The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

The Nations Left - Judges 3:1

In the book of Judges we learned how Israel forsook Jehovah God, and “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice. I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died. That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not. Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua”, and in chapter three and verse one of Judges, we begin to learn, “these are the nations which the LORD left” where we read,

Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them,

even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;

The verse reads, “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, …” The writer began with the words, “now these are the nations” which means “now the following exist as the foreign, pagan and heathen people groups: “which the LORD left” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name to the One True God, allowed to remain, stay and continue”, “to prove Israel by them” which means “to test, try and assay Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob, through the means of them, the pagan people groups”. The writer shared how the following is a list of the pagan people groups that were allowed to remain among the people of Israel to test and try them.

The verse goes on to say, “… even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;” The writer continued with the words, “even as many of Israel” which means “also and indeed because a great number of the people who belonged to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “as had not known” or “who did not in any manner perceive, understand, discern, distinguish and distinguish” “all the wars of Canaan” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the battles and fighting belonging to Canaan whose name means ‘zealous or lowland’ and was the fourth son of Ham and the progenitor of the Phoenicians and of the various nations who peopled the seacoast of Palestine”. The writer referred to the number of the people of “Israel” who were unaware of the numerous battles which were fought in opposition to the people of Canaan.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn why Jehovah God allowed the pagan people groups to remain living among the people of Israel. God was to use them to “test” the people of Israel as to whether they would be faithful to Him and His ways or not. The current generation of the people of Israel did not experience the battles and fighting against the people of “Cana”, and therefore they were not as opposed to them like those in previous ages. God knew this, and because He knows all people tend to be unaware of the acts and deeds of previous generations, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and make us aware of past and current generational battles that have a direct affect upon His people. (See John 3:16; Ecclesiastes 1:4; Daniel 4:3)

Next time we learn that this was done, “that the generations of the children of Israel might know”, 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".

The LORD Left Those Nations - Judges 2:23

In the book of Judges we learned how Israel forsook Jehovah God, and “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice. I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died. That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three of Judges, we learn how, ““the LORD left those nations” where we read,

Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily;

neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.

The verse reads, “Therefore the LORD left those nations, without driving them out hastily;” The writer began with the words, “therefore the LORD” which means “wherefore, then and on this account Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “left those nations” or “departed from, let lie and allowed to remain the pagan, heathen and Gentile people groups”, “without driving them out” which means “while not in any way or manner seizing, dispossessing or disinheriting them, the pagan people groups” “hastily” or “speedily, swiftly or quickly”. The writer shared how Jehovah God allowed the pagan people groups to remain and did not dispossess them in a speedy fashion.

The verse continues, “neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.” The writer added the words, “neither delivered he them” which means “no and not in any way did he, Jehovah God, give, bestow, grant or consecrate the pagan nations” “into the hand of Joshua” or “in the power, might, strength and authority belonging to Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel who led the conquest of Canaan”. The writer shared how Jehovah God did not give the foreign people groups over to the power and might of “Joshua”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God allowed the pagan nations to remain among the people of Israel, and unlike before, the did not expel them in a speedy fashion nor give them over to “Joshua” to seize. God wants a personal, intimate and exclusive relationship with all of us, and this is obtained 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 as our “Savior and Lord”. When we surrender 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 “drive out” all sin from our lives as we take heed to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8)

Next time we begin a new chapter and begin to learn, “these are the nations which the LORD left”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

That God May Prove Israel - Judges 2:22

That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.

The verse reads, “That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, …” The writer began with the words, “that through them” which means “that by means of them, the pagan nations” “I may prove Israel” or “I, Jehovah God, might test, assay and try”, “whether they will keep the way” which means “in case they, the people of Israel, shall guard, give heed to and observe the journey, manner, path and direction” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “to walk therein” which means “to proceed, depart and prosper within Jehovah God’s direction”. The writer shared how Jehovah God said he allowed the pagan nations to remain to test whether the people of Israel would observe His direction for living.

The verse goes on to say, “… as their fathers did keep it, or not.” The writer continued with the words, “as their fathers did keep it” which means “similar and in likeness to the way their, the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors guarded, gave heed to and observed Jehovah God’s way”, “or not” or “or do not guard, give heed to and observe the journey, manner, path and direction of Jehovah God”. The writer shared how Jehovah God would determine whether or not the people of Israel would observe His way like their forefathers.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover why Jehovah God allowed the pagan nations to remain within the promise land. These nations were to test the people of Israel, and their response to them would show whether they would be faithful to Jehovah God or to the foreign deities. God knew, but He left these “sinful” people groups to allow the people of Israel to know. God loves us, and His desire is to remove all areas of sin from our lives. When we receive His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross and rose from the dead after three days as our personal “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 cleanse us from all unrighteousness that is directly opposed to Him and His ways. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 John 1:7,9)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD left those nations”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Not Driving Out Nations Joshua Left - Judges 2:21

In the book of Judges we learned about Israel, “when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of Judges, we learn how the angel said he, “will not drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left” where we read,

I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations

which Joshua left when he died:

The verse reads, “I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations …” The writer began with the words, “I also will not henceforth” which means “I, Jehovah God, even so and indeed shall not from this time forward” “drive out any” or “seize, dispossess, disinherit or occupy not a single one” “from before them” which means “separate and apart from the front and presence of them, the people of Israel” “of the nations” or “belonging to the non-Hebrew, heathen and Gentile people groups”. The writer shared how Jehovah God said he would not from that time on expel or disinherit a single one of the heathen people groups in the presence of the people of Israel.

The verse continues, “… which Joshua left when he died:” The writer added the words, “which Joshua left” which means “that Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel who led the conquest of Canaan, departed from, let alone and deserted” “when he died” or “at the time and moment he, Joshua, breathed his last, became inanimate and expired”. The writer shared how Jehovah God referred to the territory that remained unoccupied by Israel after “Joshua” breathed his last breath.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God responded to the people of Israel forsaking Him and pursuing other gods. No longer would Jehovah God expel the pagan and heathen people within the promise land even though there were promised regions that remained unoccupied by Israel. We remember that Jehovah God defeated the enemies that were in the promise land, and at this time He was retreating from His mission. God wants the best for all of us, and 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, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to remain close to Him so He never abandons His mission to clear the way before us. (See John 3:16; Isaiah 52:12; Matthew 26:23; Mark 14:28)

Next time we see how the angel, Jehovah God, says, “through them I may prove Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The LORD’s Anger Hot Again - Judges 2:20

In the book of Judges we learned about Israel, “when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them. And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of Judges, we learn how, “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel” where we read,

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;

The verse reads, “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, …” The writer began with the words, “and the anger” which means “and the nostril, nose and countenance wrinkling wrath” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God”, “was hot against Israel” which means “existed as kindled, burning and furious in opposition to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and he said” or “and he, Jehovah God, uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. The writer shared how Jehovah God was furious in opposition to Israel, and He told them the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “… because that this people has transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;” The writer continued with the words, “because that this people have transgressed my covenant” which means “since and on account that these human beings both male and female have passed over, done away with and alienated my, Jehovah God’s, alliance, treaty, pledge and agreement” “which I commanded their fathers” or “that I, Jehovah God, charged and ordered their, the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors”, “and have not hearkened” which means “and have in no way or manner listened, perceived, understood, obeyed or taken heed”: “unto my voice” or “to my, Jehovah God’s, noise and sound of uttered words”. The writer shared how Jehovah God was furiously “angry” with the people of Israel on account that they abandoned His alliance with them and did not listen to or take heed to His words.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God responded with furious wrath which wrinkles the countenance because the people of Israel forsook His agreement with them, and they did not listen or take heed to what He said. God knows what is best for the lives of people, and when we surrender 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we hear and obey Him all the days of our lives. (See 3:16; Isaiah 55:6)

Next time we see how the angel, Jehovah God, says he will, “drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, September 7, 2026

Returning to Corruption - Judges 2:19

And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, …” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred” ,“when the judge was dead” or “at the time and moment the governor, vindicator, punisher and defender expired and existed without breath, inanimate and lifeless”, “that they returned” which means “that they, the people of Israel, went back, apostatized and reversed”, “and corrupted themselves” or “and destroyed, ruined, spoiled and injured their own selves” “more than their fathers” which means “to a greater degree compared to their, the people of Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors”. The writer shared at the time and moment Jehovah God’s “judge” died, the people of Israel went back to the ways that ruined and destroyed them to a greater degree compared to their forefathers.

The verse continues, “… in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.” The writer added the words, “in following other gods” which means “in walking, departing, proceeding and moving toward alternate deities” “to serve them” or “to worship, labor and work for them, the pagan deities”, “and to bow down unto them” which means “and to crouch, stoop and prostrate themselves to them, the pagan deities”: “they ceased not from their own doings” or “they, the people of Israel, did not stop, go away from or desert their, the people of Israel’s, own personal acts and deeds”, “nor from their stubborn way” which means “no and not in any manner separate and apart from their, the people of Israel’s, hard, cruel, severe, obstinate and vehement paths, journeys, directions, habits and moral character”. The writer shared how the people of Israel did not stop moving toward alternate deities to worship, labor and prostrate themselves to them, and they in no way stopped from their wicked and obstinate manner of living.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel went back to their sinful and wicked ways after Jehovah God’s “judge” died, and they injured and ruined their own selves to a greater degree than their forefathers. They continued to serve alternate deities as they prostrated themselves to them and committed their wicked acts and deeds. They were obstinate, and would not change from their pernicious way of living. We can only imagine how God responded to this. God wants us to align with His way which is through believing and trusting 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 receive 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 give us the power to remain in our relationship with Him while we never forsake Him for alternate deities in this world. (See Matthew 28:20; John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we see how, “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jehovah the Delivering Judge - Judges 2:18

In the book of Judges we learned how the people of Israel fell into distress after they forsook their relationship with Jehovah God, however “the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn, “when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them”, where we read,

And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

The verse reads, “And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, …” The writer began with the words, “and when the LORD” which means “and at the time and moment Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “raised them up judges” or “confirmed and established them, the people of Israel, governors, vindicators, punishers and defenders”, “then the LORD” which means “at that time Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was with the judge” or “existed alongside and accompanied the governor, vindicator, punisher and defender”. The writer shared at the time and moment Jehovah God established the governors and defenders over Israel, He accompanied the governor and defender as well.

The verse goes on to say, “… and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge:” The writer continued with the words, “and delivered them” which means “and rescued, saved and set them, the people of Israel, free” “out of the hand of their enemies” or “from the power, might and authority belonging to their, hating foes and adversaries” “all the days of the judge” which means “each, the whole and everyone of the sunrises to sunset belonging to the governor, vindicator, punisher and defender”. The writer shared how Jehovah God rescued the people of Israel from the power and might of their hating foes and adversaries during every one of the sunrises and sunsets belonging to the governors, vindicators, punishers and defenders.

Finally the verse says, “for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.” The writer added the words, “for it repented the LORD” or “because, since and on account that it, the following, sorrowed, grieved and caused Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God, to have pity” “because of their groanings” which means “since and on account of their, the people of Israel’s, sorrow, regret and grief” “by reason of them that oppressed them” or “because of the presence, cause and face belonging to the people who squeezed, pressed, crushed and afflicted them, the people of Israel” “and vexed them” which means “and thrusted, oppressed and drove away them, the people of Israel”. The writer ended this verse by sharing how the sorrow and grief of the people of Israel on account of their hating foes caused Jehovah God to be moved to pity on their behalf.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God established and accompanied the “judges” that He sent to Israel, however, the people of Israel committed spiritual adultery and went after other gods. God rescued the people of Israel because He was moved to pity over the sorrow they experienced by their hating foes’ vexation and grief. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. He does not want us to suffer for our insolence, but when we do not listen to and obey Him, the consequences are mostly horrific. For this reason, 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. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “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 give us the power to live in obedience to Him all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn, “when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…