole of the sunrises to sunsets” “of his life” which means “belonging to his, Moses’, active and flowing living”. Joshua or the writer said the people of Israel revered and were in awe of Joshua similar to the way they revered Moses for everyone of the sunrises to sunsets that he was alive. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” was elevated in the sight of all the people of Israel after they crossed the Jordan river and saw the forty thousand warriors from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” dressed and ready for battle. God wants us to take note of His leaders, and when He puts His Divine hand upon them, we are to align with them as they follow in line with His will. God loves us, and He proved His desire to have a personal relationship with us when 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 days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we will recognize His leaders and keep them in our prayers as they and we seek to fulfill God’s will. 

Next time we learn how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua”, 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".