Joshua Speaks to Achan - Joshua 7:19

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken. And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken. And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken”, and in chapter seven and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray you, glory to the LORD God of Israel” where we read, 

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray you, glory to the LORD God of Israel, 

and make confession unto him; and tell me now what you have done; hide it not from me.

The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray you, glory to the LORD God of Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “said unto Achan” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Achan whose name means troubler”; “my son” which means “my, Joshua’s, male offspring in reference”, “give, I pray you” or “grant, bestow and assign, I, Joshua, plead with and beg you, Achan”, “glory to the LORD God” which means “honor, splendor and reverence to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God and is the Supreme Deity” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua began to speak to “Achan” and instructed him to bestow honor toward Jehovah God.

 

The verse continues, “… and make confession unto him; and tell me now what you have done; hide it not from me.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “to make confession unto him” which means “and give praise, thanksgiving and splendor to him, Jehovah God”; “and tell me now” or “disclose and speak to me, Joshua, at this time” “what you have done” which means “that which you, Achan, have performed, produced, fashioned and accomplished”; “hide it not from me” or “do not conceal or make secret what you, Achan, have done separate and apart from me, Joshua”. Joshua instructed “Achan” to bare his heart and mind to him and to disclose that which he had performed and produced, and “Achan” was not to keep it secret from him.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua began to interrogate “Achan” by having him give honor to Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity of “Israel”. “Achan” was to admit to his wrongdoing without concealing anything from Joshua. Recognition and admission of guilt was the first requirement after honoring Jehovah God. “Achan” sinned against God, Israel and his family, and his sin caused great suffering. God knows our sin not only opposes Him, but also makes others pay a price. Because we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (See Romans 3:23) and those sins lead to dead (See Romans 6:23), 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 so when He exposes our sin and we repent and confess to Him, He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Next time we learn how “Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD”, 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".

Zabdi Brings His Household - Joshua 7:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken. And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken”, and in chapter seven and verse eighteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Zabdi”, “brought his household man by man” where we read, 

And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, 

the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

The verse reads, “And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he brought his household” which means “and he, Zabdi, caused to come near and approach his, Zabdi’s, people who lived and dwelled within his habitation and abode” “man by man” or “male human being by male human being”; “and Achan” whose name means “troubler” and was “a Judaite who violated God's specific ban on taking any loot from the captured city of Jericho and was stoned to death along with his family for this violation”, “the son of Carmi” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Carmi whose name means my vineyard and was Achan’s father”, “the son of Zabdi” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Zabdi whose name means endowment and was son of Zerah and grandson of Judah and the grandfather of Achan”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Zabdi” caused the men within his home to come man by man, and “Achan” who was “Carmi’s” son and “Zabdi’s” grandson was chosen. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “the son of Zerah” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Zerah or Zarah whose name means rising”, “of the tribe of Judah” or “pertaining to the group or clan belonging to Judah whose name means praised” “was taken” which means “was selected, elected and chosen”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Achan” was the male offspring belonging to “Zerah” who was a descendant of the clan of “Judah”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more about the narrowing process of the people of “Israel” to reveal the offender of the “accursed thing”. “Achan” was chosen who descended from “Carmi, Zabdi, and Zerah” who were members of the “tribe of Judah”. Interestingly enough, God’s Son Jesus descended from the “tribe of Judah”, and when God sent Him 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 for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so sin never needs to be narrowed down to discover us as the perpetrators.

Next time we learn how “Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray you, glory to the LORD God of Israel”, 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".

Judah Brought Man by Man - Joshua 7:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned concerning Israel how Jehovah God said, “it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has: because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has wrought folly in Israel. So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken”, and in chapter seven and verse seventeen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua, “brought the family of Judah … man by man” where we read, 

And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: 

and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

The verse reads, “And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he brought the family” which means “and he, Joshua, caused to come near and approach the relatives and kinsmen” “of Judah” or “belonging to Judah whose name means praised”; “and he took the family” which means “and he, Joshua, selected and elected the relatives and kinsmen” “of the Zarhites” or “belonging to the Zarhites who were the descendants of Zerah”. Joshua caused the relatives and kinsmen who belonged to “Judah” and chose from them the relatives of the descendants of “Zerah”. 

 

The verse continues, “and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and he brought” which means “and he, Joshua, caused to come near and approach” “the family of the Zarhites” or “the relatives and kinsmen belonging to the Zarhites who were the descendants of Zerah” “man by man” which means “male human being by male human being”: “and Zabdi” whose name means “endowment” and “was the son of Zerah, grandson of Judah and grandfather of Achan” “was taken” which means “was selected, elected and chosen”. Joshua continued to narrow the field of possible perpetrators through the “Zarhites, Zabdi and male human being by male human being”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Joshua continued to reduce the number of people who could have violated God’s command concerning the “accursed thing”. Judah, the Zarhites, Zabdi and each man were brought forth by Joshua. God knew who the person was, and He allowed the process for Joshua to discover the wrongdoer. God loves the people of Israel, and because they were to suffer for this sin, He was providing a rescue plan for them. God loves us as well, and when we yield ourselves to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and make us aware that God knows all things and wants to help us.

Next time we learn how “Zabdi”, “brought his household man by man”, 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".

Tribe by Tribe - Joshua 7:16

In the book of Joshua, we learned concerning Israel how Jehovah God said, “it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has: because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has wrought folly in Israel”, and in chapter seven and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes” where we read, 

So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; 

and the tribe of Judah was taken:

The verse reads, “So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so Joshua” which means “therefore, then and on this account Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “rose up early in the morning” or “arose and got up at sunrise, the beginning of the day or dawn”, “and brought Israel” which means “and led and caused to come near Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “by their tribes” or “through the means of each and every one of their, the people of Israel’s, groups and clans”. Joshua arose at the beginning of the next day and led forth all the clans and groups belonging to Israel. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and the tribe of Judah was taken:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the tribe of Judah” which means “and the clan and group known as Judah whose name means praised” “was taken” or “was elected, chosen and held”. Joshua or the writer shared how the clan known as “Judah” was chosen from all the “tribes” belonging to Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the process of elimination that was being taken by Joshua. Joshua began at the dawn of the day, and all of the “tribes” of Israel were to come to him. He narrowed the groups down to the “tribe of Judah” which was chosen as the clan of the perpetrator. God knew all along who violated His command not to “touch the accursed thing”, and He was revealing this person to Joshua and the people of Israel step by step. God is omniscient, and there is nothing hidden from Him. He knows we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23), and because the wages of sin is death, (See Romans 6:23), He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross in our place and He raised Him 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 guide us into all truth, including our sins, and give us the power to live according to that truth and in keeping with His perfect will for our lives. 

Next time we learn how Joshua, “brought the family of Judah … man by man”, 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 Accursed Burned with Fire - Joshua 7:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned concerning Israel how Jehovah God said, “In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man”, and in chapter seven and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jehovah God said, “he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire” where we read, 

And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has: because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has wrought folly in Israel.

The verse reads, “And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he has:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it shall be” which means “and the following shall exist” “that he that is taken” or “that he, the person who is as follows, that exists as chosen, held and selected” “with the accursed thing” which means “accompanied by the utterly destroyed and cursed object” “shall be burnt with fire” or “will be kindled and caused to burn by the use of fiery fire”, “he and all that he has” which means “he, the person found with the accursed thing, and each, every, the whole and everything that he, the person who violated the command concerning the accursed things, holds, owns and possesses”. Jehovah God said that the person who is found with the object that is cursed is to be burned along with all of their belongings. 

 

The verse continues, “because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has wrought folly in Israel.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “because he has transgressed” which means “since and on account that he, the person who has violated the accursed thing, traversed, overtook and marched over” “the covenant of the LORD” or “the alliance, pledge, treaty, agreement, league and ordinance belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and because he has wrought folly” which means “and since and on account that he, the person who violated the command concerning the accursed thing, has fashioned, accomplished and produced senselessness, disgrace, immorality and profane actions” “in Israel” or “within Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Jehovah God said the reason the person who is found with the “accursed thing” was to be “burnt with fire” was because they marched over Jehovah God’s ordinance and produced immorality and profane actions within “Israel”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God pronounced a devastating sentence upon the person and everything they owned who was found with the “accursed thing”. Everything the person owned and their own selves were to be “burned with fire”. Sin is detestable to God, and because it separates us from a personal relationship with Him, it must be eradicated. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to pay the price of death on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. 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 who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we do not sin against God. (See John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Revelation 1:18)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes”, 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".

Brought According to Your Tribes - Joshua 7:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned concerning Israel how Jehovah God said, “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus says the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of you, O Israel: you can not stand before your enemies, until you take away the accursed thing from among you”, and in chapter seven and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jehovah God said, “In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes” where we read, 

In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.

The verse reads, “In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to the families thereof;” Joshua or the writer began this verse with the words, “in the morning therefore” or “wherefore, then and on this account within the early dawn or rising of the sun” “you shall be brought” which means “you, the people of Israel will be led and called upon” “according to your tribes” or “in keeping with your, the people of Israel’s, clans or groups”: “and it shall be” which means “and it, the following, shall exist”, “that the tribe” or “that the clan or group” “which the LORD takes” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and is the One True God captures, seizes and holds” “shall come” or “will approach, enter and be brought near” “according to the families thereof” which means “in keeping with the relatives and kinsmen within the tribe”. Jehovah God directed the people of Israel to be carried forward in keeping with their clans early in the morning, and the clan chosen by Him were to approach with their relatives and kinsmen.

 

The verse goes on to say, “and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the family” which means “and the clan of relatives” “which the LORD shall take” or “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God will capture, choose and seize” “shall come by households” which means “will approach and enter through the means of the people within their dwellings, habitations and abodes”; “and the household” or “and the people within their dwelling places, habitations and abodes” “which the LORD shall take” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the One True God will capture, choose and seize” “shall come man by man” or “will arise and approach male human being by male human being”. Jehovah God said the clan of relatives who are chosen by Jehovah God were to approach Joshua by each of the people within their dwelling places or abodes, and from them were come were to approach each male human being by male human being.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to be involved with the people of Israel, and because they were unaware of the person who violated the command not to lay hold of the “accursed thing”, God gave instructions to Joshua for narrowing the number of potential offenders. Each “tribe” of Israel was to present themselves.; then each “family” from that “tribe”; then each household and finally “man by man”. We shall see how God chooses the person who was at fault in our next few verses, but for now, let us consider how God is working intimately with the people of Israel. He loves Israel, and He loves us, and His desire is to have a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the wisdom to know how to narrow things according to His perfect will and purpose for our lives. 

Next time we learn how Jehovah God says, “he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire”, 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".