Good Things the LORD has Promised - Joshua 23:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof.”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, Joshua shared about, “good things that are come upon you”, where we read, 

Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.

The verse reads, “Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “therefore it shall come to pass” which means “wherefore, then and on this account it, the following acts and deeds, will happen and occur”, “that as all good things” or “that even and indeed each, the whole and everything that is pleasant and agreeable” “are come upon you” which means “has entered and been brought on you, the people of Israel”, “which the LORD your God” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “promised you” which means “you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” referred to the way “good things” which were “promised” by Jehovah God entered into the lives of the people of Israel. 

The verse continues, “so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “so shall the LORD” or “even and indeed will Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “bring upon you all evil things” or “enter, be enumerated and brought near to you, the people of Israel, each, the whole and everything that is bad, unkind, unhappy and wicked acts and deeds”, “until he has destroyed you” which means “till such time that he, Jehovah God, has exterminated, annihilated and devastated you, the people of Israel” “from off this good land” or “separate and apart from this pleasant and agreeable region, territory, ground and country” “which the LORD your God” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has given you” or “has granted, bestowed and assigned to you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” said Jehovah God would allow wicked and unhappy acts and deeds to come upon the people of Israel till such time as they would be annihilated separate and apart from the territory that Jehovah God gave them if they were to stray from their relationship with Him. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” warned the people of Israel that wickedness would come upon them if they were to align themselves with the pagan people and their territories. Even as Jehovah God brought “good things” to the people of Israel, He would allow these troubles to be with the people of Israel till such time as they were exterminated if they wandered away from Him. This is not God’s desire, but when people forsake Him and His ways, they do so to their own demise. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the grave after three days. When we submit 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 to help us live in a manner that is always in keeping with Him and His ways. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8: Revelation 4:11)

Next time Joshua shares what will happen, “When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God”, 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".

Going the Way of the Earth - Joshua 23:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God. Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you. Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “this day I am going the way of all the earth”, where we read, 

And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof.

The verse reads, “And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and, behold” which means “and lo, look and consider”, “this day I am going the way” or “this particular sunrise to sunset I, Joshua, and departing, proceeding and moving away in the manner” “of all the earth” which means “pertaining to each, the whole and every portion of the land, country, territory, district, region and world”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel that he was proceeding toward the manner of the world which is death. 

The verse goes on to say, “and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spoke concerning you;” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and you know” or “and you, the people of Israel, perceive, see, find out, discern, acknowledge and recognize” “in all your hearts” or “within each, the whole and everyone of your, the people of Israel’s, inner man, understanding and mind” “and in all your souls” which means “and within each, the whole and everyone of your, the people of Israel’s, appetite, living being, desire, emotion and passion”, “that not one thing has failed” or “that not a single occurrence or happening has fallen down, been cast down or made inferior” “of all the good things” which means “pertaining to each, the whole and everyone of the pleasant, agreeable, excellent, rich and valuable speeches, words, acts and deeds” “which the LORD your God” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “spoke concerning you” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed on behalf of and about you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” instructed the people of Israel to perceive and understand that every part of their desires, emotions, minds and wills were fulfilled according to that which Jehovah God uttered and declared to them. 

Finally the verse says, "all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing has failed thereof.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “all are come to pass unto you” which means “each, every and the whole acts and deeds happened and occurred toward you, the people of Israel, and not a single act or deed fell to the ground or was made inferior”, “and not one thing” or “and not a single speech, act or deed” “has failed thereof” which means “has fallen down, been cast down or made inferior within them”. Joshua or the writer shared how everything happened in keeping with God’s word, and nothing was made inferior and cast down from them.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” was dying, and he reminded the people of Israel that they should be aware within their “hearts and souls” that nothing was cast down or made inferior that Jehovah God told the people of Israel would occur. Everything God promised came true, and because God wants us to be in a personal relationship with Him, He will not fail to save and forgive the sins of every person who submits to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from he dead after three days. God loves us, and He will perform all the acts and deeds that He has promised in our lives both in this world and for all eternity. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Titus 1:2)

Next time Joshua says, “it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you”, 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 Will Not Drive Out the Nations - Joshua 23:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old and told the people of Israel, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God. Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirteen of Joshua said, “Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you”, where we read, 

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.

The verse reads, “Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “know for a certainty” which means “perceive, see, find out, discern, acknowledge and recognize” “that the LORD your God” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “will no more drive out” which means “shall no longer seize, dispossess, take possession of or occupy” “any of these nations” or “a single one pertaining to these pagan Gentile people groups” “from before you” which means “separate and apart from the front and presence of you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel that Jehovah God would no longer dispossess and occupy the territories of the pagan Gentile people groups that were in their presence. 

The verse goes on to say, “but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good land which the LORD your God has given you.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “but they shall be snares” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, the pagan Gentile nations, will exist as calamities and spring traps”, “and traps unto you” or “and lures, gins and nooses to you, the people of Israel”, “and scourges in your sides” which means “and flogs or goads within your, the people of Israel’s, sides of the body like an adversary”, “and thorns in your eyes” or “and pricks within your, the people of Israel’s, physical eyes used for vision and sight”, “until you perish” which means “till you, the people of Israel, vanish, be exterminated, go astray or die” “from off this good land” or “separate and apart from this pleasant, agreeable, beautiful and favorable ground, territory and country” “which the LORD your God” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “has given you” or “has granted, bestowed and assigned to you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the pagan people would become “snares, traps, scourges and thorns” to the people of Israel if they began to intermarry and follow after them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” wanted to be sure that the people of Israel knew the consequences for intermarrying and following after pagan entities. Rather than continuing to remove these foes before Israel, Jehovah God would allow them to remain among the people of Israel which would cause them to suffer to the point of annihilation. God did not want it to be this way, but He warned them. God wants to have personal relationship with us 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 yield 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 we never align ourselves with the foes and ways that are contrary to God. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8: 2 Corinthians 6:17)

Next time Joshua says, “this day I am going the way of all the earth”, 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".

If You Go Back - Joshua 23:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old and told the people of Israel, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, Joshua told what will happen, “if you do in any wise go back”, where we read, 

Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

The verse reads, “Else if you do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “else if you do in any wise go back” which means “because, since, whether and in case you, the people of Israel, turn back or return in any manner or way”, “and cleave” or “and stick, stay close to and follow closely” “unto the remnant of these nations” which means “to the remainder, excess, rest and residue pertaining to the foreign and pagan Gentile people groups” in addition to the following. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” presented the idea of the people of Israel returning to the pagan Gentile nations in any manner. 

The verse continues, “… even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “even these that remain among you” or “also and indeed the foreign pagan Gentile people groups who continued in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel”, “and shall make marriages with them” or “and will become son-in-laws, daughters-in-law, mother and father in laws alongside and accompanying them, the pagan foreign people groups”, “and go into them” which means “and enter, be lead in to and enumerated with them, the pagan foreign people groups”, “and they to you” or “and they, the pagan foreign people groups, alongside and accompanying you, the people of Israel” the result in our next verse will occur. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” presented the idea that the pagan foreign people groups who continue to live in the midst of them would enjoin themselves in matrimony and in-law relationships that accompany them whether the people of Israel marry them or the pagan foreign people groups marry the people of Israel. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” was concerned with the people of Israel having relationships with the pagan foreign people groups. This was not to be. (See 2 Corinthians 6:14) The idea is that these pagan people would influence the people of Israel to forsake Jehovah God, and the same is possible for us. God loves us, and having a personal relationship with Him is not to be interrupted or influenced by any outside unbeliever. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to pay the price on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to continue with Him without any external distractions. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time Joshua says, “Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you”, 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".

 

Take Good Heed to Yourselves - Joshua 23:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves”, where we read, 

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.

The verse reads, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “take good heed therefore” which means “keep, guard, observe and protect wherefore, then and on this account” “unto yourselves” or “to your own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel to guard and protect their own selves. 

The verse goes on to say, “… that you love the LORD your God.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “that you love” or “that you, the people of Israel, have strong affection for” “the LORD your God” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer said “Joshua” instructed the people of Israel to be strongly affectionate toward Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” directed the people of Israel to have a strong affection toward Jehovah God. In other words, He was to be first in their lives. God wants the same for us, (See Matthew 6:33) because when He is the primary of our thoughts and actions, we and He are blessed. God loves us, and He proved His love toward us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. God made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and granted us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to keep ourselves “in the love of God” for all eternity. (See John 15:!3; Jude 1:21)

Next time Joshua shares what will happen, “if you do in any wise go back”, 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".

One Man Shall Chase a Thousand - Joshua 23:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse ten of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “One man of you shall chase a thousand”, where we read, 

One man of you shall chase a thousand: 

for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you.

The verse reads, “One man of you shall chase a thousand:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “one man of you” which means “a single and particular male human being belonging to you, the people of Israel” “shall chase a thousand” or “will run after, pursue and put to flight a thousand male human beings”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” said a single male human being belonging to Israel would put to flight a “thousand” pagan foreign people. 

The verse continues, “for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “for the LORD your God” or “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”, “he it is” which means “he, Jehovah God, exists as the One” “that fights for you” or “who does battle and makes war on behalf of you, the people of Israel”, “as he has promised you” which means “even and indeed like he, Jehovah God, spoke, declared, commanded, and took an oath to you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” said Jehovah God was the One who battled on behalf of the people of Israel even like He took an oath that He would. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel were to be so powerful, that a single male human being among them would put to flight “a thousand” pagan Gentile men. This was because Jehovah God was battling their foes. God plus one makes a majority, and because He does the fighting, those aligned with Him are victorious. God won the battle over sin and death when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 grant us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that realizes God’s victory within us regardless of what we encounter in the world. (See John 3:16; 1 John 4:4)

Next time Joshua says, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves”, 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 Drove Out the Nations - Joshua 23:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them, But cleave unto the LORD your God, as you have done unto this day”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse nine of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong”, where we read, 

For the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong:

 but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day.

The verse reads, “For the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for the LORD” which means “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has driven out from before you” or “has seized, dispossessed disinherited and occupied in front and in the presence of you, the people of Israel” “great nations” which means “large, intense, important and distinguished people groups” “and strong” or “and mighty, numerous and powerful”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel that Jehovah God dispossessed the mighty and powerful foreign nations in their presence.

The verse goes on to say, “but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “but as for you” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover in reference to you, the people of Israel”, “no man has been able to stand before you” or “not one person has remained, endured and continued to abide in front and in the presence of you, the people of Israel” “unto this day” which means “to the current time period or sunrise to sunset”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” reminded the people of Israel that not one person had the ability to continue and remain in their presence to the current time period. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” reminded the people of Israel that Jehovah God dispossessed powerful and mighty people groups in their presence, and not one person had the capability to remain in front of them. God loves and protects the people of Israel, and He loves and protects us as well. 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 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 give us the assurance that He will defeat all foes who rise up against us and our witness for Him. (See John 3:16; Isaiah 54:15-17)

Next time Joshua says, “One man of you shall chase a thousand”, 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".