Let It Be - Joshua 2:21

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him. And if you utter this our business, then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how Rahab told the two men, “according unto your words, so be it” where we read,

And she said, According unto your words, so be it. 

And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.

The verse reads, “And she said, According unto your words, so be it.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and she said” which means “and she, Rahab, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “according unto your words” or “in keeping with your, the two men’s, utterances, declarations and proclamations”, “so be it” which means “let it be thus and so”. Joshua or the writer declared how Rahab said to the two men that in keeping with their words it should exist. 

 

The verse continues, “And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window.” Joshua added the words, “and she sent them away” or “and she, Rahab, set free, dismissed and let them depart”, “and they departed” which means “and they, the two men, left and went away”: “and she bound the scarlet line” or “and she, Rahab, fastened and tied the crimson or scarlet colored rope or cord” “in the window” which means “within the opening and perforation in the wall of her house”. Joshua or the writer said Rahab let the two men depart and tied the crimson cord within the opening in the wall of her house. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Rahab committed to keep the agreement she made with the two men of Israel. She let them depart, and put the scarlet cord in the “window” of her house. Because she kept her commitment, her entire household was to be saved. God wants the same for us, and when we receive His Son Jesus who died 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 put His Holy Spirit within us so we are guided to the truth and given the ability to keep our commitments to Him and others in the world. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men, “came unto the mountain, and abode there three days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

If You Utter Our Business - Joshua 2:20

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you. And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the men told Rahab, what will happen, “if you utter this our business” where we read,

And if you utter this our business,

 then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.

The verse reads, “And if you utter this our business, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and if you utter” which means “and whether and in case you, Rahab, declare, proclaim and speak about” “this our business” or “this, the agreement, occupation and matter between the two men and Rahab” the following will happen. Joshua or the writer began to share what would happen if Rahab told anyone about the agreement that was made between her and the two men of Israel. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… then we will be quit of your oath which you have made us to swear.” Joshua continued with the words, “then we will be quit” or “at that time we, the two men and the people of Israel, free, clear, exempt and innocent” “of your oath” which means “pertaining to your, Rahab’s, attesting of innocence and promise” “which you have made us to swear” or “that you, Rahab, have fashioned, accomplished and caused us, the two men, for which to take an oath”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men told Rahab they would be innocent and free from their promise which she caused them to agree.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how the two men from Israel were serious about Rahab not telling anyone about their agreement. They told her if she spoke of it, they would be free from keeping the promise which she made them agree. God keeps His promises, and He wants us to do the same. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, Deuteronomy 23:21-23) He promised forgiveness of sins, everlasting life and the gift of His Holy Spirit when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. Let us yield to Him and allow God to reveal His promise to us as we keep our promises to Him and others. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how Rahab tells the two men, “according unto your words, so be it”, 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".

Upon His Own Head - Joshua 2:19

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the men told her, “when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you”, and in chapter two and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the men told Rahab, “whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head” where we read,

And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

The verse reads, “And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it shall be” which means “and the following shall happen and occur”, “that whosoever shall go out” or “that whatever person will depart, leave and exit” “of the doors” which means “through the portals, opening and entryways” “of your house” or “belonging to your, Rahab’s, habitation, abode and dwelling place” “into the street” which means “in the traveled road or pathway”, “his blood shall be upon his head” or “his, the person who exits the house’s, bloodshed will exist on his, the person’s, own head”, “and we will be guiltless” which means “and we, the two men and the people of Israel, shall exist as clean, free, exempt from guilt and innocent”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men told Rahab that whatever person exits her home and enters the traveled road would bring upon themselves their own bloodshed, and the two men and the people of Israel would be innocent. 

 

The verse continues, “and whosoever shall be with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.” Joshua added the words, “and whosoever shall be with you” or “and whatever person will accompany you, Rahab” “in the house” which means “within the habitation, abode and dwelling place”, “his blood” or “that person’s bloodshed” “shall be on our head” which means “will exist upon our, the two men and Israel’s, own top, summit, front and forefront”,  “if any hand be upon him” or “whether and in any case some hand of power, might and ability exist on him, the person who suffers bloodshed by the two men or the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men told Rahab that whatever person accompanies her inside her home, in case they suffer bloodshed, the bloodshed would be upon them and the people of Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the people who were within the house of Rahab at the time of the invasion of Israel were to be saved, however, should they venture out of the house and were killed, it would be their fault. If for some reason the person was within the house and they were slain, the fault would be upon the two men and the people of Israel. The idea is, it is necessary to be in the house and to remain within it. The same is true with those who receive God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to remain in our relationship with Him on earth and throughout all eternity. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men tell the woman what will happen, “if you utter this our business”, 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 Line of the Scarlet Thread - Joshua 2:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and she said to them “I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token. And that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may you go your way. And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this your oath which you have made us swear”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the two men told the woman, “you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window” where we read,

Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by: and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your  brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you.

The verse reads, “Behold, when we come into the land, you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which you did let us down by:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “behold, when we come into the land” which means “lo, look and consider, at the time and moment we, the two men and the people of Israel, enter the territory, region, district and city”, “you shall bind this line of scarlet thread” or “you, Rahab, are to knit and vigorously tie this crimson or scarlet colored cord which is properly from the insect 'coccus ilicis', the dried body of the female yielding coloring matter from which is made the dye used for cloth to color it scarlet or crimson” “in the window” which means “within the opening or perforation in the house wall” “which you did let us down by” or “that you, Rahab, through the means of the scarlet cord allowed us to descend and be brought down the wall”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men instructed Rahab to tie the scarlet cord that she put out of her “window” to allow them to escape, and when the people of Israel entered the land, she was also to do the following.

 

The verse goes on to say, “and you shall bring your father, and your mother, and your brethren, and all your father's household, home unto you.” Joshua continued with the words, “and you shall bring your father” or “and you, Rahab, are to carry and bring forth your, Rahab’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor”, “and your mother” which means “and your, Rahab’s, immediate female progenitor and ancestor”, “and your brethren” or “and your, Rahab’s, male siblings”, “and all your father’s household” which means “and each, every and the whole of your, Rahab’s, male progenitors’ dwelling, habitation and abode” “home unto you” or “to your, Rahab’s, habitation, dwelling place and abode”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men instructed Rahab to convey and move her “father, mother, brothers and all their family” into her home. 

When we consider words in this verse, we learn how the two men gave Rahab instructions concerning saving herself and her family when the people of Israel conquer her city. She was to tie the crimson or scarlet cord to her “window” that she put out to allow the two men to escape, and when the people of Israel came, they would see the cord and know it was her home. She was to gather her father, mother, brothers and all her family inside, and those within the house would be saved. This becomes a beautiful type of the salvation that is offered by God through His Son Jesus who came into the world to shed His crimson colored blood and die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He was 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 given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth. Jesus, in effect, is God’s “crimson cord”, and all who enter into a relation with Him shall be saved. Let all who read these words hear, understand and believe. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men told the woman, “whosoever shall go out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head”, 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".

 

Blameless of Our Oath - Joshua 2:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and the woman said to them, “I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token. And that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall. And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may you go your way”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of the  book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the men told Rahab, “we will be blameless of this your oath which you have made us swear” where we read,

And the men said unto her, 

We will be blameless of this your oath which you have made us swear.

The verse reads, “And the men said unto her, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the men” which means “and the male human beings from Israel” “said unto her” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to her, Rahab” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the “two men from Israel” uttered the following words to Rahab.

 

The verse continues, “we will be blameless of this your oath which you have made us swear.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “we will be blameless” or “we, the two men, shall exist as clean, free, innocent and exempt” “of this your oath” which means “pertaining to your, Rahab’s, attesting and sworn promise”, “which you have made us swear” or “that you, Rahab, have fashioned, accomplished and caused us, the two men, to adjure, take an oath and promise”. Joshua or the writer shared how the two men told Rahab they would be innocent concerning the promise given to her only if she followed their instructions. 

When we think through words in this verse, we learn how the two men from Israel told Rahab they would be exempt from keeping their promise to her only when she followed their instructions given to her. There was a condition placed upon this promise - Rahab was to tell no one about the two men. God has put only one condition on our salvation as well - believe in His Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and and was raised from the dead after three days. When we trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus, we will be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us keep our commitment to Him while we are being used in His Kingdom. (See Romans 10:9-10)

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men told the woman, “you shall bind this line of scarlet thread in the window”, 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".

Go to the Mountain - Joshua 2:16

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and she said to them “I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token. And that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you. Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall”, and in chapter two and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the woman, “said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you” where we read,

And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may you go your way.

The verse reads, “And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and she said unto them” which means “and she, Rahab, uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the two men from Israel”, “get you to the mountain” or “depart and proceed you, the two men, toward the rising of the hill or mountain range”, “lest the pursuers” which means “unless the followers and chasers” “meet you” or “light and fall upon you, the two men”. Joshua or the writer shared how Rahab told the two men to depart to the rising above the plain or the ones chasing after them would fall upon them.

 

The verse goes on to say, “and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may you go your way.” Joshua continued with the words, “and hide yourselves there” or “and conceal and make secret your own selves in the mountain” “three days” which means “for three sunrises to sunsets”, “until the pursuers” or “till the followers or chasers” “be returned” which means “have gone back”: “and afterward” or “and following the return of the chasers” “may you go your way” or “you, the two man of Israel, could proceed and depart upon your journey” Joshua or the writer shared how Rahab told the two men from Israel to conceal themselves for “three” sunrises to sunsets until the time when the ones chasing them would go back, then they could continue on their journey. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we discover how Rahab continued to give instructions to the two men of Israel. She told them to proceed to the rising above the plain and conceal themselves for “three days" or those who were chasing them would find them. After those “pursuing” them went back to their city, the two men could continue their travel. This was a wonderful plan, and God has a wonderful plan to save us as well. 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. Because of God’s provision through Jesus, He made the way through belief and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so we too shall have the wisdom to navigate God’s course for our lives according to His perfect plan and will.

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the two men told the woman the reason, “we will be blameless of this your oath which you have made us swear”, 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".

Let Down By a Cord - Joshua 2:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and she told them “I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have showed you kindness, that you will also show kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token. And that you will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if you utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you”, and in chapter two and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how “she let them down by a cord through the window” where we read,

Then she let them down by a cord through the window: 

for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

The verse reads, “Then she let them down by a cord through the window:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then she let them down” which means “at that time she, Rahab, caused the two men to descend, decline and sink down” “by a cord” or “though the use of a rope” “through the window” which means “out of the perforation or opening in the house”. Joshua or the writer shared how Rahab caused the two men from Israel to descend to the ground through the opening in her home.

 

The verse continues, “for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.” Joshua added the words, “for her house” or “because, since and on account that her, Rahab’s, abode, habitation and dwelling place” “was upon the town wall” which means “existed on the barrier of protection of the city”, “and she dwelt” or “and she, Rahab, abided and lived” “upon the wall” which means “on the barrier of protection of the city”. Joshua or the writer shared how Rahab’s dwelling place existed upon the barrier wall to the city of Jericho, and she lived within it. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how Rahab saved the two men from Israel. She allowed them to descend upon a rope through the perforation in her house which was located upon the barrier wall of the city of Jericho. We can imagine how all these things were set in order by Jehovah God well in advance of their need. This is how God works, and even when we don’t see Him at work, He is. God desires to have a personal relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who guide us into all truth and help us know how to work in practical ways to fulfill His will and desire for our lives. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the woman, “said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".