The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, May 2, 2026

The LORD Spoke to Joshua - Joshua 4:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “about forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life”, and in chapter four and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua” where we read,

And the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying,

The verse reads, “And the LORD spoke …” Joshua or 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” “spoke” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Joshua or the writer began to share how Jehovah God made another declaration to the following.

The verse continues, “… unto Joshua, saying,” Joshua added the words, “unto Joshua” or “to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the words in our next verse. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God’s words were directed toward “Joshua” himself.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God made declarations to “Joshua” once again. We shall see what those words were in our next verse, but for now let us consider that God wanted this intimate and personal relationship with Joshua. God wants a personal relationship with us as well, and when we yield to His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us always be attentive and aware when He desires to speak with us.

Next time we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “Command the priests that … they come up out of Jordan”, 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".

Joshua Magnified - Joshua 4:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “about forty thousand” men from the tribes of, “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, “prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho”, and in chapter four and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “on that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel” where we read,

On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel;

and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

The verse reads, “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “on that day” which means “upon that particular day when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river” “the LORD magnified Joshua” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God promoted and made powerful and great Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “in the sight” which means “within the face and vision” “of all Israel” or “pertaining to each, the whole and everyone of the people of Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer said upon the particular sunrise to sunset when the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river along with the “forty thousand” men from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, God made “Joshua” powerful and great within the vision of the people of “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.” Joshua continued with the words, “and they feared him” or “and they, the people of Israel, were in awe of, reverenced and honored him, Joshua”, “as they feared Moses” which means “similar and in likeness to they ways they were in awe of, reverenced and honored Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “all the days” or “each, every and the whole of the sunrises to sunsets” “of his life” which means “belonging to his, Moses’, active and flowing living”. Joshua or the writer said the people of Israel revered and were in awe of Joshua similar to the way they revered Moses for everyone of the sunrises to sunsets that he was alive.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” was elevated in the sight of all the people of Israel after they crossed the Jordan river and saw the forty thousand warriors from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” dressed and ready for battle. God wants us to take note of His leaders, and when He puts His Divine hand upon them, we are to align with them as they follow in line with His will. God loves us, and He proved His desire to have a personal relationship with us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit so we will recognize His leaders and keep them in our prayers as they and we seek to fulfill God’s will.

Next time we learn how, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Forty Thousand Prepared for War - Joshua 4:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke unto them”, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle” where we read,

About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle,

to the plains of Jericho.

The verse reads, “About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “about forty thousand” which means “approximately forty thousand warriors from Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”“prepared for war” or “who were ready and armed for battle and fighting” “passed over” which means “crossed the Jordan river” “before the LORD” or “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “unto battle” which means “to fighting and war”. Joshua or the writer said there were about “forty thousand” men who were armed for fighting and war in the presence of Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “… to the plains of Jericho.” Joshua added the words, “to the plains” or “toward the desert steppe or wilderness” “of Jericho” which means “belonging to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer said the “forty thousand” men in battle array from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” moved toward the desert wilderness belonging to “Jericho”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there were around “forty thousand” warriors who were dressed for battle who were from the tribes of “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, and these men crossed the Jordan in the presence of Jehovah God. We can imagine the pomp that was there as these military men made their way to the promise land. They were to fulfill their obligation to help their fellow Israelites in conquering their territories, and because they keep their word, they were ready for battle. God wants us to be this way because He too went to battle on our behalf 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 submit our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and lead us into spiritual battles where we too shall be conquerors over our enemies. (See Romans 8:37)

Next time we discover, “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Children of Reuben, Gad and Half of Manasseh - Joshua 4:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, (the Jordan river) that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people”, and in chapter four and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, we see what happened with, “the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh” where we read,

And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh,

passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke unto them:

The verse reads, “And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Reuben” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah”, “and the children of Gad” or “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid and the full brother of Asher.”, “and half the tribe of Manasseh” which means “and one half of the clan belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua began to share what happed with the offspring of “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”.

The verse goes on to say, “… passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke unto them:” Joshua continued with the words, “passed over armed” or “crossed the river Jordan in battle array” “before the children of Israel” which means “in front and in the presence of 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”, “as Moses spoke unto them” or “even and indeed like Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the Exodus, uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the children of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” crossed the Jordan river clad in the battle array just the way “Moses” had instructed them before he died.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how it was time for the men of war from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” to fulfill their obligation to fight with the remainder of the “tribes” of Israel as they entered the promise land. They crossed the Jordan river ready for battle, and they did so in the presence of all the other children of Israel. God wants us to keep our commitments to Him and others, and because He loves us, 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 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and prepare us for spiritual battle according to His perfect plan and will. (See Ephesians 6:12)

Next time we learn how, “forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

When All the People Passed Over - Joshua 4:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day. For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over”, and in chapter four and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, we see what happened, “when all the people were clean passed over” where we read,

And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over,

that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred”, “when all the people” or “at the time and moment each, the whole and every one of the human beings from Israel” “were clean passed over” which means “had completely crossed the river Jordan”. Joshua or the writer began to share what happened after every one of the children of Israel crossed the Jordan river.

The verse continues, “… that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people.” Joshua added the words, “that the ark” or “that the box or chest” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah whose name means ‘the existing One” and is the proper name for the One True God” “passed over” or “crossed the river Jordan”, “and the priests” which means “and the spiritual leaders, rulers and officials”, “in the presence of the people” which means “in front and before the faces belonging to the human beings or children of Israel. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God’s “ark of the covenant” crossed the Jordan river along with the spiritual leaders before the faces of the children of Israel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “ark of the covenant” and the spiritual leaders followed the children of Israel across the river Jordan after they all had crossed. The “priests” who were bearing the “ark” proceeded with their work in front of all the people of Israel, and because this was indeed a miracle of God, the people needed to be aware that God was among them. God worked on behalf of the people of Israel, and He will work on our behalf as well. When we receive His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and was resurrected from the dead after three day, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us in all our ways and to make His mighty work known to all who will observe.

Next time we see what happened with, “the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Priests Standing in the Middle of Jordan - Joshua 4:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day”, and in chapter four and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we see how, “the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan” where we read,

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

The verse reads, “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for the priests” which means “because, since and on account that the spiritual leaders, chiefs and official” “which bare the ark” or “who lifted up and carried the box or chest” “stood in the midst of Jordan” which means “remained standing within the middle of the Jordan whose name means descender and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”, “until every thing was finished” or “till such time as each, the whole and all acts and deeds were completed” “that the LORD commanded Joshua” which means “that Jehovah whose name means ‘the existing One’ and is the proper name for the One True God, charged and ordered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “to speak unto the people” or “to utter, declare and proclaim unto the human beings belonging to Israel”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the spiritual leaders remained standing within the middle of the “Jordan” river till such time and all that Jehovah God ordered “Joshua” to declared to the people was completed.

The verse goes on to say, “… according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.” Joshua continued with the words, “according to all” or “in keeping with each, every and the whole” “that Moses commanded Joshua” which means “that Moses, whose name means drawn and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus, charged and ordered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”: “and the people” or “and the human beings belonging to Israel” “hasted and passed over” which means “were impetuous and quickly and hurriedly crossed the river Jordan”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel everything that “Moses” charged him to tell, and the people of Israel quickly crossed over the river “Jordan”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua not only obeyed the orders of Jehovah God, but those orders were in keeping with the charge given to him by “Moses”. The spiritual leaders were to remain standing within the middle of the “Jordan” river till such time that every act and deed was accomplished in keeping with what “Moses” and Jehovah God told “Joshua”, and they did. The people not only “crossed” the river, but they did so in a hurried manner. God’s will was being fulfilled, and the people of Israel were entering the promise land. God wants us to enter His promise land - Heaven, and He made the way to enter Heaven 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 lead, guide and empower us to live according to His truth and in a manner that is pleasing to Him as we journey toward Heaven to be with Him forever.

Next time we see what happened, “when all the people were clean passed over”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Joshua Set Up Twelve Stones - Joshua 4:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spoke unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there”, and in chapter four and verse nine of the book of Joshua, we see how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan” where we read,

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

The verse reads, “And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “set up twelve stones” or “erected and established twelve large rocks” “in the midst of Jordan” which means “in the middle of the Jordan whose name means descender and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”, “in the place” or “within the location” “where the feet of the priests” which means “in which the physical feet belonging to the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “which bare the ark of the covenant stood” or “who lifted up and carried the box or chest belonging to the alliance, pledge, treaty and agreement, were standing and remained in place”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” established “twelve large rocks” in the middle of the “Jordan” river at the location where the spiritual leaders were standing with the “ark of the covenant”.

The verse continues, “… and they are there unto this day.” Joshua added the words, “and they are there” or “and they, the twelve large rocks, exist within that location” “unto this day” which means “to the very sunrise to sunset of this writing”. Joshua or the writer declared that the “twelve stones” established by “Joshua” in the middle of the “Jordan” river remain in that location to the very day of this writing.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” established “twelve stones” in the middle of the “Jordan” river in the place that the spiritual leaders were standing with the “ark of the covenant” as the children of Israel crossed over to the other side. These stones remained in place to the very day of this writing. Once again these were reminders of the work God did on behalf of the people of Israel. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He knew we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23) and the “wages” for those sin is death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for all who put their faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and constantly remind us of God’s love and commitment to us which was demonstrated by Jesus’s death on the cross. (See John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Next time we see how, “the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…