After Three Days - Joshua 3:2

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over”, and in chapter three and verse two of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared what happened, “after three days” where we read,

And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

The verse reads, “And it came to pass after three days, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred” “after three days” or “following three sunrises to sunsets”. Joshua referred to the following event which occurred when “three days” had passed by. 

 

The verse continues, “… that the officers went through the host;” Joshua added the words, “that the officers” or “that the official superintendents, magistrates and overseers” “went through the host” which means “passed over, traversed and experienced the camp or encampment of people”. Joshua or the writer shared how the official overseers traversed the camp of the people of Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the progress of Joshua and the children of Israel as they were on the cusp of entering the promise land. They were stationed beside the Jordan river, and for “three days” they remained encamped. The overseers traversed the camp where the people were, and we shall see how they obey God and advance in our future verses. God wants us to be in a close personal relationship like this with Him 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 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 let us know when to wait and when to move according to His perfect will and plan.

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how, “they commanded the people”, 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 Arose Early in the Morning - Joshua 3:1

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and after getting them to agree to save her and her family, she “sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them. And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-five of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how, “Joshua arose early in the morning” where we read,

And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, 

he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

The verse reads, “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation”, “rose early in the morning” or “started betimes in the morning to the day”: “and they removed from Shittim” which means “and they, the children of Israel, journeyed, marched and set forward from Shittm whose name means the acacias and was the place of Israel's encampment between the conquest of the transjordanic region and crossing the Jordan into Canaan”, “and came to Jordan” or “and resorted to and were brought 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)”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua got up early in the morning of the day, and he and the people of Israel left “Shittim” until they arrived at the “Jordan” river. 

 

The verse continues, “he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.” Joshua added the words, “he and all the children of Israel” or “he, Joshua, and each, every and the whole 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”, “and lodged there” which means “and stopped over, dwelled, remained and abode there, at the Jordan river”  “before they passed over” or “in advance of the children of Israel crossing to the other side of the river”. Joshua shared how he and everyone of the offspring of “Israel” remained at the side of the “Jordan” river in advance of crossing it. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” and the people of Israel rose up early in the morning and traveled from “Shittim” to the side of the Jordan river. There they remained in advance of crossing the river. God’s plan to give the promise land to the people of Israel was underway, and now the children of Israel themselves would be involved. They traveled as far as the Jordan river but remained in that area without crossing it. We shall see what happens with them in our next verses, but for now let us consider how God was working on behalf of His people, and their involvement was to follow Him step by step. God works on our behalf as well, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to follow Him step by step as His Holy Spirit leads us according to His plan and purpose for us. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how it happened, “after three days, that the officers went through the host”, 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 has Delivered - Joshua 2:24

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and after getting them to agree to save her and her family, she “sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-four of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the two men, “said unto Joshua, truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land” where we read,

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land; 

for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

The verse reads, “And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they said unto Joshua” which means “and they, the two men who were spies, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation and was son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan”, “Truly the LORD” or “indeed and certainly Jehovah whose name means the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”, “has delivered into our hands” which means “has put, set, bestowed, granted and consecrated into our, the people of Israel’s, hands of power, might, strength and ability” “all the land” or “each, every and the whole of the region, district and territory”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “two spies” told Joshua that Jehovah God has indeed granted and bestowed the region and territory to the power and might of the people of Israel.  

 

The verse goes on to say, “for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.” Joshua continued with the words, “for even all the inhabitants” or “because, since and on account that each, every and the whole of the people who dwell, remain and live” “of the country” which means “within the region, district and territory” “do faint” or “melt, dissolve and are soft hearted” “because of us” which means “since and on account of us, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men of Israel told Joshua that every one of the people within the territory were softhearted or afraid on account of the people of Israel.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the two spies from Israel reported to “Joshua” how Jehovah God had indeed given the region and territory of Jericho into the power and might of Israel, and this was confirmed because the people within the city were softhearted and afraid because of them. God was at work, and not only did He prepare the people of Israel, but He also cause the people of Jericho to be fearful because of the reports about Israel. God’s desire is to have this type of personal relationship with 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 yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with the power of His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into the way to be victorious over those who rise up against Him and us. (See Romans 8:37)

Next time we begin a new chapter and see the writer or Joshua share how, “Joshua rose early in the morning”, 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 Men Come to Joshua - Joshua 2:23

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and after getting them to agree to save her and her family, she “sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the two men, “came to Joshua” where we read,

So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, 

and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:

The verse reads, “So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so the two men returned” which means “therefore and then the two male human beings who were spies turned and went back”, “and descended from the mountain” or “and declined and came down from the hill country, range of hills or rising above the plain”, “and passed over” which means “and left, traversed and marched”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “two men” from Israel went back from the rising above the plain and traversed until they did the following. 

 

The verse continues, “… and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and came to Joshua” or “and moved toward and were brought to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation and was son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan” “the son of Nun” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Nun whose name means fish or posterity”,  “and told him” or “and recounted, related and rehearsed to him, Joshua” “all things that befell them” which means “each, every and the whole of the acts, deeds and speeches that came upon, encountered and happened to them, the two men”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men went back to “Joshua” who was the male offspring of “Nun” and relayed to him everything that happened to them. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the two spies from Israel descended from the mountain and went back to report to Joshua everything they experienced. We can imagine their excitement as they told Joshua about “Rahab”, her declaration about the fear within the people of Jericho, her preservation of them and the agreement they made with her. God was revealing His plan for giving the promise land to the people of Israel, and these men and Joshua would be used to carry out His will. God wants this type of relationship with us as well, and when we surrender to His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into the truth and help us to realize He is working out His plan of salvation for mankind even when the details are filled with all sorts of people and circumstances. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men told Joshua, “truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land”, 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".

Three Days Abiding in the Mountain - Joshua 2:22

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear. And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-two of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the two men, “came unto the mountain, and abode there three days” where we read,

And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.

The verse reads, “And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they went” which means “and they, the two men of Israel, left and departed”, “and came unto the mountain” or “and lit upon and entered the hill country, range of hills or rising above the plain”, “and abode there three days” which means “and stayed and remained on the mountain for three sunrises to sunsets”, “until the pursuers” or “till such time that the ones following and running after or the chasers” “were returned” which means “are turned and come back to the city”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men of Israel left Rahab to the rising above the plain and stayed there for three sunrises to sunsets till such time that the ones chasing after them went back to the city. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not.” Joshua continued with the words, “and the pursuers” or “and the the ones following and running after or the chasers” “sought them” which means “strove and looked for them, the two men of Israel” “throughout all the way” or “through the whole and totality of the road, distance, journey and path”, “but found them not” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover did not meet, encounter or discover them, the two men”. Joshua or the writer shared how the men from the city of Jericho who were running after the two men from Israel were unable to encounter and find them.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how the two men of Israel followed the instructions of Rahab as they left her home, went to the rising above the plain and remained there for “three days” till such time as the ones chasing after them went back to the city of Jericho after failing to find them. God preserved His servants from Israel, and in the same way He desires to save us from the penalty of eternal death which is wage of sin. (See Romans 6:23) God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and lead us in ways that rescue us in this life and in the eternal life to come. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men, “came to 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".

Let It Be - Joshua 2:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how Rahab told the two men, “according unto your words, so be it” where we read,

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. 

And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

The verse reads, “And she said, According unto your words, so be it.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and she said” which means “and she, Rahab, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “according unto your words” or “in keeping with your, the two men’s, utterances, declarations and proclamations”, “so be it” which means “let it be thus and so”. Joshua or the writer declared how Rahab said to the two men that in keeping with their words it should exist. 

 

The verse continues, “And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” Joshua added the words, “and she sent them away” or “and she, Rahab, set free, dismissed and let them depart”, “and they departed” which means “and they, the two men, left and went away”: “and she bound the scarlet line” or “and she, Rahab, fastened and tied the crimson or scarlet colored rope or cord” “in the window” which means “within the opening and perforation in the wall of her house”. Joshua or the writer said Rahab let the two men depart and tied the crimson cord within the opening in the wall of her house. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Rahab committed to keep the agreement she made with the two men of Israel. She let them depart, and put the scarlet cord in the “window” of her house. Because she kept her commitment, her entire household was to be saved. God wants the same for us, and when we receive 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 put His Holy Spirit within us so we are guided to the truth and given the ability to keep our commitments to Him and others in the world. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men, “came unto the mountain, and abode there three days”, 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".

If You Utter Our Business - Joshua 2:20

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the men told Rahab, what will happen, “if you utter this our business” where we read,

And if you utter this our business,

 then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.

The verse reads, “And if you utter this our business, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and if you utter” which means “and whether and in case you, Rahab, declare, proclaim and speak about” “this our business” or “this, the agreement, occupation and matter between the two men and Rahab” the following will happen. Joshua or the writer began to share what would happen if Rahab told anyone about the agreement that was made between her and the two men of Israel. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.” Joshua continued with the words, “then we will be quit” or “at that time we, the two men and the people of Israel, free, clear, exempt and innocent” “of your oath” which means “pertaining to your, Rahab’s, attesting of innocence and promise” “which you have made us to swear” or “that you, Rahab, have fashioned, accomplished and caused us, the two men, for which to take an oath”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men told Rahab they would be innocent and free from their promise which she caused them to agree.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how the two men from Israel were serious about Rahab not telling anyone about their agreement. They told her if she spoke of it, they would be free from keeping the promise which she made them agree. God keeps His promises, and He wants us to do the same. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, Deuteronomy 23:21-23) He promised forgiveness of sins, everlasting life and the gift of His Holy Spirit when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. Let us yield to Him and allow God to reveal His promise to us as we keep our promises to Him and others. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how Rahab tells the two men, “according unto your words, so be it”, 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".