In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph. And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west”, and in chapter eleven and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jabin also sent to, “the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite” where we read,
And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.
The verse reads, “And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and to the Canaanite” which means “and toward the Canaanite whose name means zealous and were merchants or traders from Cana” “on the east” or “who were located in the eastern direction” “and on the west” which means “pertaining to the people located in the western direction”, “and to the Amorite” or “and toward the Amorite whose name means ‘sayer’ and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “and the Hittite” which means “and toward the Hittite whose name means ‘descendant of Heth’ which was the nation descended from Heth, the second son of Canaan; once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey), later in north Lebanon”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jabin” also reached out to the “Canaanite” who was in the eastern and western direction and toward the “Amorite” and “Hittite”.
The verse goes on to say, “… and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the Perizzite” which means “and toward the Perizzite whose name means ‘belonging to a village” and was a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest, “and the Jebusite” or “and toward the Jebusite whose name means ‘the descendants of Jebus’ and was descendants of the third son of Canaan who lived in or around the site of Jebus, the early name for Jerusalem” “in the mountains” which means “within the risings above the plain or hills”, “and to the Hivite” or “and the Hivite whose name means ‘villagers’ and was the sixth generation of descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who were living in northern Canaan near Mount Hermon at the time of the conquest” “under Hermon” which means “beneath Hermon whose name means ‘a sanctuary’ and was a mountain on the northeastern border of Palestine and Lebanon and overlooking the border city of Dan” “in the land of Mizpeh” or “within the territory, region, district and country belonging to Mizpeh”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jabin” also contacted “the Perizzite, Jebusite and Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh” people groups also located within the land of Canaan.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how all of these people were being assembled to fight against Israel, and little did they know, God was gathering them together to defeat them all at one time. We shall see God work in our next few verses, but for now let us consider Jehovah God’s involvement in the lives of the people of Israel. Not only did He provide for them, but He also protected them against all enemies and foes regardless of how many were brought together. In a similar manner, God wants to be our provision and protection, and when we believe and trust in 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 give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and give us His assurance that even though “enemies” are gathered together to defeat us, He will provide for and protect us according to His perfect will and plan.
Next time we learn how these kings, “went out, they and all their hosts with them”, 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".
