Fighting Canaanites in Hebron - Judges 1:10

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire. And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley”, and in chapter one and verse ten of Judges, we learn how “Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron” where we read,

And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.

The verse reads, “And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron:” The writer began with the words, “and Judah” whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “went against the Canaanites” or “waged war and battle in opposition to the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and were the descendants or inhabitants of Canaan” “that dwelt in Hebron” which means “who inhabited, lived in and abode within Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Judah” waged war in opposition to the “Canaanite” people who live within “Hebron”. 

The verse continues, “(now the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba:) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.” The writer added the words, “(now the name of Hebron before” which means “the reputation, fame and glory belonging to Hebron whose name means ‘association’” “was Kirjatharba” or “was previously called Kirjatharaba whose name means ‘city of Arba’ which was located in Palestine”) “and they slew Shehai” or “and they, the people of Judah, hit, beat and killed Shehai whose name means ‘noble’ and was a son of Anak and one of the giants in the land of Canaan”, “and Ahiman” whose name means ‘my brother is a gift’ and was a son of Anak”, “and Talmai” whose name means ‘furrowed’ and was one of the three sons of the giant Anak who were slain by the men of Judah”. The writer shared how “Hebron” was formerly called “Kirjatharba” where the tribe of Judah killed “Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai” who were descendants of the giant “Anak” who lived within that land.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the tribe of “Judah” continued to seize territories that were occupied by “Canaanites”. “Hebron” was the next area to capture, and even though “giants” lived there, they were not able to resist the power of Almighty God who fought on behalf of Judah. God loves the people of Israel, and because they were to be the nation through whom the entire world would be blessed, (See Genesis 12:3) God gave them victory after victory over their foes. God will do the same for us when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we yield to Him as our “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 empower us to live according to that truth so that we shall conquer all the giants of sin within our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37-39)

Next time we learn how, “from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir”, 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".

Fighting Canaanites in the Mountain - Judges 1:9

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire”, and in chapter one and verse nine of Judges, we learn how “the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain” where we read,

And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, 

that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.

The verse reads, “And afterward the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, …” The writer began with the words, “and afterward” which means “and following the time when the offspring of Judah fought against Jerusalem” “the children of Judah” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “went down to fight against the Canaanites” which means “marched and descended to wage war and battle in opposition to the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and were the descendants or inhabitants of Canaan”. The writer shared how following the time the “tribe of Judah” did battle in opposition to “Jerusalem”, they waged war with the “Canaanites” in the following place.

The verse goes on to say, “… that dwelt in the mountain, and in the south, and in the valley.” The writer continued with the words, “that dwelt in the mountain” which means “who lived and abided within the rising above the plain”, “and in the south” or “and within the southern direction or Negev”, “and in the valley” or “and within the vale or lowland”. The writer shared how the people of  “Judah” waged war in opposition to the “Canaanites” within the rising above the plain, within the southern direction and within the vale.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Judah” continued to wage war against the “Canaanites” that were located within the promise land. Joshua told them there was territory to possess, (See Joshua 15), and they battled those living within the hill country, in the Negev and in the western foothills”. God gave these territories to the people of Judah even as He promised, and because He loves the people of Israel, they were blessed. God loves us as well, and He proved His love to us when 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 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us conquer every area of need that exists within our lives. (See Philippians 4:19)

Next time we learn how, “Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron”, 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".

Judah Had Fought Against Jerusalem - Judges 1:8

In the book of Judges we learned how the king of the Canaanites, “Adonibezek fled” from the tribe of Judah, “and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes. And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died”, and in chapter one and verse eight of Judges, we learn how “the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem” where we read,

Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, 

and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.

The verse reads, “Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it, …” The writer began with the words, “now the children of Judah” which means “it was so that the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “had fought against Jerusalem” or “battled and waged war in opposition to Jerusalem whose name means ‘teaching of peace’ and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and had taken it” which means “and overtook, possessed, seized and occupied it, Jerusalem”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Judah” waged war in opposition to the city of “Jerusalem”, and they seized the city. 

The verse continues, “… and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and set the city on fire.” The writer added the words, “and smitten it” which means “and struck, beat and killed it, Jerusalem” “with the edge of the sword” or “by the use of a sharpened weapon, tool or implement of war”, “and set the city on fire” or “and intentionally burnt the dwelling place with fiery fire”. The writer shared how the people of Judah intentionally burnt the dwelling place of “Jerusalem” with fiery fire.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the tribe of “Judah” waged war and battle in opposition to the city of “Jerusalem”, and after capturing the city, they burnt the city with fiery fire. This is how the tribe of “Judah” came to rule and reign over “Jerusalem” as they beat, hit and struck the occupants of the city until they possessed the territory there. God owns everything, (See Psalm 24:1) and He gave His best gift, His Son Jesus, 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 personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into the 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, “the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain”, 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".

 

Thumbs and Toes Cut Off - Judges 1:7

In the book of Judges we learned about Judah how, “the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzite. But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes”, and in chapter one and verse seven of Judges, we learn how “Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off” where we read,

And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

The verse reads, “And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table:” The writer began with the words, “and Adonibezek said” which means “and Adonibezek whose name means ‘my lord is Besek’ and was the king of the Canaanite city of Bezek, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “threescore and ten kings” or “seventy royal rulers and leaders”, “having their thumbs and their great toes cut off” which means “with their, the seventy royal rulers’, thumbs on their hands for holding swords and their, the seventy royal rulers’, big toes on their feet for running hewn off and severed”, “gathered their meat” or “picked up and collected their, the seventy royal rulers’, food” “under my table” which means “beneath my, Adonibezek’s, meal table”. The writer shared how “Adonibezek” declared that “seventy” royal rulers who had the “thumbs” of their hands and their “big toes” severed ate their food at his royal table. 

The verse goes on to say, “… as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.” The writer continued with the words, “as I have done” which means “in a similar and like manner that I, Adonibezek, have performed and produced”, “so God has requited me” or “even so and indeed the Supreme Deity has rewarded and repaid me, Adonibezek”. “And they brought him to Jerusalem” which means “and they, the people of Judah, carried and led him, Adonibezek, to Jerusalem whose name means ‘teaching of peace’ and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”, “and there he died” or “and there, in Jerusalem, he, Adonibezek, took his last breath and expired”. The writer shared how “Adonibezek” knew that he reaped what He sowed because Jehovah God rewarded him even as he had done to the seventy royal rulers, and afterward the people of “Judah” led him to the city of “Jerusalem” where he expired. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Adonibezek” received what he did to “seventy” other “royal rulers”. He severed their “thumbs and big toes”, and his “thumbs and big toes” were hewn off too. The principle of “sowing and reaping” was spoken of by Paul the apostle in the New Testament, (See Galatians 6:7) and in a similar manner Jehovah God 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we reap from our faith and not from the evil acts we have committed. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Galatians 6:8-10)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem”, 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".

 

Adonibezek Fled and was Found - Judges 1:6

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites”, and in chapter one and verse six of Judges, we learn how “Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him” where we read,

But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, 

and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

The verse reads, “But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, …” The writer began with the words, “but Adonibezek fled” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Adonibezek whose name means ‘my lord is Besek’ and was the king of the Canaanite city of Bezek, killed by Israelites” took flight, departed, disappeared and escaped; “and they pursued after him” or “and they, the people of Judah, followed after, chased and aimed eagerly to secure”, “and caught him” which means “and grasped, took possession of and seized, him, Adonibezek”. The writer shared how king “Adonibezek” ran away and escaped the people of “Judah”, however, they chased after “Adonibezek” and seized him. 

The verse continues, “… and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.” The writer added the words, “and cut off his thumbs” which means “and hewed in half and severed his, Adonibezek’s thumbs on his hands” “and his great toes” or “and his, Adonibezek’s, big or largest toes on his foot”. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” severed the “thumbs and big toes” of “Adonibezek”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the “king” of “Bezek” responded when the  tribe of “Judah” attacked the “Canaanites”. He ran away, however, the people of “Judah” chased after him, seized him and severed his “thumbs” which were used for holding swords and “big toes” which helped in running. We shall see why they did this in our next verse, but for now let us be reminded when God goes after someone, they shall not escape. God loves people, and He wants everyone to be in a personal relationship 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 surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit in us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so all enemies flee and are never able to fight against or outrun him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off”, 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".

Adonibezek Found in Bezek - Judges 1:5

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men”, and in chapter one and verse five of Judges, we learn how “they found Adonibezek in Bezek” where we read,

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, 

and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

The verse reads, “And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, …” The writer began with the words, “and they found Adonibezek” which means “and they, the people of Judah, discovered Adonibezek whose name means ‘the Lord is Bezek’ who was the king of the Canaanite city of Bezek” “in Bezek” or “within Bezek whose name means ‘lightning’ and was the home of Adonibezek and the place where Israel rallied under Saul” :“and they fought against him” which means “and they, Judah, battled and warred in opposition to him, Adonibezek”. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” discovered the “king” of “Bezek” whose name was “Adonibezek”, and they waged war in opposition to him.

The verse goes on to say, “… and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they slew the Canaanites” which means “and they, the people of Judah, struck, hit, beat and killed the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua” “and the Perizzites” whose name means ‘belonging to a village’ and were a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” killed the “Canaanites and Perizzites”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more about the conquest of the people of “Judah” over the “Canaanites and Perizzites” where the territory given to them by God was located. Not only did they defeat their armies, but the also discovered the whereabouts of their “king”, “Adonibezek”, who was in that area. God provided for “Judah”, and He will provide for us when we put our faith and trust in 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 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 and give us the ability to live according to that truth so that we too shall conquer every foe who rises against us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him”, 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".

Judah Went Up and the LORD Delivered - Judges 1:4

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him”, and in chapter one and verse four of Judges, we learn how “Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand” where we read,

And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

The verse reads, “And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand:” The writer began with the words, “and Judah went up” which means “and Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the son of Jacob by Leah”; “and the LORD” or “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “delivered the Canaaites” which means “gave, bestowed, granted, permitted and ascribed the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua” “and the Perizzites” or “and the Perizzites whose name means ‘belonging to a village’ and were a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest” “into their hand” which means “in their, Judah’s, power, might and strength”. The writer shared how “Judah” ascended to the territory occupied by the “Canaanites and Perrizites”, and Jehovah God gave them over to the strength and might of “Judah”. 

The verse continues, “and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and they slew of them” which means “and they, the people of Judah, struck, beat, hit and killed them, the Canaanites” “in Bezek” or “within Bezek whose name means lightning and was the home of Adonibezek and the place where Israel rallied under Saul” “ten thousand men” which means “ten thousand male human beings”. The writer shared how “Judah” killed ten thousand “Canaanites” within “Bezek”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Judah” acted upon the word of Jehovah God by ascending to the region where the “Canaanites” occupied the land, and they not only defeated and killed the “Canaanites” located there, but they also destroyed the “Perizzites”. God gave “Judah” this victory, and He will give us the victory over sin and death when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and help us to conquer our foes when we put our faith and trust in Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “they found Adonibezek in Bezek”, 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".