The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, August 14, 2026

A Plague in the Congregation - Joshua 22:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have builded you an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD? Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse eighteen of Joshua we learn how Phinehas and the priests continued to ask, “that you must turn away this day from following the LORD?” where we read,

But that you must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing you rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.

The verse reads, “But that you must turn away this day from following the LORD?” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but that you must turn away this day” which means “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover that you, Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh are to repel, repulse, hinder and reject the going after and behind” “from following the LORD or “separate and apart from Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”? Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” continued to ask the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh” about their apostasy from Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “and it will be, seeing you rebel today against the LORD, that tomorrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and it will be” which means “and the following shall exist, since and on account that you, the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh, shall exist”, “seeing you rebel today” or “since and on account that you, the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh, are rebellious and revolt” “against the LORD” which means “in opposition to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “that tomorrow he will be wroth” or “that on the following day he, Jehovah God, shall exist as displeased, angry and provoked to fury and rage” “with the whole congregation of Israel” which means “toward and against the total and entire assembly and gathering belonging to 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 shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” continued to share with the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh” that Jehovah God would rise in anger and fury in opposition to the all the assembly of Israel on the next day.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Phinehas and the ten princes” continued to ask questions of the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh” concerning the altar they erected at Gilead. They surmised that Jehovah God would be filled with anger and fury toward all of Israel the next day because of their actions. God knows every action and deed performed by people, and He knows our ways as well. He knows we have sin in our lives that separates us from Him and leads to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) This is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we submit 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 to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in keeping with His ways that pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how the congregation says, “if the land of your possession be unclean, then pass you over unto the land of the possession of the LORD”, 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 Iniquity of Peor - Joshua 22:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel , and they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying, thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have builded you an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD?”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse seventeen of Joshua we learn how Phinehas and the priests ask, “is the iniquity of Peor too little for us?” where we read,

Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day,

although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD,

The verse reads, “Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “is the iniquity of Peor” which means “exist the perversity, depravity, guilt and punishment pertaining to Peor whose name means ‘cleft’ and was a mountain peak in Moab belonging to the Abarim range and near Pisgah” “too little for us” or “too small, few and of hardly any worth”, “from which we are not cleansed” which means “separate and apart from the fact that we, the people of Israel, do not exist as pure or ceremonially clean and purged” “until this day” or “till the time of the current sunrise to sunset”. (See Numbers 25:3-9) Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” asked whether the punishment for sin that occurred in “Baal-Peor” and continued unto the current sunrise to sunset was not sufficient for the people of Israel.

The verse continues, “… although there was a plague in the congregation of the LORD, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “although there was a plague” which means “even though there existed a blow, striking, stumbling and infliction” “in the congregation” or “within the assembly and gathering of the people”, “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. Joshua or the writer said “Phinehas and the ten princes” recalled the affliction that was within “Israel” because they committed sin against God in “Peor”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Phinehas and the ten princes” remembered how there was a great price paid when the people of Israel sinned in “Peor”. (See Galatians 6:7-8) Although their reference was correct, their assessment concerning the present situation with the “Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh” was not. God loves people, and He knows our acts, deeds and motives. When we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 empower us to live in keeping with that truth so our ways are aligned with Him and not in opposition like was thought about the people of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh”.

Next time we learn how the congregation continued their question, “that you must turn away this day from following the LORD?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

What Trespass is This? - Joshua 22:16

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel , and they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying,”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse sixteen of Joshua we learn how Phinehas and the priests ask, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel” where we read,

Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have builded you an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD?

The verse reads, “Thus says the whole congregation of the LORD, What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “thus says the whole congregation” which means “the following utters, declares, proclaims and asks the total and entire gathering, assembly and multitude” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “what trespass is this” which means “what kind and whatsoever unfaithful and treacherous act exists” “that you have committed” or “that you, people of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh, have unfaithfully and treacherously acted upon” “against the God of Israel” which means “in opposition to the Supreme Deity belonging to 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 shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” asked the “people of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” on behalf of the entire gathering of the people of “Israel”. whatsoever treacherous act they had performed in opposition to Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “… to turn away this day from following the LORD, in that you have builded you an altar, that you might rebel this day against the LORD?” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to turn away this day” which means “to return or go back that particular sunrise to sunset” “from following the LORD” or “separate and apart from coming after Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “in that you have builded you an altar” which means “since you, people of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh, have constructed and erected a sacrificial place”, “that you might rebel this day” or “so you could revolt and be rebellious” “against the LORD” which means “in opposition to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”? Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” continued their questioning of the people of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh by wondering if they were erecting their “altar” so they could be rebellious and revolt from Jehovah God.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Phineas, the ten princes and the congregation of Israel” continued to question why the people of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh violated the instruction of Jehovah God and built their altar to revolt against Him. This was not true statement, and because “Phinehas and the ten princes” hastily moved to their conclusion, we shall see they were not correct. God knows we make mistakes, and because we are sometimes hasty and fearful, we do things that in in violation to Him. For this reason and others, God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind raised 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to trust in, rely upon and cling to Him in everything we do. (See Proverbs 3:5-6)

Next time we learn how the congregation asks, “is the iniquity of Peor too little for us?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Phinehas and the Princes Speak - Joshua 22:15

And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad,

and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying,

The verse reads, “And they came unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad,” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they came unto the children of Reuben” which means “and they, Phinehas and the ten princes, were brought in, near and close to the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe that descended from Reuben”, “and to the children of Gad” or “and unto the offspring and progeny belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe that descended from Gad”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” and the ten princes approached the offspring of “Reuben and Gad”.

The verse continues, “and to the half tribe of Manasseh, unto the land of Gilead, and they spoke with them, saying, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and to the half tribe of Manasseh” which means “and to one-half of the clan or people group belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”, “unto the land of Gilead” or “to the territory, region and district belonging to 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”, “and they spoke with them, saying” which means “and they, Phinehas and the ten princes, uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh”, uttering, declaring and proclaiming the words in our next verse. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas and the ten princes” also approached the “half-tribe of Manasseh” at “Gilead” and declared the words in our next verse.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Eleazar’s son “Phinehas” and the “ten princes” arrived where the “tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh” were located in “Gilead”, and they began to speak with them, as we shall learn, about the “altar” they erected before they took possession of their inheritance. It is interesting that “Phinehas and the ten princes” so quickly judged the motives and reason for building the altar, but God knew the reason and allowed them to continue in their investigation. God knows us as well, and because we have sin in our lives, and that sin not only separates us from a personal relationship with Him, but also leads to death, He sent His Son Jesus into the world 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how Phinehas and the priests ask, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Phinehas with Ten Princes - Joshua 22:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse fourteen of Joshua we learn Phinehas brought, “with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel” where we read,

And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel;

and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.

The verse reads, “And with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and with him ten princes” which means “and alongside and accompanying him, Phinehas, ten captains and chiefs”, “of each of the chief house a prince” or “pertaining to all, every and the whole of governors, captains and rulers” “throughout all the tribes” which means “in the midst, middle and among each, every and the whole of the clans and people groups” “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”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” was accompanied by “ten” chiefs and chieftains from every dwelling place in the midst of “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “and each one was an head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and each one was an head of the house” which means “and every one of the princes who accompanied Eleazar existed as the great, chief, top and summit of men” “of their fathers” or “belonging to their, the ten princes’, male progenitors and ancestors” “among the thousands of Israel” which means “in the midst and middle pertaining to thousands of people belonging to 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 shared how every one of the ten chiefs and leaders of the dwelling places who accompanied “Phinehas” were male progenitors of their forefathers in the midst of “thousands” of people from Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “ten” chiefs from every one of the dwelling places of their forefathers were representatives in the midst of “thousands” of the people of Israel. We can see how seriously the people of “Israel” saw this erecting of an “altar” by the tribes of “Reuben, Gad and one half tribe of Manasseh”. God wants us to be this passionate about a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead after three days. (See Matthew 6:33) When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner that makes Him our priority which is pleasing to Him and a blessing to us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how Phinehas and the ten princes, “speak”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Children of Israel Sent - Joshua 22:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel heard say, Behold, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh have built an altar over against the land of Canaan, in the borders of Jordan, at the passage of the children of Israel, and when the children of Israel heard of it, the whole congregation of the children of Israel gathered themselves together at Shiloh, to go up to war against them”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse thirteen of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Israel sent” where we read,

And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel sent unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the half tribe of Manasseh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and was the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “sent unto the children or Reuben” or “extended, directed and reached out to the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah who was the progenitor of the tribe of Reuben”, “and to the children of Gad” which means “the offspring and progeny belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's”, “and to the half tribe of Manasseh” or “and to one-half of the clan or people group belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” reached out to the offspring of “Reuben, Gad and the one-half tribe of Manasseh”.

The verse continues, “… into the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “into the land of Gilead” which means “into the territory, region and district belonging to 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”, “Phinehas” whose name means “mouth of brass” and was son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron; his zealousness for the Lord averted a plague on Israel and gained him the promise of the Lord of an everlasting priesthood in his family” “the son of Eleazar the priest” which means “the male offspring belonging to Eleazar whose name means ‘God has helped’ and was the spiritual leader and ruler”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” went into the territory belonging to “Gilead”, and “Phinehas” the male progenitor belonging to the spiritual leader Eleazar was dispatched to encounter the “tribes of Reuben, Gad and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how offspring belonging to “Israel” perceived that the tribes of “Reuben, Gad and one half of the tribe of Manasseh” built their “altar” at the location “Israel” went into the promise land, and they dispatched “Eleazar’s” son “Phinehas” to confront the “tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh”. In other words, God knew what happened, and in a similar manner because everyone has sinned, (See Romans 3:10, 23) 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 trust in, rely upon and cling to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us in all our ways to make Him the priority of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13, Acts 1:8 and Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how “Eleazar the priest’s son Phinehas” brought, “with him ten princes, of each chief house a prince throughout all the tribes of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…