The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, July 5, 2026

Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib - Joshua 15:43

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, and Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, and Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages: Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-three of Joshua we learn about, “Jiphtah, Ashnah, and Nezib” where we read,

And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib,

The verse reads, “And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Jiphtah" whose name means “he opens” and was “named after a son of Gilead and a concubine and the judge who defeated the Ammonites; after the victory because of a vow taken before the battle he sacrificed his daughter as a burnt offering and was given to Judah”, “and Ashnah” whose name means “I will cause change” and was “a town in Judah”. Joshua or the writer named “Jiphtah and Ashnah” as dwelling places which were allotted to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Nezib,” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Nezib” which means “garrison or pillar” and was “a city in the lowlands of Judah on the border of Philistia”. Joshua or the writer added “Nezih” to the places given to the people of Judah.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer about three more cities that were provided to the “tribe of Judah”. “Jiphtah, Ashnah and Nezib” were added to the number of places within the promise land that were given the “Judah’s” people. God loves to provide for His people, and because sin within us has separated us from a personal relationship with Him, 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 submit to Him, 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 in a manner that is pleasing to Him and able to receive whatever He desires to give to us.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Keilah, Achzib, and Mareshah”, 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".

Libnah, Ether, and Ashan - Joshua 15:42

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, and Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, and Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages:”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-two of Joshua we learn about, “Libnah, Ether, and Ashan” where we read,

Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan

The verse reads, “Libnah, and Ether, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Libnah" whose name means “pavement” and was “a royal city of the Canaanites in the southwest captured by Joshua; allocated to Judah and made a Levitical city; site unknown”, “and Ether” whose name means “abundant” and was “a town in the lowlands of Judah allotted to Simeon”. Joshua or the write added “Libnah and Ether” to the list of the names of the “cities” which were occupied by the “tribe of Judah”.

The verse continues, “… and Ashan.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Ashan” which means “smoke” and was “a city in the lowland of Judah later mentioned as belonging to Simeon”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ashan” or “smoke” was included in the names of the dwelling places that were assigned to the people of “Judah”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about three more “cities”, “Libnah, Ether, and Ashan” , that were given to the “tribe of Judah”. Jehovah God not only told the people of Israel that He would give them the promise land, but He also helped them to obtain it. God will do the same for us 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. When we yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life with Him and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and is able to receive all that He has for us.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah - Joshua 15:41

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, and Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-one of Joshua we learn about, “Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah, and Makkedah” where we read,

And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah;

sixteen cities with their villages:

The verse reads, “and Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Gederoth" whose name means “walls” and was “a town in the low country of Judah”, “Bethdagon” whose name means “house of Dagon” and was “the temple of Dagon in Judah”, “and Naamah” or “loveliness” and was “a town in the lowlands of Judah in Philistia, “and Makkedah” which means “place of shepherds” and was “the location of a cave in Judah where Joshua captured and executed five Canaanite kings during the conquest; located near Bethhoron and Libnah”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah and Makkedah” were among the dwelling places that were granted to the “tribe of Judah”.

The verse goes on to say, “sixteen cities with their villages:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “sixteen cities” which means “sixteen dwelling places or towns” “with their villages” or “alongside and accompanying their, the sixteen cities’, settled abodes and towns”. Joshua or the writer shared how there were “sixteen” dwelling places accompanied by their settled abodes that were assigned to the people of “Judah”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah” were included in the “sixteen” dwelling places in this area that were given to the “tribe of Judah”. These places were given specifically to the people of “Judah”, and God has a place for us as well. When we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who came into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all man and to be raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live according to that truth wherever we are in the world. (See John 3:16; John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Libnah, Ether, and Ashan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish - Joshua 15:40

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages, and in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, and Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty of Joshua we learn about, “Cabbon, Lahmam, and Kithlish” where we read,

And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish,

The verse reads, “And Cabbon, and Lahmam, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Cabbon" whose name means “the builder” and was “a town in the low country of Judah”, “and Lahmam” whose name means “provisions” and was “a town in the lowland of Judah”. Joshua or the writer said “Cabbon and Lahmam” were also among the “cities” allotted to the “tribe of Judah”.

The verse continues, “… and Kithlish,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Kithlish” whose name means “man’s wall” and was “one of the lowland towns of Judah”. Joshua or the writer also shared that “Kithlish” was included in the dwelling places given to the people of “Judah”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the “cities” of “Cabbon, Lahmam, and Kithlish” were given to the people of “Judah” where they would live in the presence of Jehovah God and raise their families. “The builder, provisions and man’s wall” were the meanings of their names, and even as Jehovah God provided for the people of Israel, so will He provide for us 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. God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit in us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so that we too will live in His presence in a manner that is pleasing to Him.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah, and Makkedah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon - Joshua 15:39

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages, and in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, and Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, and Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-nine of Joshua we learn about, “Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon” where we read,

Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon

The verse reads, “Lachish, and Bozkath, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Lachish" whose name means “invincible” and was “a city lying south of Jerusalem on the borders of Simeon which belonged to the Amorites until conquered by Joshua and allotted to Judah”, “and Bozkath” or “Boscath” whose name means “rocky height” and was “a city in Judah in the lowlands toward the Philistines, and the home of Josiah's mother”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Lachish and Bozkath” were enumerated among the “cities” provided to the “tribe of Judah”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Eglon” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Eglon” whose name means “calf-like” and was “a royal city in Canaan that opposed the conquest; located in the low lands of Judah”. Joshua or the writer added “Eglon” to the “cities” that were conquered by Israel and allotted to the people of “Judah”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about three more “cities” that were granted to the “tribe of Judah”. “Lachish, Bozkath and Eglon” were the next names of the places which were occupied by the people of “Judah”. God kept His promise to give territory to the people of Israel, and He will give us forgiveness of sins, eternal life and His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”. God loves us, and when we yield to Him, He will keep His promise to provide for us forever and ever.

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Cabbon, Lahmam, and Kithlish”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel - Joshua 15:38

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages, and in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, and Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages: Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-eight of Joshua we learn about, “Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel” where we read,

And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel

The verse reads, “and Dilean, and Mizpeh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Dilean" whose name means “gourd” and was “one of the cities in the lowlands of Judah, site uncertain”, “and Mizpeh” whose name means “watchtower” and was “a city in the district of the Shephelah or lowlands of Judah”. Joshua or the writer added “Dillan and Mizpeh” to the “cities” which were assigned to the “tribe of Judah” within the promise land.

The verse continues, “… and Joktheel”. Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Joktheel” whose name means “the blessedness of God” and was “a city in the low country of Judah named next to Lachish”. Joshua or the writer included “Joktheel” to the list of “cities” which were granted to the “tribe of Judah” within the land of promise.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how “Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel” were among the dwelling places which were given by Jehovah God through Joshua to the people of “Judah”. These were places which were occupied by pagan Gentiles who had been defeated by the army of Israel, and their homes, businesses and buildings were left for the “tribe of Judah” to occupy. Jehovah God suppled these blessing to “Judah” to be used for their living and worship of Him. God gives and provides for us as well, and because everything belongs to Him (See Psalm 24:1), He is able to distribute according to His purpose and will. This much we know, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and His desire is for everyone to believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit 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 empower us to live according to that truth so that our lives become a witness of His “saving power” that is available to everyone. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Timothy 2:4)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Zenan, Hadashah and Migdalgad - Joshua 15:37

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “this is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families” which included among others “all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages, and in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, and Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, and Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages”, and in chapter fifteen and verse thirty-seven of Joshua we learn about, “Zenan, Hadashah and Migdalgad” where we read,

Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad

The verse reads, “Zenan, and Hadashah, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Zenan” whose name means “pointed” and was “a town in the low country of Judah”, “and Hadashah” whose name means “new” and was “one of the towns in the low country of Judah”. Joshua or the writer said “Zenan and Hadashah” were among the “cities” given to the “tribe of Judah” as an inheritance within the promise land.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Migdalgad”. Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Migdalgad” whose name means “tower of God” and was “one of the fortified cities of Judah”. Joshua or the writer added the fortified city of “Migdalgad” to the ones which were given to the people of “Judah”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Zenan, Hadashah, and Migdalgad” were among the dwelling places allotted to the “tribe of Judah”. “Migdalgad” was a “fortified city”, and all of these places would be used by the people of “Judah” to live out their lives before Almighty God. God loves the people of Israel, and He provided for them when they entered into the promise land. God loves us as well, and because He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the grave after three days, when we believe 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 all truth and empower us to live in keeping with that truth so that our lives become a witness to the world that “Jesus Saves”. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-9)

Next time Joshua or the writer shares about, “Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…