The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, June 26, 2026

Joshua Gave Caleb Hebron - Joshua 14:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Caleb said, “Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance, and your children's for ever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said”, and in chapter fourteen and verse thirteen of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron” where we read,

And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.

The verse reads, “and Joshua blessed him, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “blessed him” or “praised, saluted and congratulated him, Caleb”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” praised and saluted “Caleb”.

The verse continues, “… and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and gave unto Caleb” which means “and granted, bestowed and assigned to 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 son of Jephunneh” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Jephunneh whose name means ‘he will be facing’ and was a Kenezite and father of Caleb the spy from the tribe of Judah” “Hebron” which 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” “for an inheritance” or “on behalf of a possession, property, heritage, share and portion”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” granted “Caleb” the city of “Hebron” as a possession and portion.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” not only praised and saluted “Caleb”, but he also granted him “Hebron” as a portion and possession. Jehovah God gave this location to “Caleb” through “Joshua”, and because He always keeps His word, He will also forgive the sins and grant eternal life to every person who yields 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 has promised us eternal life with Him, and those who are wise will submit to Jesus and receive forgiveness of sin and the ability to live with Him forever. (See John 3:16)

Next time we learn how, “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh”, 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".

Give Me This Mountain - Joshua 14:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Caleb said, “Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance, and your children's for ever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in”, and in chapter fourteen and verse twelve of Joshua we learn how Caleb said, “therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spoke in that day” where we read,

Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

The verse reads, “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spoke in that day;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “now therefore give me this mountain” which means “at this time wherefore, then and on this account, grant, bestow and assign to me, Caleb, this particular rising above the plain or range of mountains”, “whereof the LORD spoke” or “in which Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God uttered, declared and proclaimed” “in that day” which means “within that particular time period”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” requested that “Joshua” grant to him the “mountain” that was promised to him by Jehovah God.

The verse goes on to say, “for you heard in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “for you heard in that day” which means “because, since and on account that you, Joshua, have been given the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding within that particular time period”, “how the Anakims were there” or “that the Anakims whose name means ‘long-necked’ and were a tribe of giants, descendants of Anak, which dwelled in southern Canaan, existed within the mountain”, “and that the cities” which means “and that the dwelling places and towns” “were great and fenced” or “existed as large, intense, massive, enclosed, fortified and inaccessible”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” told “Joshua” that he understood within that time period that the “Anakims” who were giants existed within the mountain and they had massive and fortified dwelling places in which to live.

Finally the verse says, “ if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “if so be the LORD” or “whether and in case that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “will be with me” which means “shall accompany and exist alongside me, Caleb”, “then I shall be able to drive them out” or “at that time I, Caleb, will have the ability to seize, dispossess, disinherit and impoverish them, the Anakims”, “as the LORD said” which means “in likeness to the manner that Jehovah who is the existing One and is the name of the One True God, uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Joshua or the writer ended this verse by sharing how “Caleb” told Joshua if Jehovah God accompanied him, he would be able to dispossess and impoverish the “Anakims” like Jehovah God declared.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb” told “Joshua” to bestow upon him the “mountain” that Jehovah God promised him, because he knew “Joshua” was aware of the “Anakim giants” who lived in massive and fortified dwelling places there. “Caleb” also told “Joshua” if Jehovah God would accompany him, he would dispossess the “Anakims” like God told him he would. “Caleb” knew God would keep His promise, and although He uses people to fulfill His will at times, what God desires shall be done. This same Almighty 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 three days later, 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 give us the ability to take possession of all He desires for our lives.

Next time we learn how, “Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Strong as I Was - Joshua 14:11

As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me:

as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

The verse reads, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “as yet I am as strong this day” which means “and still at this point I, Caleb, remain sharp, mighty and bold” “as I was” or “similar and in likeness to the way I, Caleb, existed” “in the day that Moses” which means “within the time period that Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “sent me” or “dispatched and assigned me, Caleb”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” said he was as mighty and bold as he previously was at the time “Moses” dispatched him to be a spy in the promise land.

The verse continues, “as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “as my strength was then” which means “similar and in likeness to the way my, Caleb’s, power, might and ability existed at that time and moment”, “even so is my strength now” or “also and indeed exists my, Caleb’s, power, might and ability at the present time”, “for war” which means “in support and favor of battle and fighting”, “both to go out” or “with the ability to exit, depart and proceed forward”, “and to come in” which means “and to besiege, befall, carry and attain”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” told Joshua that his power and might had not diminished during the “forty-five” years since he was originally dispatched by “Moses” to the promise land, and he remained powerful and mighty for battle and fighting as well as proceeding forward and besieging territories.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Caleb” continued to bring convincing words to “Joshua” concerning his ability to receive the inheritance that was promised to him. He acknowledged that “forty-five” years had passed, but even at “eighty-five” years old, he was as powerful, mighty, strong and bold as he was before to go to battle and to siege his inheritance. God gave “Caleb” these gifts, and when God is involved, age does not have to matter. God wants us to have the “spirit of Caleb”, and when we receive His Son Jesus who came into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so that we too will be strong and mighty in the Lord even into our aging years. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:18; Ephesians 6:10)

Next time we learn how Caleb says, “therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spoke in that day”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The LORD Kept Caleb Alive - Joshua 14:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Caleb said, “Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance, and your children's for ever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God”, and in chapter fourteen and verse ten of Joshua we learn how Caleb said, “the LORD has kept me alive” where we read,

And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

The verse reads, “And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spoke this word unto Moses, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and now, behold” which means “and at this time, lo, look and consider”, “the LORD” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has kept me alive” which means “allowed and permitted me, Caleb, to remain living and breathing”, “as he said” or “as he, Jehovah God, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “these forty and five years” which means “during the forty five annual sets of days”, “even since the LORD” or “from the time Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “spoke this word” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed the utterance and declaration” “unto Moses” or “to Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” told “Joshua” that Jehovah God sustained his life for forty-five more years like He declared to “Moses”.

The verse goes on to say, “… while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “while the children of Israel” which means “during the time 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” “wandered in the wilderness” or “walked, proceeded and traversed within the uninhabited land or open desert”: “and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old” which means “and at this time, behold, look and consider, I, Caleb, am eighty-five years old”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” said Jehovah God allowed him to remain alive during the time the people of “Israel” walked within the open desert, and at that time “Caleb” was “eighty-five” years old.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb” continued to make his appeal to “Joshua” concerning the extension of life, forty-five years, that Jehovah God gave him since the time he was dispatched to spy out the promise land. During that time the people of Israel were walking and traversing through the desert until they reached the promise land. “Caleb” was now “eighty-five” years old, and we shall learn of his request of “Joshua” in our next verses. For now let us consider the ambition and memory of “Caleb” who knew what he was promised with the implication that he desired to receive it. God wants us to receive from Him, and when we yield our lives 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 provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we will be in expectation of what He has promised and desires to give us.

Next time we learn how Caleb says, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Land Shall Be Your Inheritance - Joshua 14:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, you know the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and you in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God”, and in chapter fourteen and verse nine of Joshua we learn how Caleb said, “Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance” where we read,

And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance, and your children's for ever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.

The verse reads, “And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon your feet have trodden shall be your inheritance, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Moses” whose name means “drawn out” and was “the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “swore on that day” or “adjured and took an oath at that time or upon that particular sunrise to sunset”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “surely the land” or “whether, when and doubtless the territory, region, district and country” “whereon your feet have trodden” which means “in which your, Caleb’s, physical feet have tread, bent and walked upon” “shall be your inheritance” or “will exist as your, Caleb’s, possession, property, heritage, share and portion”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” told “Joshua” that “Moses” took an oath on the day that he returned to him with good news about the promise land that the territory that he tread upon would exist as his heritage and property.

The verse continues, “and your children's for ever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and your children’s” which means “and your, Caleb’s, offspring and progeny’s” “for ever” or “for long duration, futurity, everlasting, perpetually and evermore”, “because you have wholly followed” which means “since and on account that you, Caleb, have completely and fully come behind and walked after” “the LORD my God” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God, my, Moses’, Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” referred to the way “Moses made an oath that the property that he would possess would be his progeny’s perpetually since he completely walked after Jehovah God.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Caleb” continued to make his appeal to “Joshua” concerning the oath of Moses that he would receive the property he tread upon in the promise land. “Caleb” will make a further request to “Joshua” in our next verses, but for now, let us be mindful of the fact that “Caleb” knew the promise made to him. We have a promise from Jehovah God that we shall receive forgiveness of our sins, eternal life with Him and His Holy Spirit when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave after three days. God has promised; God will fulfill His words, and we shall live with Him forever as we trust in, rely upon and cling to His Son Jesus who is the “Savior of the World”. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Colossians 1:12)

Next time we learn how Caleb says, “the LORD has kept me alive”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Making the Hearts Melt - Joshua 14:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, you know the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and you in Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart”, and in chapter fourteen and verse eight of Joshua we learn how Caleb said, “my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt” where we read,

Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt:

but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

The verse reads, “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “nevertheless my brethren” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover my, Caleb’s, fellow Israelites” “that went up with me” or “who arose and ascended alongside me, Caleb” “made the heart of the people” which means “caused the soul and mind belonging to the human beings to” “melt” or “dissolve, vanish and be consumed and intimidated”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” said the fellow Israelite spies who went to spy on the “promise land” cause the souls and minds of the people of “Israel” to be fearful and intimidated. (See Numbers 13-14)

The verse goes on to say, “but I wholly followed the LORD my God.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “but I wholly followed” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Caleb, abundantly, completely and fully came behind and walked after” “the LORD my God” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God, my, Caleb’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Caleb” said he completely walked after Jehovah God the Supreme Deity.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Caleb” continued to speak with “Joshua” about “Moses” sending him into the “promise land” to spy out the territory within it. He came back to “Moses” along with “Joshua” with a good report, however, the other ten spies returned with an evil report. (See Numbers 13:32; 14:37) Those “ten spies” intimidated the people of “Israel” and made them afraid, however, “Caleb” walked in the ways of Jehovah God. God wants us to “follow Him”, and when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who was crucified 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and “follows” Him in whatever He instructs us to do.

Next time we learn how Caleb says, “Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…