The Word for Today with Ray

Monday, September 14, 2026

Deborah Under the Palm Tree - Judges 4:5

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time”, and in chapter four and verse five of Judges, we learn how Deborah, “dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel” where we read,

And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

The verse reads, “And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim:” The writer began with the words, “and she dwelt” which means “and she, Deborah, abided and lived” “under the palm tree of Deborah” or “beneath the date palm tree belonging to Deborah whose name means ‘bee’” “between Ramah” which means “in the midst and middle of Ramah whose name means ‘hill’ and was a town in Benjamin on the border of Ephraim about five miles (8 km) from Jerusalem and near to Gibeah” “and Bethel” whose name means ‘house of God’ and was “ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)” “in mount Ephraim” which means “within the mountain and rising above the plain know as Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was the second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh”. The writer shared how “Deborah” lived beneath the date palm tree named after her which was located “between” “Ramah” and “Bethel” which were in the rising above the plain known as “Ephraim”.

The verse continues, “and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.” The writer added the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and 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” “came up to her for judgment” or “approached, arose and ascended to her, Deborah, on behalf of deciding a case, ordinance, litigation, procedure and process”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” ascended to “Deborah” to have her decide, give process and litigation for cases and causes.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn not only that “Deborah” lived within the rising above the plain known as “Ephraim” beneath the date palm tree named after her, and the people of Israel ascended to where she was located to have her decide cases and share litigation with them. God set this process in order, and it was meant to deliver His people “Israel” from the oppression of “Jabin”. God has a plan for the redemption of mankind 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 put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and provide us with the ability to live according to that truth so we too become useful in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Mark 10:44)

Next time we learn how Deborah, “sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali”, 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".

Deborah the Prophetess - Judges 4:4

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel”, and in chapter four and verse four of Judges, we learn about, “Deborah, a prophetess” where we read,

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

The verse reads, “And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth,” The writer began with the words, “and Deborah” whose name means “bee”, “a prophetess” or “a poetess who consulted and was the female spouse of a prophet”, “the wife of Lapidoth” which means “the female spouse belonging to Lapidoth whose name means “torches”. The writer began to share about “Deborah” who was a “prophetess” and the female spouse of a man named “Lapidoth”.

The verse goes on to say, “she judged Israel at that time.” The writer continued with the words, “she judged Israel” which means “she, Deborah, governed, ruled and decided controversy over Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “at that time” or “during that season or time period when Jabin oppressed Israel”. The writer shared how “Deborah” governed over the people of “Israel” during the time “Jabin” afflicted “Israel”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn about a woman named “Deborah” who was a “prophetess” and a “judge” who governed over “Israel”. Her tenure was during the time “Jabin” was oppressing “Israel”, and we shall see how Jehovah God uses her to deliver the people of “Israel” again. God is no respecter of persons, (See Acts 10:34-35) and this time He employed the services of “Deborah” to accomplish His will. God wants to have a personal intimate relationship with all of us through 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to use us to fulfill all He desires within His Kingdom according to His will. (See Matthew 6:33; John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how Deborah, “dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Nine Hundred Chariots - Judges 4:3

And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron;

and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron;” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “cried unto the LORD” or “summoned and called out for help to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”: “for he had nine hundred chariots of iron” which means “because he, Jabin, possessed and owned nine hundred war wagons constructed with iron ore”. The writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” called out for help from Jehovah God because “Jabin” possessed “nine hundred” battle wagons or carts that were made with iron ore.

The verse continues, “and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.” The writer added the words, “and twenty years” which means “and twenty annual sets of days” “he mightily oppressed” or “he, Jabin, strongly and forcefully squeezed, distressed and crushed” “the children of Israel” which means “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”. The writer shared how “Jabin” forcefully afflicted the offspring of “Israel” for a period of “twenty” annual sets of days.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Jabin” possessed powerful weapons of war, nine hundred war wagons made with iron, to keep the offspring of Israel afflicted for “twenty years”. “Israel” once again had forsaken Jehovah God, and when He gave them over to “Jabin”, they suffered for it. God wants to free people from sin and oppression, and this is accomplished when we receive His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross and raised from the dead after three days. As we believe 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 accompany us regardless of our circumstances in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20)

Next time we learn about, “Deborah, a prophetess”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Sold to Jabin - Judges 4:2

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead”, and in chapter four and verse two of Judges, we learn how, “the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan” where we read,

And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor;

the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

The verse reads, “And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor;” The writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “sold them” or “gave or delivered them, the people of Israel, over to slavery” “into the hand of Jabin” which means “over to the power, might and authority of Jabin whose name means ‘whom God observes’ and was another king of Hazor whose general, Sisera, was defeated by Barak” “king of Canaan” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Canaan whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’ and was the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua”, “that reigned in Hazor” which means “who counseled, advised and ruled within Hazor whose name means ‘castle’ and was a royal city of northern Palestine allotted to Naphtali”. The writer shared how Jehovah God delivered the people of “Israel” over to the power and might of “Jabin” who was the royal ruler “of Canaan” who ruled in “Hazor”.

The verse goes on to say, “the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.” The writer continued with the words, “the captain” which means “the prince, ruler, leader, chieftain, official or general” “of whose host” or “pertaining Jabin’s organized army” “was Sisera” with means “existed as Sisera whose name means ‘battle array’ and was the conquering general under king Jabin of Hazor and slain by Jael”, “which dwelt in Harosheth” or “who lived, abided and inhabited Harosheth whose name means ‘woodland’ and was a city in the north of the land of Canaan on the west coast of the lake Merom” “of the Gentiles” which means “belonging to the non-Hebrew, foreign and pagan people group”. The writer shared how the general of “Jabin’s” army was “Sisera” who lived in “Harosheth” which belonged to the pagan people.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” suffered adverse consequences for their wicked behavior again, and this time Jehovah God gave them to be slaves under the power and authority of “Jabin” who ruled from “Hazor” and was the royal leader of “Canaan”. The general to “Jabin’s” army was “Sisera” who lived in “Harosheth” whose residents were pagan and heathen people. This was not God’s first plan for Israel, but because they forsook Him and His ways, they were set under this bondage. God wants to set us free from the bondage of sin and it’s consequences, and that is why He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raise Him 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 give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so we avoid the slavery and bondage that sin can bring into our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:18, 22)

Next time we learn how Jabin, “had nine hundred chariots of iron”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Does Evil Again - Judges 4:1

In the book of Judges we learned how following Ehud “was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel”, and in chapter four and verse one of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD” where we read,

And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, …” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “again did evil” or “another time performed and produced bad, malignancy, disagreeableness and wickedness” “in the sight of the LORD” which means “in front and within the vision and presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”. The writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” performed wicked acts and deeds yet another time in the presence of Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “… when Ehud was dead.” The writer added the words, “when Ehud” which means “at the time and moment Ehud whose name means ‘I will give thanks or I will be praised’ and was a Benjamite judge of Israel and deliverer of Israel from Moab” “was dead” or “existed as lifeless, without breath and inanimate”. The writer said the people of “Israel” performed wicked acts and deeds at the time “Ehud” had breathed his last breath.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” returned to their wicked ways as soon as their judge, “Ehud”, died. It seems like they were bent toward “evil” as soon as they had no one to monitor them. God knows “there is none righteous, no, not one” (See Romans 3:10), and “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (See Romans 3:23) Our sins have consequences, “the wages of sin is death” (See Romans 6:23a), and yet, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. (See Romans 6:23b) When we receive Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days 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, convict us of our sins and lead us to confess our sins so we may be forgiven and cleansed of all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Shamgar the Son of Anath - Judges 3:31

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years”, and in chapter three and verse thirty-one of Judges, we learn, “after him was Shamgar the son of Anath” where we read,

And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

The verse reads, “And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad:” The writer began with the words, “and after him” which means “and following him, Ehud” “was Shamgar” or “existed Shamgar whose name means ‘sword’ and was a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel” “the son of Anath” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Anath whose name means ‘answer’”, “which slew of the Philistines” or “who hit, beat, struck and killed men belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan” “six hundred men” which means “six hundred male human beings” “with an ox goad” or “by the use of a cattle, beef or bullock prod, spike or rod”. The writer shared how “Shamgar” employed the use of the horn of an “ox” to kill “six hundred” male human beings who were inhabitants of “Philistia”.

The verse goes on to say, “and he also delivered Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “and he also delivered” which means “and he, Shamgar, even so and indeed rescued, saved and set free” “Israel” whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how “Shamgar” even so and indeed rescued and saved the people of “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about another judge who ruled in Israel. Though there is not a lot of information given about him, “Shamgar” rescued “Israel” from the “Philistines” by killing “six hundred” of their men with the horn of an ox. God uses all kinds of means and men to perform His Kingdom work, and the wonder of the “judges” of Israel was the variety which was demonstrated by Him to save and rescue His people. God went to great lengths to save us from the penalty of sins when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to 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 according to that truth as we become involved in God defeating our hating foes to His glory and for His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:33)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Moab Subdued Under Israel - Judges 3:30

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man”, and in chapter three and verse thirty of Judges, we learn how, “Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel” where we read,

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.

The verse reads, “So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel.” The writer began with the words, “so Moab was subdued that day” which means “therefore and on this account Moab whose name means ‘of his father’ and was a son of Lot by his eldest daughter and the nation descended from the son of Lot existed as humbled, brought down, made low and brought into subjection that particular sunrise to sunset” “under the hand of Israel” or “beneath the power, might and authority belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. The writer shared how the people of “Moab” were brought into subjection that particular sunrise to sunset beneath the power and might of “Israel”.

The verse continues, “And the land had rest fourscore years.” The writer added the words, “and the land” which means “and the territory, district and region” “had rest fourscore years” or “possessed quiet, tranquility and peace for the length of eighty annual sets of days”. The writer shared how Israel’s territory possessed tranquillity and peace for eighty “years” after they defeated “Moab”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the offspring belonging to “Israel” brought “Moab” into subjection on that particular sunrise to sunset, and afterward, the territory experienced tranquility and peace for “eighty years”. God did a magnificent work with the people of Israel, and because He loves them, He saved them and provided them with peace. 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 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 give us the ability to overcome our hating foes and enjoy peace and quietness within our souls. (See John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Next time we learn, “after him was Shamgar the son of Anath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…