The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Joshua Calls for All Israel - Joshua 23:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse two of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua called for all Israel”, where we read,

And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:

The verse reads, “And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” and was the "son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan” “called for all Israel” or “uttered a loud cry, invited and summoned each, the whole and everyone within Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and for their elders” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, older and aged men”, “and for their heads” or “and for their, the people of Israel’s, chiefs, chieftains, rulers and leaders”, “and for their judges” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, governors who execute judgment”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” summoned everyone within “Israel” including their “elders, heads and judges”.

The verse continues, “… and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and for their officers” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, overseers, superintendents and magistrates”, “and said unto them” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, all the people and rulers of Israel”, “I am old” which means “I, Joshua, exist as aged and become decrepit” “and stricken in age” which means “and have entered into the fulfillment of life”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” also summoned the overseers and superintendents of Israel and told them that he was aged and had entered into the fulfillment of life.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” summoned the people of “Israel” and their leaders, and he told them he was aged and had entered into the completion period of his life. We shall see more of what he tells them in our next verses, but for now let us realize how “Joshua” understood his position in life. God was with “Joshua” and had led him for many years, now at the close of his life, we shall see how he continued to be faithful to God and His work. God loves people, and when He sent His Only Begotten 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, 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to continue in our faith in Him for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 1 Peter 4:19)

Next time Joshua says, “you have seen all that the LORD your God has done”, 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".

Monday, August 17, 2026

Joshua Old and Stricken in Age - Joshua 23:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD” … and after they responded in an effective manner, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again. And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt. And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse one of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua waxed old and stricken in age”, where we read,

And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred” “a long time after” or “a great while of time following” “that the LORD had given rest” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God granted, bestowed and assigned repose and quiet” “unto Israel” or “to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails” and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “from all their enemies” which means “separate and apart from each, the whole and every one of their, Israel’s, hating foes and enemies” “round about” or “encircling and surrounding them”. Joshua or the writer shared how for quite a while Jehovah God provided quiet and repose on behalf of “Israel” separate and apart from their hating foes.

The verse goes on to say, “… that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “that Joshua” whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was “the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan” “waxed old” or “grew and became older and showed some age” “and stricken in age” which means “and entered into the fulfillment of life”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” grew older and entered into the completion of life.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” was getting old, and during that time Jehovah God provided rest and repose for “Israel” from their hating adversaries. God was in control, and even as we age, He continues to have our best interest in mind. 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 to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him even as we grow older and age in this world. (See John 3:16)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua called for all Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Ed - Joshua 22:34

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD” … and after they responded in an effective manner, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again. And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse thirty-four of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed”, where we read,

And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed:

for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.

The verse reads, “And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Reuben” whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe Reuben” “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 full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe of Gad” “called the altar” which means “proclaimed, appointed and named the sacrificial place” “Ed” or “witness”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring and progeny belonging to “Reuben and Gad” named the sacrificial “altar” “Ed” which means “witness”.

The verse continues, “for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “for it shall be a witness” which means “because, since and on account that it, the altar, will exist as testimony and evidence” “between us” or “among and in the midst of us, the children of Israel and the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh” “that the LORD is God” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God exists as the Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer said the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh declared that the “altar” was to stand as a testimony in the midst of them and the offspring of Israel that Jehovah God is the Supreme Deity.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “Reubenites and Gadites” decided to name the “altar” “Ed” or witness because they agreed that Jehovah God was in the midst of them and Israel. This idea of “witness” should be in all our lives when we surrender to God’s Son Jesus who came 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 trust in, rely upon and cling 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 our lives become a “witness” that God is among us wherever we are in the world. (See Matthew 5:14; John 8:12; 9:5)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “Joshua waxed old and stricken in age”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Pleasing to Israel - Joshua 22:33

And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God,

and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.

The verse reads, “And the thing pleased the children of Israel; and the children of Israel blessed God, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the thing” which means “and the thing, the speech concerning the reason the altar was built by the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh”, “pleased the children of Israel” or “made glad and joyful 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”; “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” “blessed God” or “saluted, honored and adored the Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas’ words” made the offspring of “Israel” to be joyful, and they honored and adored Jehovah God for it.

The verse goes on to say, “… and did not intend to go up against them in battle, to destroy the land wherein the children of Reuben and Gad dwelt.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and did not intend to go up” which means “and in no way or manner say, declare, avow or avouch to ascend, shoot forth or rise in contention” “against them in battle” or “in opposition to them, the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh, in fighting and war”, “to destroy the land” which means “to corrupt, ruin or spoil the district, territory, region or country” “wherein the children of Reuben” or “in which the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe Reuben” “and Gad” whose name means “troop“ and was “the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe of Gad “dwelt” which means “lived, inhabited and abode”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” were so satisfied with the words of “Phinehas” that they did not avow to rise up in battle in opposition to the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh’s territory.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there was peace and tranquility between the “children of Israel” and the tribes of the “Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh”. God was at work even when there were times of contention among the people of “Israel”. God is at work in us, and He wants to be in a personal, intimate relationship with us. This was made possible 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 grave 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 help us live in a manner that blesses and pleases Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Phinehas and the Princes Return - Joshua 22:32

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD” … and they answered among other words, “God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle, and when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD” and in chapter twenty-two and verse thirty-two of Joshua we learn how, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned”, where we read,

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.

The verse reads, “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned from the children of Reuben, and from the children of Gad, out of the land of Gilead, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Phinehas” whose name means “mouth of brass” and was “the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron; his zealousness for the Lord averted a plague on Israel and gained him the promise of the Lord of an everlasting priesthood in his family and a spiritual leader and ruler of Israel”, “the son of Eleazar the priest” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Eleazar whose name means ‘God has helped’ and was the high priest son of Aaron”, “and the princes” which means “and the chiefs, captains and leaders”, “returned from the children of Reuben” or “went back separate and apart from the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe Reuben”, “and from the children of Gad” which means “and separate and apart from the offspring and progeny belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe of Gad”, “out of the land of Gilead” or “from the territory, region and country belonging to Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” and those with him departed from “Gilead" where the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manasseh” were located and went back to their own territory

The verse continues, “… unto the land of Canaan, to the children of Israel, and brought them word again.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “unto the land of Canaan” which means “to the district, region and territory belonging to Canaan whose name means ‘lowland’ and was the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua”, “to the children of Israel” or “toward 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”, “and brought them word again” which means “and carried to them, the children of Israel, speech, utterance and message another time”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” and those with him went back to their location in “Canaan” where the offspring of “Israel” were located and carried a message to them concerning the altar that was built.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how “Phinehas, the ten princes and those with them” were so satisfied with the explanation given by the “Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh” that they went back to their homes in “Canaan” where the offspring of “Israel” were located and told them what they heard. We shall see how they respond in our next verse, but for now, let us consider that this deescalated the situation greatly. God wants there to be peace in our lives, and because His Son Jesus came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, we may have peace with God when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”. (See Romans 5:1) God knows us, loves us and wants to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and to equip us with His Holy Spirit so we can be guided into all truth and given the ability to live according to that truth in a manner that keeps us in peace with Him throughout all eternity. (See Romans 15:33; 2 John 1:3)

Next time we learn how, “the thing pleased the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The LORD is Among Us - Joshua 22:31

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Eleazar’s son Phinehas and ten princes asked the tribe of Reuben, Gad and one-half the tribe of Manasseh, “What trespass is this that you have committed against the God of Israel, to turn away this day from following the LORD” … and they answered among other words, “God forbid that we should rebel against the LORD, and turn this day from following the LORD, to build an altar for burnt offerings, for meat offerings, or for sacrifices, beside the altar of the LORD our God that is before his tabernacle, and when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spoke, it pleased them” and in chapter twenty-two and verse thirty-one of Joshua we learn how Phinehas and those with him said, “this day we perceive that the LORD is among us”, where we read,

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, This day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.

The verse reads, “And Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest said unto the children of Reuben, and to the children of Gad, and to the children of Manasseh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Phinehas” whose name means “mouth of brass” and was “the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron; his zealousness for the Lord averted a plague on Israel and gained him the promise of the Lord of an everlasting priesthood in his family and a spiritual leader and ruler of Israel”, “the son of Eleazar the priest” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Eleazar whose name means ‘God has helped’ and was the high priest son of Aaron” “said unto the children of Reuben” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the offspring and progeny belonging to Reuben whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah and the progenitor of the tribe Reuben” “and to the children of Gad” or “and toward the offspring and progeny belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was the seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe of Gad” “and to the children of Manasseh” which means “and to the offspring and progeny belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” began to speak to the offspring of the Reubenites, Gadites and the one-half tribe of Manasseh.

The verse goes on to say, “… this day we perceive that the LORD is among us, because you have not committed this trespass against the LORD: now you have delivered the children of Israel out of the hand of the LORD.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “this day” which means “this current sunrise to sunset” “we perceive that the LORD is among us” or “we, Phinehas, the ten princes and those with them, that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God exists in the midst and middle of us, Phinehas, his entourage and the people of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh”, “because you have not committed this trespass” which means “since and on account that you, Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh have in no way or manner acted treacherously or unfaithfully” “against the LORD” or “in opposition to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. “Now you have delivered” which means “at this time you, the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, have rescued and saved” “the children of Israel” or “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” “out of the hand of the LORD” which means “from the power, might, strength and authority belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Phinehas” and those with him perceived on that sunrise to sunset that Jehovah God was in their midst since the Reubenites, Gadites and one-half tribe of Manasseh had not acted treacherously in opposition to Jehovah God, and this caused them to be rescued from His power and might.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how there was finally understanding brought to “Phinehas, the ten princes and those with him” concerning the construction of the “altar” by the people of “Reuben, Gad and one-half tribe of Manasseh”. Their charge was so serious that they might be delivered over to the power and might of Jehovah God because of it. Sometimes conclusions concerning motives and intent are misunderstood like this, and explanation is necessary for peace. God wants us to understand that we have sin in our lives that separates us from a personal relationship with Him. Sin also leads to death, (See Romans 6:23) and for this reason He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone. He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to us to guide us into all truth and to help us keep the motives and intents of our hearts and minds in alignment with Him. (See Acts 1:8; Hebrews 4:12)

Next time we learn how, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the princes, returned”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…