When the Inhabitants of Gibeon Heard - Joshua 9:3

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof. That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord”, and in chapter nine and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done” where we read, 

And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

The verse reads, “And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and when the inhabitants” which means “and at the time and moment the dwellers, abiders and ones who remained” “of Gibeon heard” or “pertaining to Gibeon whose name means hill city and was a Levitical city of Benjamin or modern ‘el-jib’  which lies five miles or 8 km from Jerusalem, were given the ability to hear, perceive, notice, discern and understand” the following. Joshua or the writer shared how the people who lived in “Gibeon” also were given the faculty to “hear” the following. 

 

The verse continues, “… what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “what Joshua” which means “that which Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “had done unto Jericho” or “had produced and performed toward 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” “and to Ai” which means “and toward Ai whose name means 'heap of ruins’ and was a city lying east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho and the second city taken on the invasion of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of “Gibeon” perceive what the people of “Israel” did through Jehovah God to “Jericho and Ai”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Gibeon” understood what “Israel” did to the cities of “Jericho and Ai”. We can imagine their fear, and we shall see what they do about it in our next verses. God was going before the people of “Israel”, and they were to rely upon Him. God wants us to rely upon Him as well. He knows everything, including that which we shall encounter in the future. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days 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 equip us with the truth as He empowers us to live according to His ways while trusting Him with our future.

Next time we learn how the people of Gibeon, “did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors”, 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".

Kings Gathering Together to Fight Against Israel - Joshua 9:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof”, and in chapter nine and verse two of the book of Joshua, we learn how the kings, “gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel” where we read, 

That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.

The verse reads, “That they gathered themselves together, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “that they” which means “so they, the kings on the western side of the Jordan river” “gathered themselves together” or “assembled and collected their own selves with one another” for the following purpose. Joshua or the writer said the “kings” on the western side of the “Jordan river” assembled their own selves with one another for the following reason. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to fight with Joshua” which means “to battle and wage war against and in opposition to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “and with Israel” or “and against and in opposition to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “with one accord” which means “by the use of unity and a single purpose and end”. Joshua shared how the “kings” on the western side of the “Jordan river” assembled with a single purpose to wage war against “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “kings” on the “western side of Jordan” assembled together for the purpose of waging war against “Israel”. They “heard” about them conquering “Jericho and Ai”, and we can imagine the concern of these royal rulers as they determined their demise could be at hand. God was fighting on Israel’s behalf, and the knowledge of His presence with Israel must have made these foreign leaders afraid. God defends those who align with Him and His ways, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of al mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days 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 put His Holy Spirt within us to guide us into all truth and assure us that He is not only with us, but He also goes before us into whatever we encounter in this life.

Next time we learn what happens, “when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to 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".

When All the Kings Were on This Side Jordan - Joshua 9:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua, “read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them”, and in chapter nine and verse one of the book of Joshua, we learn about, “when all the kings which were on this side Jordan” where we read, 

And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “when all the kings” or “at the time and moment each, every, the whole and every one of the royal rulers” “which were on this side Jordan” which means “who existed upon the current region or western side of Jordan whose name means descender and is the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”, “in the hills” or “within the mounds, range of hills or mountains”, “and in the valleys” which means “and within the lowlands, low country or plains”. Joshua or the writer referred to every one of the royal rulers who were located on the western side of the “Jordan” river within the risings of the plain and the lowlands.

 

The verse continues, “… and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof;” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and in all the coasts” which means “and within each, every, the whole and every one of the seashores” “of the great sea” or “pertaining to the massive and abundant large body of water”, “over against Lebanon” which means “next to Lebanon whose name means whiteness and was a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel”, “the Hittite” or “the descendants of Heth and the second son of Canaan who were once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey)”, “and the Amorite” whose name means “a sayer and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan who was dispossessed by the Israel incursion from Egypt”, “the Canaanite” or “Cana who were merchants and traders in Cana”, “the Perizzite” which means “belonging to a village who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest”, “the Hivite” whose name means “villagers and were the six generation of descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who were living in northern Canaan near Mount Hermon at the time of the conquest”, “and the Jebusite” which means “and the descendants of Jebus who’s the third son of Canaan who lived in or around the site of Jebus and was the early name for Jerusalem” “heard thereof” or “were given the faculty for hearing, perceiving, discerning and understanding”.  Joshua or the writer shared how the royal rulers on the western side of the “Jordan” river which included “the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites” all “heard” about the conquests of Israel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua how the royal rulers from “Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite” perceived and understood the power and might of the people of Israel. Because God conquered “Jericho and Ai”, all of these leaders were on alert. We shall see more about their efforts in the verses ahead, but for now, let us realize God was going before the people of Israel to defeat their enemies and give them the promise land. In like manner, God will go before us when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and go before us by the power of His Holy Spirit so we may defeat our spiritual foes who desire to destroy us as they make a mockery of our relationship with Almighty God. 

Next time we learn how the kings, “gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel”, 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".

Not a Word Read Not - Joshua 8:35

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua, “read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-five of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “there was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not” where we read, 

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

The verse reads, “There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “there was not a word which means “there did not exist a single utterance, declaration or proclamation” “of all that Moses commanded” or “pertaining to each, every, the whole and everyone of the orders and charges that Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus ordered and charged”, “which Joshua read not”, which means “that Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation did not declare and proclaim” “before all the congregation” or “in front and in the presence of each, every, the whole and every one of the people who were gathered together and assembled” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua did not fail to proclaim a single utterance that “Moses” charged in front and in the presence of every one of the people of “Israel” who were assembled. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “with the women” which means “accompanied by the female human beings”, “and the little ones” or “and the small ones or children”, “and the strangers” which means “and the foreigners, newcomers or sojourners” “that were conversant among them” or “who proceeded, departed and moved away in the midst of them, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “women, children and foreigners” were also in the midst of the people of Israel who were assembled.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua”  read every one of the “words” that “Moses” spoke to the assembled people of Israel. Men, women, boys and girls as well as foreigners were in the crowd, and God’s word from “Moses” was for everyone. God’s word is relevant today, and in His word we discover His plan for the salvation of mankind through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He was raised from the dead after three days, and 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 who will guide us into all truth according to His “word” and empower us to live according to that which He has said. 

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn about, “when all the kings which were on this side 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 Reads the Law - Joshua 8:34

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-four of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua, “read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings” where we read, 

And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, 

according to all that is written in the book of the law.

The verse reads, “And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and afterward” which means “and following the time when Joshua divided the people of Israel into two groups and had them stand upon mount Garizim and mount Ebal” “he read all the words” or “he, Joshua, called out, recited and proclaimed each, every, the whole and every one of the utterances, declarations and proclamations” “of the law”, which means “belonging to the direction, instruction and legal codes”, “the blessings” or “the praises of prosperity, gifts and peace” “and cursings” which means “and vilifications, execrations and that which is accursed”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” proclaimed every declaration belonging to the instruction of God including all the praises of prosperity and peace and the vilification of acts which are accursed. 

 

The verse continues, “… according to all that is written in the book of the law.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “according to all that is written” which means “in keeping with each, every, the whole and every one of the words which were inscribed and engraved” “in the book” or “within the missive, document or writing” “of the law” which means “pertaining to the direction, instruction and legal codes”.  Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” proclaimed the “law of Moses” in keeping with everything that was inscribed within his document of instructions and legal codes. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua began to declare every “word” of Jehovah God’s “law” as given to “Moses”. Not only were the people of Israel to worship God by offering sacrifices on the alter and to know the “law of God” inscribed thereon, but they were also to know and obey “every word” of God given to them. God knows what is best for all our lives, and when we “read” the Bible, we are hearing from Him. God wants us to know Him and to have a personal relationship with Him 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 as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to remind us of His “law” and ways, and to help us be obedient to His every command. 

Next time we learn how, “there was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not”, 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".

Blessing the People of Israel - Joshua 8:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua, “wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-three of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua was reminded that, “they should bless the people of Israel” where we read, 

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

The verse reads, “And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all Israel” which means “and each, every, 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”, “and their elders” or “and their, the people of Israel’s, aged and older men with authority”, “and officers”, which means “and scribes, overseers and official superintendents or magistrates”, “and their judges” or “and their, the people of Israel’s, governors, law-givers and litigators”, “stood on this side the ark” which means “continued, withstood, were established and waited upon this particular side of the chest or box” “and on that side” or “and upon that particular side” “before the priests” which means “in advance, in front and in the presence of the spiritual principal officers and chief rulers” “the Levites” or “the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and was the tribe who were the tribe from Jacob who were specially set aside by God for His service”, “which bare the ark” which means “that lifted up and carried the chest or box” “of the covenant” or “pertaining to the alliance, treaty, pledge and agreement” “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 shared how everyone in “Israel” including their aged men, the overseers, the governors and litigators were standing on both sides of the “ark of the covenant” in the presence of the spiritual leaders and the Levitical servants who were carrying the “ark”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “as well the stranger” which means “including the sojourner, foreigner and newcomer”, “as he that was born among them” or “and the person who was native born in the midst of them, the people of Israel”; “half of them” which means “one-half of them, the people of Israel” “over against mount Gerizim” or “toward the rising of the plain or mounds known as Gerizim whose name means cuttings off and was a mountain in northern Israel in Ephraim near Shechem from which the blessings were read to the Israelites on entering Canaan”, “and half of them” or “and one-half of them, the people of Israel” “over against mount Ebal” which means “toward the rising of the plain or mounds known as Ebal whose name means ‘stone or bare mountain’ and was the mountain of cursing which was north of Shechem and opposite Mount Garizim”; “as Moses” or “similar and in likeness to the way Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant to the LORD” which means “the man of servile condition, slave or bondman to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “had commanded before” or “had ordered and charged prior to and in advance”, “that they should bless” which means “that they, the people located on the mountains, are to praise and salute” “the people of Israel” or “the human beings belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel whether “native born” in Israel or a foreigner who came into Israel were to divide into two groups and have one group on the mountain of “Gerizim” and the other on the mountain of “Ebal” to give praise and honor to Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the continuation of honoring Jehovah God was implemented by Joshua and the people of Israel. All of Israel was gathered together including the authorities, officials, governors, litigators and spiritual leaders. They were to divide themselves into two groups which would align themselves on mountains that were across from one another even as Moses did before they entered the promise land. (See Deuteronomy 27:12-13) We shall learn more about this event in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful of the purpose of this worship of Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. When we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and encourage us to bestow honor and praise unto God for who He is and what He has done. 

Next time we learn how Joshua, “read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings”, 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".