The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Priests Standing in the Middle of Jordan - Joshua 4:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day”, and in chapter four and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we see how, “the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan” where we read,

For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

The verse reads, “For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for the priests” which means “because, since and on account that the spiritual leaders, chiefs and official” “which bare the ark” or “who lifted up and carried the box or chest” “stood in the midst of Jordan” which means “remained standing within the middle of 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)”, “until every thing was finished” or “till such time as each, the whole and all acts and deeds were completed” “that the LORD commanded Joshua” which means “that Jehovah whose name means ‘the existing One’ and is the proper name for the One True God, charged and ordered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “to speak unto the people” or “to utter, declare and proclaim unto the human beings belonging to Israel”. Joshua or the writer referred to how the spiritual leaders remained standing within the middle of the “Jordan” river till such time and all that Jehovah God ordered “Joshua” to declared to the people was completed.

The verse goes on to say, “… according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.” Joshua continued with the words, “according to all” or “in keeping with each, every and the whole” “that Moses commanded Joshua” which means “that Moses, whose name means drawn and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus, charged and ordered Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”: “and the people” or “and the human beings belonging to Israel” “hasted and passed over” which means “were impetuous and quickly and hurriedly crossed the river Jordan”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel everything that “Moses” charged him to tell, and the people of Israel quickly crossed over the river “Jordan”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua not only obeyed the orders of Jehovah God, but those orders were in keeping with the charge given to him by “Moses”. The spiritual leaders were to remain standing within the middle of the “Jordan” river till such time that every act and deed was accomplished in keeping with what “Moses” and Jehovah God told “Joshua”, and they did. The people not only “crossed” the river, but they did so in a hurried manner. God’s will was being fulfilled, and the people of Israel were entering the promise land. God wants us to enter His promise land - Heaven, and He made the way to enter Heaven 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will lead, guide and empower us to live according to His truth and in a manner that is pleasing to Him as we journey toward Heaven to be with Him forever.

Next time we see what happened, “when all the people were clean passed over”, 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".

Joshua Set Up Twelve Stones - Joshua 4:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spoke unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there”, and in chapter four and verse nine of the book of Joshua, we see how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan” where we read,

And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

The verse reads, “And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “set up twelve stones” or “erected and established twelve large rocks” “in the midst of Jordan” which means “in the middle of 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)”, “in the place” or “within the location” “where the feet of the priests” which means “in which the physical feet belonging to the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “which bare the ark of the covenant stood” or “who lifted up and carried the box or chest belonging to the alliance, pledge, treaty and agreement, were standing and remained in place”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” established “twelve large rocks” in the middle of the “Jordan” river at the location where the spiritual leaders were standing with the “ark of the covenant”.

The verse continues, “… and they are there unto this day.” Joshua added the words, “and they are there” or “and they, the twelve large rocks, exist within that location” “unto this day” which means “to the very sunrise to sunset of this writing”. Joshua or the writer declared that the “twelve stones” established by “Joshua” in the middle of the “Jordan” river remain in that location to the very day of this writing.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” established “twelve stones” in the middle of the “Jordan” river in the place that the spiritual leaders were standing with the “ark of the covenant” as the children of Israel crossed over to the other side. These stones remained in place to the very day of this writing. Once again these were reminders of the work God did on behalf of the people of Israel. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He knew we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23) and the “wages” for those sin is death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for all who put their 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 constantly remind us of God’s love and commitment to us which was demonstrated by Jesus’s death on the cross. (See John 16:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Next time we see how, “the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Children of Israel Obey - Joshua 4:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel. That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean you by these stones? Then you shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever”, and in chapter four and verse eight of the book of Joshua, we see how, “the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded” where we read,

And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spoke unto Joshua, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded, and took up twelve stones out of the midst of Jordan, as the LORD spoke unto Joshua, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and 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” “did so as Joshua commanded” or “fashioned, accomplished, produced and worked even like Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation, ordered and charged”, “and took up twelve stones” which means “and lifted up and carried twelve large rocks” “of the midst of Jordan” or “from the middle of 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)”, “as the LORD” which means “like unto Jehovah who is ‘the existing One’ and is the proper name for the One True God” “spoke unto Joshua” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” obeyed “Joshua’s” order and lifted up “twelve large rocks” from the middle of the “Jordan” river in keeping with Jehovah God’s instructions to “Joshua”.

The verse goes on to say, “… according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and carried them over with them unto the place where they lodged, and laid them down there.” Joshua continued with the words, “according to the number” or “in keeping with the tale or count” “of the tribes” which means “pertaining to the clans” “of the children of Israel” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny of Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and carried them over with them” which means “and traversed, passed along and went in advance with them, the twelve large stones, alongside them, the twelve men” “unto the place where they have lodged” or “to the location and spot in which they, the people of Israel, caravanserai or encamped”, “and laid them down there” which means “and put, set and established them, the twelve stones, in that place and location”. Joshua or the writer said that in keeping the “twelve clans of Israel”, the “twelve stones” were transported across the “Jordan” river and set up as a memorial in the location where the people of Israel were to camp.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the “twelve men” from the “twelve clans” of Israel obeyed Joshua’s order, took the “twelve stones” from the “Jordan” river, crossed the river with them and set them up as a memorial in the location of the encampment of the people of Israel. Each of these steps were important for the people of Israel to obey, and in like manner as God leads us by His Holy Spirit, we are to obey Him. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so all who believe and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide them in keeping with His perfect purpose and will for their lives. Let all who read these words yield to God’s way and not another, for there is no better way to be led than by the Spirit of the Living God.

Next time we see how, “Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Waters of Jordan Cut Off - Joshua 4:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel. That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean you by these stones?”, and in chapter four and verse seven of the book of Joshua, Joshua told the twelve men when their children ask questions about the twelve stones, “answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD” where we read,

Then you shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

The verse reads, “Then you shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then you shall answer them” which means “at that time, when the children of Israel ask questions concerning the twelve stones, you, the immediate male progenitors of Israel, are to respond to them, the children”, “that the waters” or “that the flowing water streams” “of Jordan” which means “belonging to 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)” “were cut off” or “existed as stopped and hewn down” “before the ark” which means “in front and in advance of the box or chest” “of the covenant” or “pertaining to the alliance, pledge, treaty and agreement” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. Joshua told the twelve men that they were to respond to their questioning children by telling them the flowing waters of the “Jordan” river were stopped in advance of Jehovah God’s “ark of the covenant’s” crossing.

The verse continues, “when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.” Joshua added the words, “when it passed over Jordan” or “at the time and moment it, the ark of the covenant, crossed 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)”, “the waters of Jordan” which means “the flowing water streams belonging to Jordan whose name means descender” “were cut off” or “existed as stopped and hewn down”: “and these stones” which means “and the twelve large rocks” “shall be for a memorial” or “will exist as a memento, reminder and record” “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” “for ever” or “for long duration, futurity, evermore and perpetually”. Joshua told the “twelve men” at the time the “ark of the covenant” crossed over the “Jordan” river, the water streams of the river were stopped, and the “twelve stones” would be a reminder of this event for long duration and perpetually.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua obeyed Jehovah God’s directive concerning the “twelve stones” and the memorial they would serve to the people of Israel. God was to do a great work in their midst, and lest they forget His provision, they were to look upon this place of remembrance and be reminded of God’s work. God wants us to call to mind places in our lives that He has provided for and protected us. His greatest provision was when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raise Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and belief in Him and our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us remember what Jesus did for us at the “cross” which is one of the greatest memorials in the world.

Next time we see how, “the children of Israel did so as Joshua commanded”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Sign Among You - Joshua 4:6

That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean you by these stones?

The verse reads, “That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “that this may be a sign among you” which means “so this, the taking up of the twelve stones, might exist as a signal, distinguishing mark, banner, token and remembrance in the midst of you, the children of Israel”, “that when your children” or “so at the time and moment your, the children of Israel’s, offspring and progeny” “ask their fathers” which means “question their immediate male progenitors and ancestors” “in time to come” or “in the future”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking” the following words. Joshua told the twelve chosen men that the “twelve stones” would exist as a memorial to the people of Israel so at the time and moment their children question them concerning the following, they would have an answer.

The verse goes on to say, “… What mean you by these stones? Joshua added the words, “what mean you” or “whatsoever do you, fathers of the children of Israel, intend or indicate” “by these stones” which means “through the means of these large rocks”? Joshua told the twelve men how their offspring would wonder what is the significance of the “twelve stones”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua was to be concerned about the questioning of future generations concerning the “twelve stones”. These “large rocks” were to be a place of remembrance for the people of Israel concerning Jehovah God working on their behalf. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He knows they and we are subject to forget His provision, and sometimes a “stone or stones of remembrance” are what is necessary to remind us of His love. When God sent His Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, that event became a memorial for all who will yield their lives to Him as their “Savior and Lord”. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and remind us of the “cross” any time we question His presence, commitment and love toward us.

Next time we see how Joshua told the twelve men concerning when their children ask questions about the twelve stones, “answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Twelve Men Called - Joshua 4:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua called the twelve men, whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man”, and in chapter four and verse five of the book of Joshua, we see how Joshua told the twelve men, “pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan” where we read,

And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan,…” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the twelve men from the clans of the children of Israel”, “pass over before the ark of the LORD your God” which means “cross prior to and in advance of the box or chest belonging to Jehovah whose name means ‘the existing One’ and the proper name for the One True God” “into the midst of Jordan” or “in the middle of the Jordan river 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)”. Joshua instructed the “twelve men” from the clans of the people of Israel to cross to the middle of the river “Jordan” in advance of Jehovah God’s “ark of the covenant”.

The verse continues, “… and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:” Joshua added the words, “and take you up” or “and lift up you, the twelve men” “every man of you” which means “each, the whole and everyone of the twelve men” “a stone upon his shoulder” or “a large rock on his, the twelve men’s, shoulders of the body”, “according to the number of the tribes” which means “in keeping with the tale or count pertaining to the clans” “of the children” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua instructed the “twelve men” to all lift up a large rock on their “shoulder” in keeping with the count of the clans belonging to Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” was carrying out God’s plan to have “twelve stones” from the middle of the “Jordan” river removed by the “twelve men” chosen from the “twelve clans” of Israel. God wanted the people of Israel to remember what He did for them as they entered the promise land, and He wants us to remember what He did for us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die 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 will guide us into all truth and lead us according to His perfect will and plan for our lives.

Next time we see how Joshua told the twelve men, “that this may be a sign among you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Twelve Men Called - Joshua 4:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over Jordan, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, take you twelve men out of the people, out of every tribe a man, And command you them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and you shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where you shall lodge this night”, and in chapter four and verse four of the book of Joshua, we see how, “Joshua called the twelve men” where we read,

Then Joshua called the twelve men,

whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:

The verse reads, “Then Joshua called the twelve men, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then Joshua” which means “at that time Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “called the twelve men” or “summoned , commissioned and appointed the twelve male human beings”. At that time “Joshua” summoned the “twelve men” in keeping with the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… whom he had prepared of the children of Israel, out of every tribe a man:” Joshua continued with the words, “whom he had prepared” or “that he, Joshua, made firm, stable and established” “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 descendants of Jacob”, “out of every tribe a man” or “a male human being from each, the whole and everyone of the clans”. We learn how these “twelve men” belonging to the offspring of “Israel” and from each of the clans were established by “Joshua”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” obeyed Jehovah God’s charge to summon the “twelve men” from the offspring of Israel which included choosing one “man” from each of the clans to establish them. These men would be used to set up a memorial of what God did for the people of Israel when He dried up the “Jordan” river so all the people of Israel could cross it. God promised the people of Israel that they would enter the promise land, and we are seeing the fulfillment of that promise through “Joshua” and the people of Israel. God has given us a promise that He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. Let all who read these words yield to Jesus and allow God to choose them to exist and work in His Kingdom.

Next time we see how Joshua told the twelve men, “pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…