Adonibezek Found in Bezek - Judges 1:5

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men”, and in chapter one and verse five of Judges, we learn how “they found Adonibezek in Bezek” where we read,

And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, 

and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.

The verse reads, “And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, …” The writer began with the words, “and they found Adonibezek” which means “and they, the people of Judah, discovered Adonibezek whose name means ‘the Lord is Bezek’ who was the king of the Canaanite city of Bezek” “in Bezek” or “within Bezek whose name means ‘lightning’ and was the home of Adonibezek and the place where Israel rallied under Saul” :“and they fought against him” which means “and they, Judah, battled and warred in opposition to him, Adonibezek”. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” discovered the “king” of “Bezek” whose name was “Adonibezek”, and they waged war in opposition to him.

The verse goes on to say, “… and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they slew the Canaanites” which means “and they, the people of Judah, struck, hit, beat and killed the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua” “and the Perizzites” whose name means ‘belonging to a village’ and were a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” killed the “Canaanites and Perizzites”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more about the conquest of the people of “Judah” over the “Canaanites and Perizzites” where the territory given to them by God was located. Not only did they defeat their armies, but the also discovered the whereabouts of their “king”, “Adonibezek”, who was in that area. God provided for “Judah”, and He will provide for us when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live according to that truth so that we too shall conquer every foe who rises against us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him”, 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 Went Up and the LORD Delivered - Judges 1:4

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him”, and in chapter one and verse four of Judges, we learn how “Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand” where we read,

And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.

The verse reads, “And Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand:” The writer began with the words, “and Judah went up” which means “and Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the son of Jacob by Leah”; “and the LORD” or “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “delivered the Canaaites” which means “gave, bestowed, granted, permitted and ascribed the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua” “and the Perizzites” or “and the Perizzites whose name means ‘belonging to a village’ and were a people who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest” “into their hand” which means “in their, Judah’s, power, might and strength”. The writer shared how “Judah” ascended to the territory occupied by the “Canaanites and Perrizites”, and Jehovah God gave them over to the strength and might of “Judah”. 

The verse continues, “and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and they slew of them” which means “and they, the people of Judah, struck, beat, hit and killed them, the Canaanites” “in Bezek” or “within Bezek whose name means lightning and was the home of Adonibezek and the place where Israel rallied under Saul” “ten thousand men” which means “ten thousand male human beings”. The writer shared how “Judah” killed ten thousand “Canaanites” within “Bezek”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Judah” acted upon the word of Jehovah God by ascending to the region where the “Canaanites” occupied the land, and they not only defeated and killed the “Canaanites” located there, but they also destroyed the “Perizzites”. God gave “Judah” this victory, and He will give us the victory over sin and death 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. God will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and help us to conquer our foes when we put our faith and trust in Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “they found Adonibezek in Bezek”, 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 Calls Upon Simeon - Judges 1:3

In the book of Judges we learned, “after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them? And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand”, and in chapter one and verse three of Judges, we learn how “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot” where we read,

And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him.

The verse reads, “And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites;” The writer began with the words, “and Judah” whose name  means “praised” and was the fourth son of Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “said unto Simeon his brother” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Simeon whose name means ‘heard’ and was “the second son of Jacob by his wife Leah and progenitor of the tribe of Simeon, his, Judah’s, male sibling”, “come up with me into my lot” which means “shoot forth and arise alongside and accompanying me, Judah, in my, Judah’s, portion, share and heritage”, “that we may fight against the Canaanites” or “so we, Judah and Simeon, might battle and war in opposition to the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland’ and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua”. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” solicited his male sibling’s people of “Simeon” to accompany them to their portion of territory where they would do battle in opposition to the “Canaanites” who possessed the land. 

The verse goes on to say, “and I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and I likewise” which means “and I, Judah, in a similar and like manner” “will go with you” or “shall shoot forth and depart alongside and accompanying you, Simeon” “into your lot” which means “to your portion, share and heritage”. “So Simeon” or “therefore, then and on this account Simeon whose name means ‘heard’” “went with him” which means “departed and left alongside and accompanying him, Judah”. The writer shared how “Judah” promised that he would depart alongside “Simeon” to their portion when the time came, and therefore “Simeon” departed with “Judah”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Judah” desired and solicited help from his “brother’s” “tribe of Simeon” to do battle in opposition to the people of “Canaan”. There were additional territories to occupy by the people of Israel, and the first on the list was to be seized by “Judah”. Jehovah God chose them, and when there was an agreement made between “Judah and Simeon” to help one another with conquering the people who possessed the territory they were to seize, they acted. God desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead 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 help us to conquer all that He desires to give us in this world and in Heaven. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Judah went up; and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand”, 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 Shall Go Up - Judges 1:2

In the book of Judges we learned what happened, “after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?”, and in chapter one and verse two of Judges, we learn how “the LORD said, Judah shall go up”where we read,

And the LORD said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.

The verse reads, “And the LORD said, Judah shall go up:” The writer began with the words,“and the LORD said” or “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “Judah shall go up” which means “Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was “the son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” will arise and ascend to battle”. The writer shared how Jehovah God chose the tribe of “Judah” to ascend first to battle “against the Canaanites”. 

The verse continues, “behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “behold ,I have delivered the land” which means “lo, look and consider, I, Jehovah God, have put, set, bestowed, granted and consecrated the district, territory, region and country” “into his hand” or “into his, Judah’s, power, might and authority”. The writer shared how Jehovah God called upon the people of Israel to consider that He granted the territory of the “Canaanites” to the power and might of the tribe of “Judah”. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God involved Himself in the conquest of the territory within the land of “Canaan” for the people of Israel which included this portion allotted for the “tribe of Judah”. God loves to be involved with His people, and when we yield our lives to His 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, 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 power to defeat our hating adversaries any time He instructs us to do so. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 54:15; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot”, 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".

 

Now After the Death of Joshua Judges 1:1

In the book of Judges in chapter one and verse one the writer shared what happened, “after the death of Joshua” where we read,

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

The verse reads, “Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying …” he writer began with the words, “now after the death of Joshua” which means “following the time when 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” “it came to pass” or “the following happened and occurred”, “that the children of Israel” which means “that 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” “asked the LORD” or “inquired of and questioned Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking” the following words. The writer shared that following the time when “Joshua” took his last breath, the offspring belonging to “Israel” asked Jehovah God the following question.

The verse goes on to say, “… Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “who shall go up for us” which means “what person or group of people will arise and ascend on behalf of us, the people of Israel” “against the Canaanites first” or “as the initial tribe to fight and battle in opposition to the Canaanites whose name means lowland and possessed the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua”, “to fight against them” which means “to do battle and war in opposition to them, the Canaanites?” The writer shared how the people of Israel questioned Jehovah God as to what person or people group were to initially ascend in opposition to the people of “Canaan”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel desired to follow the directive of “Joshua” before he died. (See Joshua 24:29-30) “Joshua” told them to capture more territory that had not yet been seized, and their question to Jehovah God was, “who” was to ascend to fulfill this charge. Going to Jehovah God with our questions is best for our lives, and God wants us to align with Him and His ways 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 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 with our questions and give us the ability to obey Him wherever He instructs us to “rise up”. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1::8)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD said, Judah shall go up”, 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".

Introduction to Judges - Judges 1:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how,“the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph. And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim”, and in chapter one and verse one of Judges, we begin with an introduction of the book of Judges as we discover what happened  “after the death of Joshua” where we read,

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

The people of Israel had journeyed through the wilderness for forty years under the leadership of Moses. Afterwards they entered the promise land under the leadership of Joshua, and after some time passed, Joshua and Eleazar the high priest died. Now was to be a time when the people of Israel would be more on their own, and this led to the occasion for the “judges” to rule among them. 

The people of Israel developed a pattern during the time of the thirteen judges that are mentioned in this book, and the judges were semi-rulers over them.The judges made judgments among the happenings of the people, and this time period was previous to the time when “kings” would reign over the people of Israel. The time of the judges lasted some three to four hundred years. 

The people of Israel vacillated between following Jehovah God and falling away from Him. They suffered when they turn away from God to serve other deities, and they were blessed when they remained near to Him. The people of Israel turned away from Jehovah God to worship Baal, Ashtoreth, various deities of the Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Hitties, Jebusites and the people in the land in which they were dwelling. This apostasy caused them to be turned over to their hating foes, and afterward they cried out to God who would raise up a “judge” on their behalf. 

The “judge” delivered them from their adversaries, and they followed Jehovah God again for some time, however, they fell away again. God blessed the people of Israel and gave them prosperity when they aligned with Him, however when they forsook the LORD and abandoned their relationship with Him, they experienced difficulties and troubles. These alternating activities and trials for the people of Israel serve to give us direction and motivation not only to have a personal relationship with Jehovah God through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, but also to teach us the value of God’s forgiveness, promise of eternal life and the equipping of His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to remain close to Him.

Next time we begin the book of Judges where we read what happened, “after the death of Joshua”, 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".

 

Eleazar Died - Joshua 24:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned how,“the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for an hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse thirty-three of Joshua, the writer shared how, “Eleazar the son of Aaron died” where we read,

And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, which was given him in mount Ephraim.

The verse reads, “And Eleazar the son of Aaron died; and they buried him in a hill that pertained to Phinehas his son, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Eleazar” whose name means “God has helped” and was “the high priest son of Aaron”, “the son of Aaron” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Aaron whose name means ‘light bringer’ and was the brother of Moses, a Levite and the first high priest” “died” which means “breathed his last breath and expired”; “and they buried him” or “and they, the people of Israel, heaped up a mound over or entombed him, Eleazar” “in a hill” which means “within a little mound or rising above the plain” “that pertained to Phinehas his son” or “that was given to Phinehas whose name means ‘mouth of brass’ and was 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”. The writer shared how “Aaron’s” son “Eleazar” passed away, and they entombed him within a small mound which was given to his male offspring “Phinehas”.

The verse continues, “… which was given him in mount Ephraim.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “which was given him” which means “that was granted, bestowed and assigned to him, Phinehas” “in mount Ephraim” or “within the rising of the plain known as Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over his first son, Manasseh”. The writer shared how “Eleazar” was “buried” in the property that was granted to his son “Phinehas” within the mount of “Ephraim”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Aaron’s” son “Eleazar” took his last breath and was “buried” on a mound in “Ephraim” that belonged to “Phinehas” his male offspring. “Joshua” died; “Eleazar” died, and the people of Israel were entering into a new time when they would be governed by their own inner drives. God wants to be in a close, intimate relationship with us, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days to make this possible. When we believe 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 empower us to live according to that truth so our lives are pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we begin a new book, the book of Judges, 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".