The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Give Me a Blessing - Judges 1:15

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?”, and in chapter one and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how “Achsah” answered, “give me a blessing” where we read,

And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for you have given me a south land;

give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

The verse reads, “And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for you have given me a south land;” The writer began with the words, “and she said unto him” which means “and she, Achsah, uttered, declared, proclaimed and responded to him, Caleb”, “give me a blessing” or “grant, bestow and assign to me, Achsah, a gift, prosperity and a present”; “for you have given me” which means “because, since and on account that you, Caleb, have granted, bestowed and assigned to me, Achsah” “a south land” or “a region of souther Judah in the Nekeb”. The writer shared how “Achsah” responded to her father “Caleb’s” question by asking him to provide a gift to her because he had given her a region to her in southern Judah.

The verse goes on to say, “give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.” The writer continued with the words, “give me also” which means “grant, bestow and assign to me, Achsah, even so and indeed”; “springs of water” or “bowls, basins and pommels with water”. “And Caleb” whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture,” “the upper springs” which means “the flowing waters in the higher area” “and the nether springs” or “and the lower flowing waters”. The writer shared how “Achsah” desired basins of flowing waters, and her father “Caleb” provided flowing waters both in the higher and lower regions.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb’s daughter” “Achsah” not only desired cultivated lands, but also wanted flowing waters to care for her family and fields. We see how “Caleb” complied, and this serves as a good example of how Jehovah God cares for us. God gave us His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead so 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 guide us into all truth and to help us acquire all He desires to give us in this world and in Heaven. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn about, “the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law”, 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".

Achsah Asks for a Field - Judges 1:14

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife”, and in chapter one and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how “Achsah” asked, “for a field” where we read,

And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field:

and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field:” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred”, “when she came to him” or “at the time and moment she, Ashsah, approached and entered to where Othneil was located”, “that she moved him” which means “that she, Achsah, allured and enticed him” “to ask of her father” or “to inquire of and request of her, Achsah’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor” “a field” which means “cultivated land, ground and soil”. The writer shared how it occurred that “Achsah” approach her husband “Othniel” and desired that he would appeal to her “father” for a cultivated piece of land.

The verse continues, “and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?” The writer added the words, “and she lighted from off her ass” which means “and she, Achsah, descended and went down to the ground from her, Achsah’s, donkey”; “and Caleb said unto her” or “and Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked her, Achsah”, “what will you” which means “what is it that you, Achsah, desire”? The writer shared how “Achsah” descended to the ground from her donkey, and “Caleb” asked her what she desired.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Achsah” who was “Caleb’s” daughter and “Othniel’s” wife wanted “Othniel” to appeal to her “father” for a cultivated piece of land. There was a process for this request, and out of regard and respect, “Achsah” followed the manner of that day. We shall see how “Caleb” responds in our next verse, but for now let us understand that Jehovah God has a process by which we can be saved from our sins and given everlasting life with Him. 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 surrender 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 lives according to that truth in keeping with His desire to bless us in all our ways. (See John 3:16; 14:6; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how “Achsah” says, “give me a blessing”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Othneil - Judges 1:13

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife”, and in chapter one and verse thirteen of Judges, we learn how “Othniel the son of Kenaz … took it” where we read,

And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it:

and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.

The verse reads, “And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it:” The writer began with the words, “and Othniel” whose name means ‘lion of God’ and was son of Kenaz, younger brother of Caleb, and husband of Achsah the daughter of Caleb and his own niece; first judge of Israel, who after the death of Joshua, delivered the Israelites from the oppression of Chushanrishathaim” “the son of Kenaz” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Kenaz whose name means ‘hunter’ and was a brother of Caleb and father of Othniel”, “Caleb’s younger brother” which means “Caleb’s, whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture, male sibling of lesser age”, “took it” or “and possessed, seized and occupied it, Kirjathsepher”. The writer shared how “Caleb’s” “brother’s son or his nephew “Othniel” seized and occupied “Kirjathsepher”.

The verse goes on to say, “and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife.” The writer continued with the words, “and he gave him” which means “and he, Caleb, granted, bestowed and assigned to him, Othniel” “Achsah his daughter” or “Achsah whose name means ‘ankle chain or anklet’ and was the daughter of Caleb and wife of Caleb's nephew Othniel to whom she was given as a reward for capturing Debir” “to wife” which means “to be his wedded female spouse”. The writer shared how “Caleb” granted his “daughter Achsah” to be married to “Othniel”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Caleb’s nephew “Othniel” seized the opportunity to occupy “Kirjathsepher”, and “Caleb” bestowed his “daughter Achsah” upon him to marry. “Othniel” conquered “Kirjathsepher” and received “Ashsah” as his reward. God wants us to receive His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days so 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 guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth as we enjoy our personal relationship with Him. (See John 3:16, 29)

Next time we learn how Achsah asks, “for a field”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Smiting Kirjathsepher for Caleb’s Daughter - Judges 1:12

In the book of Judges we learned how, “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. And from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher”, and in chapter one and verse twelve of Judges, we learn how “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter” where we read,

And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it,

to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.

The verse reads, “And Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, …” The writer began with the words, “and Caleb said” which means “and Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “he that smites Kirjathsepher” or “he, the person, who strikes, hits, beats and kills Kirjathsepher whose name means ‘city of the book’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah to the west of Hebron”, “and takes it” which means “and captures, seizes and occupies it, Kirjathsepher” will have the following. The writer shared how “Caleb” proclaimed that whatever person strikes and seizes “Kirjathsepher” will receive the following.

The verse continues, “… to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife.” The writer added the words, “to him” which means “to him, the person who strikes and seizes Kirjathsepher” “will I give Achash my daughter” or “shall I, Caleb, grant, bestow and assign Ashash whose name means ‘ankle chain or anklet’ my, Caleb’s, female offspring and progeny” “to wife” which means “to be married to him”. The writer shared how “Caleb” said he would grant his female offspring “Achash” to be married to the man who strikes and occupies “Kirjathsepher”.

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb” made an offer to the men in the tribe of “Judah”. He told them whoever among them conquers the area of “Kirjathsepher” would be allowed to marry his “daughter Achsah”. We can only imagine how this news traveled, and we shall see who the person was in our next verse. For now let us be mindful that this sacrifice from “Caleb” and his “daughter” were commendable and serve as reminders of how Jehovah God offered His Son Jesus to the world by dying on the cross for the sins of all mankind and being 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us realize the great sacrifice He has made for us so we might live as His bride forever. (See John 3:16, 29; Revelation 18:23; 21:2,9; 22:17)

Next time we learn how, “Othniel the son of Kenaz … took it”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Against Debir - Judges 1:11

In the book of Judges we learned how, “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”, and in chapter one and verse eleven of Judges, we learn how “from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir” where we read,

And from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir:

and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:

The verse reads, “And from there he went against the inhabitants of Debir:” The writer began with the words, “and from there” which means “and separate and apart from there, Kirjatharba” “he went against the inhabitants of Debir” or “he, Judah, opposed the dwellers and abiders belonging to Debir whose name means ‘sanctuary’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah west of Hebron and given to the priests and a city of refuge”. The writer shared how the tribe of Judah opposed the people who lived in “Debir”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher:” The writer continued with the words, “and the name of Debir before” which means “and the reputation, fame and glory belonging to Debir whose name means ‘sanctuary’ prior to and in advance of this time” “was Kirjathsepher” or “existed as Kirjathsepher or Kirjath-sannah whose name means ‘city of the book’ and was a town in the mountains of Judah to the west of Hebron ”. The writer shared how “Debir” was formally called “Kirjathsepher”. (See Joshua 10:38-39; 15:15)

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the tribe of “Judah” next rose up in battle in opposition to the people who lived in “Debir”. “Debir” was formally known as “Kirjathsepher”, and this became another territory which was occupied by the people of “Judah”. God gave the “tribe of Judah” their inheritance within the promise land, and one by one the territories designated by God were being distributed to them. God loves to care for His people, and He demonstrated His care for us 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 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 Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to equip us to obtain all that He desires for us in this world. (See John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, August 29, 2026

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…

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…