Priests Dipping in the Water - Joshua 3:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people”, and in chapter three and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water” where we read,

And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overflows all his banks all the time of harvest,)

The verse reads, “And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and as they that bare the ark” which means “and at the time they, the priests, who lifted up and carried the box or chest” “were come unto Jordan” or “arrived at 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)”, “and the feet of the priests” which means “and the physical feet belonging to the spiritual leaders, rulers, chiefs and officers” “that bare the ark” or “who lifted up and carried the box or chest” “were dipped in the brim of the water” which means “were plunged and immersed within the border and outskirts  pertaining to the flowing waters of the Jordan river”. Joshua or the writer shared at the time the “priests” who lifted up and carried the “ark of the covenant” had arrived at Jordan river and their physical feet were immersed within the border of the “water”, the following occurred.  

 

The verse goes on to say, “(for Jordan overflows all his banks all the time of harvest,)” Joshua continued with the words, “(for Jordan” or “because, since and on account that 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)” “overflows all his banks” which means “is filled and replenished within each, every and everyone of his, the Jordan river’s borders and edges” “all the time of harvest)” or “each, every and the whole time period or season pertaining to reaping”. Joshua or the writer parenthetically shared how the “Jordan” river over fills each and every one of it’s borders during the season of reaping.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the priest who were carrying the “ark of the covenant” arrived at the border of the Jordan river, immersed their feet within the “water” at the edge and did what we shall see in our next verse. The “banks” of Jordan river were “overflowing” with water at the season of the reaping, and if we use our imaginations, we can see the “priests with their feet in the water”. God’s plan was coming together, and He also has a plan for the salvation for every person who yields their life to 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 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 help us know when to go and what to do there.  

Next time we learn how, “the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap”, 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".

When the People Removed from Their Tents - Joshua 3:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, … command the priests … when you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan. And Joshua said … Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap”, and in chapter three and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “when the people removed from their tents” where we read,

And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan,

 and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “when the people” or “at the time and moment the human beings from Israel” “removed from their tents” which means “pulled out, set out and set forward on their journey and separated from their temporary abodes, habitations and dwelling places”, “to pass over Jordan” or “to cross Jordan whose name means descender and was was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”. We learn at the point the people of Israel departed from their “tents” to cross the “Jordan” river, the following also occurred.

 

The verse continues, “… and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;” Joshua added the words, “and the priests” or “and the spiritual leaders, chiefs and principal rulers” “bearing the ark of the covenant” which means “lifting up and carrying the box or chest pertaining to the alliance, pledge and agreement” “before the people” or “in advance and in front of the children of Israel”. We learn how the spiritual leaders who lifted up and carried the “ark of the covenant” went in advance of the children of Israel. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the time to begin to move toward the promise land had finally arrived for the children of Israel. They were to depart from their “tents” to cross over the Jordan river, and the “priests” or spiritual leaders were to lead them just as God instructed. God has His plan and timing for events in our lives, 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into the truth and according to our appointed times to depart and move.

Next time we learn how, “the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water”, 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 Feet of the Priests - Joshua 3:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, … command the priests … when you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into Jordan. Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man”, and in chapter three and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, Joshua shared what would happen, “as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD” where we read,

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

The verse reads, “And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it shall come to pass” which means “and the following will happen and occur”, “as soon as the soles of the feet” or “at the moment the bottom hollow or flat part pertaining to the physical feet” “of the priests” which means “belonging to the spiritual principal officers and chief rulers” “that bear the ark of the LORD” or “who lift up and carry the box or chest belonging to Jehovah whose name means the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” the following will happen. Joshua told the people how the following would happen at the moment the “priests” who were carrying the “ark of the covenant” put the bottom of their “feet” in the following place.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.” Joshua continued with the words, “the Lord of all the earth” or “the ruler, Yahweh, who rules over each, the whole and everything within the district, region, territory and world”, “shall rest in the waters” which means “will settle down, remain and have repose within the flowing transitory waters” “of Jordan” or “belonging to 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)”, “that the waters” which means “that the flowing transitory waters” “of Jordan” or “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)” “shall be cut off” which means “will exist as stopped and hewn down” “from the waters that come down from above” or “separate and apart from the flowing transitory waters that descend separate and apart from upstream”: “and they shall stand upon an heap” which means “and they, the waters of the Jordan, will remain, endure and continue as a pilling up or mound”. Joshua said at the moment the “priests” rested the soles of their feet into the Jordan river, the waters would stop flowing from upstream and pile up like a mound.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God was to do a miracle for the people of Israel as they crossed the “Jordan” river. Like Moses and the children of Israel crossing the Red Sea (See Exodus 14:19-22), God would again divide waters so the people of Israel could cross to the other side. This time rather than Moses’ rod held over the waters, the priests were to enter the waters, and when their feet were in the river, the waters would stop flowing from upstream and pile up into a mound. God’s work was to be accomplished, and although He varied the implementation, He was still at work in the lives of the people of Israel. God wants to work in our lives as well, and that work involves receiving His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, 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 know when He is working marvelously in our lives. 

Next time Joshua shares what happened, “when the people removed from their tents”, 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".

Take Out Twelve Men - Joshua 3:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua … when you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites. Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into Jordan”, and in chapter three and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, Joshua says, “take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel” where we read,

Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

The verse reads, “Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “Now therefore” which means “at this time wherefore, then and on this account” “take you twelve men” or “seize, fetch, lay hold of and acquire you, the children of Israel, twelve male human beings” “out of the tribes” which means “from the branches or clans” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua told the “children of Israel” to choose “twelve” male human beings from their “clans” who belong to “Israel”. 

 

The verse continues, “… out of every tribe a man.” Joshua added the words, “out of every tribe” or “from each, every and everyone of the branches or clans” “a man” which means “a male human being”. Joshua repeated the idea of choosing one male human being from each clan belonging to “Israel”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua continued to instruct the “children of Israel” concerning their crossing of the Jordan river. They were to select one male human being from each of the twelve “tribes” or clans belonging to “Israel”, and we shall see how these “men” were to be employed by Joshua. God had a plan, and He involved people who would accomplish His will. God has a plan for us as well, and He often gives us a step by step process to fulfill His desire. God knew we all have sinned and come short of His glory, (See Romans 3:23) and the wages for those sins is death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason He 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 put their faith and trust in Him will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and have His Holy Spirit put within them who will lead and guide them step by step to fulfill His will.

Next time Joshua tells what will happen, “as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD … shall rest in the waters of Jordan”, 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 Ark Passes Over Before You - Joshua 3:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, … when you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God. And Joshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites”, and in chapter three and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you” where we read,

Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before you into Jordan.

The verse reads, “Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “Behold, the ark of the covenant” which means “lo, look and consider, the box or chest pertaining to the alliance, league and agreement” “of the Lord” or “belonging to Yahweh who is proper name of God” “of all the earth” which means “pertaining to each, every and the whole of the land, territory, region, district and world”. Joshua instructed the “children of Israel” to look and consider how the “ark of the covenant” belonging to Jehovah God who rules and reigns over the entire world does the following. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… passes over before you into Jordan.” Joshua continued with the words, “passes over before you” or “marches, traverses and crosses in front and in advance of you, the children of Israel” “into Jordan” which means “in the 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 approximate 200 miles (320 km)”. Joshua told the “children of Israel” that the “ark of the covenant” was to cross the River Jordan in advance and in the presence of them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua drew the “children of Israel’s” attention to the “ark of the covenant” which represented the presence of Jehovah God. The “ark” was to be carried by the priests to cross the Jordan river in advance of the people of Israel, and because God would go before them, Israel’s best position was just to follow Him. God wants the same for us. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose from the dead after three days, all who put their faith and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and teach them the value of following the presence of God rather than attempting to lead Him. 

Next time Joshua says, “take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel”, 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".

Knowing the Living God is Among You - Joshua 3:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, … you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan. And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God”, and in chapter three and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “hereby you shall know that the living God is among you” where we read,

And Joshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

The verse reads, “And Joshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name mean Jehovah is salvation” “said unto the children of Israel” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed 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”, “hereby you shall know” which means “by this you, the offspring of Israel, will perceive, discern, distinguish and understand” “that the living God” or “that the alive and active Supreme Deity” “is among you” which means “exists in the midst and middle of you, the children of Israel”. Joshua told the offspring of “Israel” that they would perceive that Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity at the time the following event occurs. 

 

The verse continues, “…and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and that he will without fail” or “and that he, the Supreme Deity Jehovah God shall seize, dispossess, take possession of and occupy and” “drive out before you” which means “seize, dispossess, take possession of and occupy in front and in the presence of you, the children of Israel” “the Canaanites” or “the people from Canaan whose name means zealous”, “and the Hittites” which means “and the people who were descendants of Heth which was the second son of Canaan and were once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey) and later in north Lebanon”, “and the Hivites” or “and the people known as villagers and were the sixth generation of descendants of Canaan, the son of Ham, who were living in northern Canaan near Mount Hermon at the time of the conquest”, “and the Perizzites” which means “and the people known as ‘belonging to a village’ who inhabited southern Canaan prior to the conquest” “and the Girgashites” or “and the people who were also known as the Girgasites whose name means dwelling on a clayey soil and were descendants of Canaan and one of the nations living east of the sea of Galilee when the Israelites entered the promised land”, “and the Amorites” whose name means “a sayer and were one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “and the Jebusites” who were  “the descendants of Jebus and were descendants of the third son of Canaan who lived in or around the site of Jebus which was the early name for Jerusalem”. Joshua told the “children of Israel” that Jehovah God would dispossess and seize the territory which belonged to the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and the Jebusites.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua began to share with the “children of Israel” how Jehovah God would work on their behalf. All these pagan territories were to be “driven out” and seized by the power of Almighty God, and each of these regions would become “Israel’s” promised land. God works in the lives of people who surrender to 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 submit 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 defeat our foes and enemies in keeping with His Divine purpose and plan. (See Ephesians 6:12)

Next time Joshua says, “the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passes over before 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".

Hear the Words of the LORD - Joshua 3:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan”, and in chapter three and verse nine of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua told the people of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD” where we read,

And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, 

and hear the words of the LORD your God.

The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “said unto the children of Israel” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed 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”, “Come here” which means “approach and draw close to this location”. Joshua instructed the offspring of “Israel” to draw near to him.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and hear the words of the LORD your God.” Joshua added the words, “and hear the words” or “and perceive, discern, distinguish and understand the utterances, declarations and proclamations” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “your God” or “your, the children of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua told the “children of Israel” to perceive and understand the utterances from Jehovah God.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua addressed the offspring of “Israel” by telling them to draw near to him so they could perceive and understand Jehovah Gods’ declarations. God used Joshua to speak to the people of “Israel”, and because He loves them, He desires that they not only “hear” Him, but also obey what He has to say. The same is true for us. God wants us to know Him and His words through a personal relationship with Him by His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He was raised 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to the truth that we “hear” from Him. (See James 4:8)

Next time Joshua says, “hereby you shall know that the living God is among 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".