The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

When You Have Taken the City - Joshua 8:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said, “I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand”, and in chapter eight and verse eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire” where we read,

And it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire:

according to the commandment of the LORD shall you do. See, I have commanded you.

The verse reads, “And it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it shall be” which means “and the following will exist”, “when you have taken the city” or “at the time and moment you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, have seized and possessed the dwelling place or town”, “that you shall set the city on fire” which means “that you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, are to kindle the dwelling place and town with flames and fiery fire”. Joshua instructed “the thirty thousand mighty men of valor” to kindle a fiery fire within the city of “Ai” after they seized it.

The verse continues, “according to the commandment of the LORD shall you do. See, I have commanded you.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “according to the commandment” which means “in keeping with the order and charge” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “shall you do” which means “will you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, accomplish, fashion and perform”. “See, I have commanded you” or “lo, look, consider and behold, I, Joshua, have charged and ordered you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor”. Joshua directed the thirty thousand mighty men of valor to seize the city of Ai and set it on fire in keeping with Jehovah God’s charge even as Joshua ordered.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Joshua continued to direct the thirty thousand mighty men of valor in their conquering of “Ai”. At the time and moment they seized the city, they were to burn it with fiery fire just the way Jehovah God instructed. Joshua gave orders to the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and they were to follow his commands. In the same manner, God desires to save us from the penalty of sin which is death, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave 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 teach us the value of following Him in all our ways in keeping with His perfect purpose and will for our lives. (See Proverbs 3:5-6)

Next time we learn how Joshua, “sent them forth”, 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".

Rise Up from the Ambush - Joshua 8:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said, “I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. (For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them”, and in chapter eight and verse seven of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city” where we read,

Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city:

for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

The verse reads, “Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then you shall rise up” which means “at that time you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor who were dispatched at nighttime, will stand up and arise” “from the ambush” or “separate and apart from lying in wait and the lurking place”, “and seize upon the city” which means “and dispossess, inherit, occupy and take possession of the dwelling place or town of Ai”. Joshua told the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” they were to rise up from their place of lying in wait and take possession of the “city of Ai” when they saw the men of “Ai” running after Joshua and his men.

The verse continues, “for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.” Joshua or the writer continued 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” “your God” or “your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “will deliver it” which means “shall put, bestow, grant, ascribe, dedicate and consecrate it, the city of Ai” “into your hand” or “in your, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor’s, power, might, strength and authority”. Joshua declared that Jehovah God who is Israel’s Supreme Deity would bestow and consecrate the “city of Ai” into the authority of the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua continued to instruct the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” concerning their next attack on the “city of Ai”. They were to wait until the people of “Ai” pursued “Joshua” and the warriors of Israel who were approaching the city, and then they were to capture “Ai” from the rear. God’s plan for Israel was coming together, and as each person obeyed these instructions, they would possess yet another city in the promise land. God knew the way of conquering for Israel, and He knows the same for us. 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 so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and help us to follow His ways to possess what He has planned for us in our lives.

Next time we learn how Joshua said, “when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

They Will Come Until Drawn - Joshua 8:6

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said, “I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them”, and in chapter eight and verse six of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city” where we read,

(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city;

for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.

The verse reads, “(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “(for they will come out” which means “because, since and on account that they, the people of Ai, shall exit, depart and go forth” “after us” or “following and pursuing us, Joshua and the warriors with him”), “till we have drawn them” which means “until such time that we, Joshua and the warriors with him, have separated, pulled and torn them, the people of Ai” “from the city” or “separate and apart from the dwelling place or town”. Joshua parenthetically declared that the people of Ai would pursue him and the warriors with him until such time that Joshua and his men caused them to be separated from the town of Ai.

The verse goes on to say, “for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “for they will say” which means “because, since and on account that they shall utter, declare and proclaim”, “they flee before us” or “they, the people of Israel, take flight, drive hastily and depart to escape” “as at the first” or “similar and in likeness to the first time they attacked”: “therefore will we flee” which means “wherefore, then and on this account shall we, the people of Ai, shall depart, escape and take flight” “before them” or “in front and within the presence of them, Joshua and the people of Israel”. Joshua knew the people of Ai would declare that the people of Israel have been put to flight in front of them like they did the initial time they came, and this would be the reason the people of “Ai” would depart in a hasty manner.

When we consider the words in this verse, we continue to see the plan of Jehovah God through Joshua for conquering the “city of Ai”. This time, contrasted to the primary attempt to take the city, Joshua not only set an ambush, but he also instructed the men with him to expose themselves to the people of “Ai”, retreat in a hasty manner and expect that the people of “Ai” would assume this was like the initial time they attacked “Ai”. We shall see the wonderful conclusion to this strategic effort in our next verses, but for now, let us be mindful that God is with Joshua and the people of Israel. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He desires a personal intimate relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through trust and faith 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 empower us to live according to that truth so we too, like Israel, will not only hear God’s plan for us, but also to walk according to His purpose and will for our lives.

Next time we learn how Joshua says, “you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Approaching the City - Joshua 8:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Jehovah God told Israel, “you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be you all ready”, and in chapter eight and verse five of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua, “and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city” where we read,

And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city:

and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

The verse reads, “And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and I” which means “and I, Joshua”, “and all the people that are with me” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings who are alongside and accompany me, Joshua”, “will approach unto the city” which means “shall come near and draw close to the dwelling place or town of Ai”. Joshua told the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” that he and the remainder of the warriors would draw near to the town of “Ai”.

The verse continues, “and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and it shall come to pass” which means “and the following will happen and occur”, “when they come out against us” or “at the time and moment they, the people of Ai, go forth, depart and proceed forward in opposition to us, Joshua and the other warriors”, “as at the first” which means “similar and in likeness to the initial time that Israel attacked Ai”, “that we will flee before them” or “that we, Joshua and the other warriors, shall take flight, escape and drive hastily away in front and in the presence of them, the people of Ai”. Joshua told the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” that at the time the people of “Ai” proceed in opposition to him and the other warriors of Israel like the initial attack upon “Ai”, he and the others would run away hastily in front of them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua gave more instructions to the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” as he told them the plan for drawing the people of “Ai” out of their town. Joshua and the warriors of Israel with him were to come near the “city of Ai” and expose themselves to the people there. When they knew they were spotted, “Joshua” and the others with him were to take flight in a hasty manner because the people of “Ai” would think this was like the initial attack upon them. We shall see what was to happen next in the following verse, but for now, let us be mindful that this was God’s plan for the defeat of “Ai” and His fulfillment to give Israel the promise land. God knows our enemies, and because sin is destructive in our lives, even unto death, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He raised Jesus from the dead after three days, and 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 help us to follow His ways for engaging and defeating the enemy of our souls.

Next time we learn how Joshua said, “(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Lie in With Against the City - Joshua 8:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Jehovah God told Israel, “you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night”, and in chapter eight and verse four of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “you shall lie in wait against the city” where we read,

And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be you all ready:

The verse reads, “And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he commanded them” which means “and he, Joshua, charged and ordered them, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “behold, you shall lie in wait against the city” which means “lo, look and consider you, thirty thousand mighty men, will lurk and lay an ambush in opposition to the dwelling place or town”, “even behind the city” or “indeed and also after and in the hinder part of the dwelling place or town”. Joshua ordered the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” to lay an ambush in the hinder part of the town of “Ai”.

The verse goes on to say, “go not very far from the city, but be you all ready:.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “go not very far” which means “do not be distant and removed a great distance” “from the city” or “separate and apart from the dwelling place or town of Ai”, “but be you all ready” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover every one of you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, are to exist as firm, stable, established, secure and prepared”. Joshua continued to instruct the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” by telling them not to go a great distance apart from “Ai”, however they were to be securely prepared.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua began to fulfill God’s command for the people of Israel as they were to go to battle against “Ai” once again. This time “Joshua” not only selected “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” but he ordered them to set up “an ambush” at the rear of the city and to exist as prepared. God gave this directive to “Joshua”, and “Joshua” gave it to these men. God knew Israel’s enemy, and He knows ours. He knew we have sin in our lives that will lead to destruction and eternal defeat if no one stood in on our behalf. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead so when we obey His directive to believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and prepare us for “battle” so we become conquerors through His power and means. (See John 16;13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, May 18, 2026

Joshua Arose and the Men of War - Joshua 8:3

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “the LORD said unto Joshua, fear not, neither be you dismayed: Take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: See I have given into your hand the king of Air, and his people, and his city, and his land. And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it”, and in chapter eight and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai” where we read,

So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai:

and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.

The verse reads, “So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so Joshua arose” which means “wherefore, therefore, then and on this account Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation got up, stood and ascended”, “and all the people of war” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings pertaining to battle and fighting”, “to go up against Ai” which means “to proceed and ascend in opposition to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua stood up along with everyone of the warriors of Israel to ascend in opposition to “Ai”.

The verse goes on to say, “and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “chose out thirty thousand mighty men” or “selected and elected thirty thousand strong, powerful and valiant male human beings” “of valor” which means “with ability, efficiency, might and force”, “and sent them away” or “and dispatched and assigned them, the thirty thousand mighty men, to proceed and go forth” “by night” which means “within the protective shadow of the nighttime”. “Joshua” selected “thirty thousand” powerful and valiant warriors with great ability and dispatched them within the shadow of the nighttime.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” obeyed Jehovah God’s instructions as he rose up and assembled “thirty thousand” powerful warriors who had great ability to proceed forth at the shadow of nighttime to go against “Ai”. God’s will was being followed, and we shall see how the people of Israel will be victorious this time. God loves us, and He knows what is best for our lives. 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 as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to to hear and follow Him wherever He leads. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how Joshua says, “you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Do to Ai as Done to Jericho - Joshua 8:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “the LORD said unto Joshua, fear not, neither be you dismayed: Take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai: See I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land…”, and in chapter eight and verse two of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jehovah God said, “you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king” where we read,

And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king:

only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves:

lay you an ambush for the city behind it.

The verse reads, “And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and you shall do to Ai” which means “and you, Joshua and the people of Israel, will perform and produced toward Ai whose name means ‘heap of ruins’ and was a city lying east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho and the second city taken on the invasion of Canaan” “and her king” or “and her, Ai’s, royal ruler and leader” “as you did unto Jericho” which means “in similar and in like manner to the way you performed and produced toward Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan” “and her king” or “and her, Jericho’s, royal ruler and leader”. Jehovah God told Joshua that he and the people of Israel would perform in the same manner toward “Ai” and it’s royal ruler as they did toward “Jericho” and its royal ruler.

The verse continues, “only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “only the spoil thereof” which means “alone, altogether and except the prey, booty and plunder within the city of Ai”, “and the cattle thereof” or “and the animals, beasts and livestock within the city of Ai”, “shall you take a prey unto yourselves” which means “will you, the people of Israel, lay hold of, seize and despoil a plunder and booty to your own selves, the people of Israel”. Jehovah God told Joshua that the plunder within the city of “Ai” as well as the animals and livestock will the people of Israel seize for their own selves.

Finally the verse says, “lay you an ambush for the city behind it.” Joshua or the writer said, “lay you an ambush” which means “set, appoint and establish you, the people of Israel, a lurking and lying in wait” “for the city behind it” or “on behalf of “Ai” after and following the location of it. Jehovah God instructed Joshua to have the people lie in wait “behind” the location of the city of “Ai”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Jehovah God gave new instructions to the people of Israel to wage the battle against “Ai”. Unlike Jericho, they were to lie secretly in wait behind the city of “Ai”, and they would be allowed to plunder the “spoil” of “Ai” because they were going to destroy “Ai” even as they did “Jericho”. The difference this time is that they were following God’s directives rather than assuming that they knew best for themselves. God wants us to have this type of relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone 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 and direct our path in keeping with His perfect plan and will for our lives.

Next time Jehovah God says, “so Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…