The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, July 16, 2026

The Levites Have No Part - Joshua 18:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north. You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse seven of Joshua we learn how Joshua said, “the Levites have no part among you” where we read,

But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance:

and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.

The verse reads, “But the Levites have no part among you; for the priesthood of the LORD is their inheritance:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but the Levites” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ and were specially set aside by God for His service” “have no part among you” which means “do not have any share or portion in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel”: “for the priesthood of the LORD” or “because, since and on account sacred and pure office of the people who operated as the ‘priests” belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “is their inheritance” which means “exists as their, the Levites’, heritage, portion or share”. Joshua stated how the “Levites” did not own or possess any property within the promise land, but rather received the office of Jehovah God’s “priesthood”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Gad, and Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh, have received their inheritance beyond Jordan on the east, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Gad” whose name means “troop” and was seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher., “and Reuben” whose name means ‘behold a son’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Leah”, “and half the tribe of Manasseh” which means “and one-half of the clan or people group belonging to Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh” “have received their inheritance” or “have taken in hand, seized and acquired their, Gad, Reuben and the half tribe of Manasseh’s, portion or share” “beyond Jordan on the east” which means “across the Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”, “which Moses” or “that Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the lawgiver, prophet and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” which means “the bondman, man of servile condition and ” “gave them” or “granted, bestowed and assigned to them, the people of Israel”. Joshua reminded the people of Israel that the “tribes of Gad, Reuben and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” hand already received their allotment of territory on the eastern side of the “Jordan” river.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua continued to speak to the people of “Israel” about their allotment within the promise land. The “Levites” were not to receive any inheritance of land because the office of the “priesthood” before Jehovah God was to be their portion, and the “tribes of Gad, Reuben and one-half of the tribe of Manasseh” had already been assigned their territory on the eastern side of the Jordan River which Moses granted to them. God was providing for His people “Israel”, and lot by lot and “tribe by tribe”, they were meant to receive the promise land. God wants to provide for us as well, 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 day 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 teach us to receive from Him all He desires to provide. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time Joshua or the writer says, “the men arose, and went away”, 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".

Describe the Land into Seven Parts - Joshua 18:6

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me. And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north”, and in chapter eighteen and verse six of Joshua we learn how Joshua said, “they shall describe the land into seven parts” where we read,

You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me,

that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.

The verse reads, “You shall therefore describe the land into seven parts, and bring the description here to me, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “you shall therefore” or “you, the three men chosen from each of the tribes of Israel, will wherefore, then and on this account” “describe the land” which means “write down and record about the district, region and territory” “into seven parts” or “in seven shares, portions and parcels”, “and bring the description here to me” which means “and carry and deliver written description to me, Joshua”. Joshua instructed the “three men” dispatched from each of the “tribes of Israel” to make records concerning the “seven parts” of the territory and bring those records to “Joshua”.

The verse continues, “… that I may cast lots for you here before the LORD our God.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “that I may cast lots for you” which means “so I, Joshua, might throw pebbles used for systematically making decisions on behalf of you, the people of Israel” “here before the LORD” or “in this place and in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “our God” which means “our, Joshua and the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua told the people of Israel he would throw pebbles to make decisions for them in the presence of Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “three men from each tribe” who were chosen and assigned by the people of Israel were to make records of the territory they traversed, and carry the report back to Joshua so he would throw pebbles for making decisions on their behalf in the presence of Jehovah God. God was giving the promise land to the people of “Israel”, and they were to seize upon it and live there. God desires to give us everlasting life and forgiveness of sins 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. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus and allow Him to choose what is given to us. (See John 3:16; Ephesians 1:18)

Next time Joshua says, “the Levites have no part among you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Divide into Seven Parts - Joshua 18:5

And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south,

and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.

The verse reads, “And they shall divide it into seven parts: Judah shall abide in their coast on the south, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they shall divide it” or “and they, the three men from each tribe of Israel, will allot, apportion, distribute and impart it, the land” “into seven parts” which means “into seven portions, shares or allotments”: “Judah shall abide in their coast” or “Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the second son of Jacob by Leah, will live and remain within their, Judah’s, edge, circuit and boundary” “on the south” which means “within the southern direction”. Joshua said the three men from each “tribe” were to apportion the territory into “seven” portions, and “Judah” was to live within their boundary in the southern direction.

The verse goes on to say, “… and the house of Joseph shall abide in their coasts on the north.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the house of Joseph” which means “and the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “shall abide” or “will stay and remain” “in their coasts” which means “within their, the people of Joseph’s, edge, circuit and boundary” “on the north” or “in the northern direction”. Joshua told the three men chosen from each tribe of “Israel” that the dwelling place belonging to the people of “Joseph” will live and remain within their boundaries in the northern direction.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” told the people of “Israel” that the “three men” would apportion the territory they search out into “seven” sections. The “tribe of Judah” was to live within the southern boundary, and the “tribe of Joseph” would dwell in the northern area. God gave these lands to the people of Israel, and each of the tribes were to receive their allotment. “Seven tribes” had not at this point received their territory, and this process would provide it to them. God loves people, and His desires is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be resurrected 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 give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to possess the ability to live as a witness for Him as we receive all He desires to give us. (See John 3:16:16:13: Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua says, “you shall therefore describe the land into seven parts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Give Out Three Men - Joshua 18:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse four of Joshua we learn how Joshua asked, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe” where we read,

Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise,

and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.

The verse reads, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “give out from among you” or “provide and assign in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel” “three men for each tribe” which means “three male human beings on behalf of every clan or people group”: “and I will send them” or “and I, Joshua, shall dispatch and assign them, the three men from each tribe”, “and they shall rise” which means “and they, the three men from each tribe, will stand up, come on the scene and establish themselves”. “Joshua” instructed the people of Israel to assign three male human beings from every one of the clans, and he would dispatch them as they stood up to come on the scene.

The verse continues, “… and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and go through the land” which means “and walk, depart, proceed and traverse the district, region and territory”, “and describe it” or “and record, write down and subscribe to it, the territory or region” “according to the inheritance of them” which means “in keeping with the possession, property and heritage belonging to them, the tribes of Israel”; “and they shall come again to me” or “and they, the three men from each tribe of Israel, will return and be brought back to me, Joshua”. Joshua instructed the three men from the tribes of “Israel” to traverse the territory and make record of it in keeping with the share and portion they were to obtain, and they were to return to him afterward.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” instructed the people of “Israel” to select “three men” from every one of their clans, and he would dispatch them to proceed throughout the territory, keep a record of what they saw and return to him afterward. God told the people of “Israel” how to begin to move toward their possessing of their territory. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus 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 and empower us to live according to that truth so we are willing to seek, explore and receive everything He desires to give to us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 1:18)

Next time Joshua says, “they shall divide it into seven parts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

How Long are You Slack? - Joshua 18:3

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance”, and in chapter eighteen and verse three of Joshua we learn how Joshua asked, “How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?” where we read,

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?

The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are you slack to go to possess the land, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua said” or “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked” “unto the children of Israel” which means “to 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”, “how long are you slack” or “for what length of time are you, children of Israel, sunk down, relaxed and disheartened” “to go to possess the land” which means “to attain, besiege and obtain the district, territory or region”?. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” questioned the offspring of “Israel” by asking for what length of time would they be disheartened to obtain the territory that was allotted to them.

The verse goes on to say, “… which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “which the LORD God” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One true God the Supreme Deity” “of your fathers” or “belonging to your, Israel’s, male progenitors and ancestors” “has given you” which means “has granted, bestowed and assigned to you, the people of Israel”? Joshua or the writer referred to the property that Jehovah God the Supreme Deity had been given to the people of “Israel” within the promise land.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” questioned the people of “Israel” as to for what length of time they would be disheartened concerning obtaining the territory that was designated to them in the promise land by their forefathers. God told the people of “Israel” that He would provide land for them, and they were to go and possess it. God gave us His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised Him from the dead after three days, so when we yield our lives 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 and willingness to obtain all He desires to provide. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua says, “Give out from among you three men for each tribe”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Seven Tribes Without Inheritance - Joshua 18:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them”, and in chapter eighteen and verse two of Joshua we learn how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance” where we read,

And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes,

which had not yet received their inheritance.

The verse reads, “And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and there remained” or “and there were left over and preserved” “among the children of Israel” which means “in the midst and middle of 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” “seven tribes” or “seven clans or people groups”. Joshua or the writer shared how there were seven clans of offspring belonging to “Israel” who continued in the following condition.

The verse continues, “… which had not yet received their inheritance.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “which had not yet received” which means “who had in no way or manner at that time possessed, been apportioned and assigned” “their inheritance” or “their, the seven tribes’, possession, property, heritage, portion and share”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “seven tribes of Israel” who were left over had not at this point been apportioned their allotment and share of the promise land.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover that there were “seven” clans among the people of “Israel” who had not yet been assigned their properties within the promise land. We shall see why in our next few verses, but for now let us understand that this was in part the peoples’ fault rather than “Joshua’s” or others. God wants us to receive His salvation 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 believe and trust in Him as our “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 empower us to live according to that truth so we will manage ourselves in a way that is pleasing to Him and receives all the inheritance He desires to give. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8: Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:12)

Next time Joshua asks, “How long are you slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Assembled Together - Joshua 18:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel. And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only. But the mountain shall be yours; for it is a wood, and you shall cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be yours: for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong”, and in chapter eighteen and verse one of Joshua we learn how,“the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh” where we read,

And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh,

and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.

The verse reads, “And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the whole congregation” or “and the entire gathering, multitude and assembly” “of the children of Israel” which means “pertaining to 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”; “assembled together at Shiloh” or “collected and gathered themselves with one another in the location of Shiloh whose name means ‘place of rest’ and was a city in Ephraim and temporary home of the Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the place where Samuel grew up”. Joshua or the writer said the entire multitude pertaining to the offspring belonging to “Israel” were gathered with one another in the location of “Shiloh”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and set up the tabernacle” which means “and settled down and established the sacred dwelling tent of Jehovah” “of the congregation there” or “belonging to the multitude or assembly in that place”. “And the land” which means “and the territory, district and region” “was subdued before them” or “existed as subservient, dominate and brought into bondage in front and in the presence of them, the people of “Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” established the sacred tent belonging to the multitude in “Shiloh”, and the territory was dominated in their presence.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the assembly of the people of “Israel” not only gathered together in “Shiloh” but they established the sacred tent to Jehovah God there. Establishing the place to worship God was essential to the people of “Israel”, and making Him first in our lives must be our priority. (See Matthew 6:33) When 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 dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust 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 that we worship Him first and live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we see how, “there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…