Blessing the People of Israel - Joshua 8:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua, “wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-three of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua was reminded that, “they should bless the people of Israel” where we read, 

And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

The verse reads, “And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all Israel” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the people of Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and their elders” or “and their, the people of Israel’s, aged and older men with authority”, “and officers”, which means “and scribes, overseers and official superintendents or magistrates”, “and their judges” or “and their, the people of Israel’s, governors, law-givers and litigators”, “stood on this side the ark” which means “continued, withstood, were established and waited upon this particular side of the chest or box” “and on that side” or “and upon that particular side” “before the priests” which means “in advance, in front and in the presence of the spiritual principal officers and chief rulers” “the Levites” or “the descendants of Levi whose name means joined to and was the tribe who were the tribe from Jacob who were specially set aside by God for His service”, “which bare the ark” which means “that lifted up and carried the chest or box” “of the covenant” or “pertaining to the alliance, treaty, pledge and agreement” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. Joshua or the writer shared how everyone in “Israel” including their aged men, the overseers, the governors and litigators were standing on both sides of the “ark of the covenant” in the presence of the spiritual leaders and the Levitical servants who were carrying the “ark”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “as well the stranger” which means “including the sojourner, foreigner and newcomer”, “as he that was born among them” or “and the person who was native born in the midst of them, the people of Israel”; “half of them” which means “one-half of them, the people of Israel” “over against mount Gerizim” or “toward the rising of the plain or mounds known as Gerizim whose name means cuttings off and was a mountain in northern Israel in Ephraim near Shechem from which the blessings were read to the Israelites on entering Canaan”, “and half of them” or “and one-half of them, the people of Israel” “over against mount Ebal” which means “toward the rising of the plain or mounds known as Ebal whose name means ‘stone or bare mountain’ and was the mountain of cursing which was north of Shechem and opposite Mount Garizim”; “as Moses” or “similar and in likeness to the way Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant to the LORD” which means “the man of servile condition, slave or bondman to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “had commanded before” or “had ordered and charged prior to and in advance”, “that they should bless” which means “that they, the people located on the mountains, are to praise and salute” “the people of Israel” or “the human beings belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel whether “native born” in Israel or a foreigner who came into Israel were to divide into two groups and have one group on the mountain of “Gerizim” and the other on the mountain of “Ebal” to give praise and honor to Jehovah God.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the continuation of honoring Jehovah God was implemented by Joshua and the people of Israel. All of Israel was gathered together including the authorities, officials, governors, litigators and spiritual leaders. They were to divide themselves into two groups which would align themselves on mountains that were across from one another even as Moses did before they entered the promise land. (See Deuteronomy 27:12-13) We shall learn more about this event in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful of the purpose of this worship of Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us as well. When we yield to 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 guide us into all truth and encourage us to bestow honor and praise unto God for who He is and what He has done. 

Next time we learn how Joshua, “read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings”, 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".

 

A Copy of the Law of Moses - Joshua 8:32

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-two of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua, “wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses” where we read, 

And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, 

which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.

The verse reads, “And he wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he wrote” which means “and he, Joshua, inscribed and engraved” “there upon the stones” or “in that place on the large rocks” “a copy of the law”, which means “a direct double or repetition pertaining to the direction, instruction and body of legal directives” “of Moses” or “belonging to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” inscribed  on the altar a direct repetition of the legal directive belonging to “Moses” which was given to him by Jehovah God.

 

The verse continues, “… which he wrote in the presence of the children of Israel.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “which he wrote” which means “that he, Joshua, inscribed and engraved” “in the presence” or “before and within the face” “of the children of Israel” which means “belonging 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”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” inscribed the “law of Moses” upon the “altar” before the face of the offspring and progeny belonging to “Israel”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” inscribed the directives or commandments given to “Moses” by Jehovah God upon the “stones” which he used to make an “altar” to God. He did this in the presence of all the people of “Israel”, and this shows us the importance of worshiping God and keeping His word. God knew what was best for “Israel”, and He knows what is best for us. He loves us, and He proved His love by sending 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. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of worshiping Him and obeying His instructions and directives for our lives. 

Next time we learn how Joshua was reminded that, “they should bless the people 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".

As Moses Commanded - Joshua 8:31

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, …”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-one of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel” where we read, 

As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

The verse reads, “As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “as Moses” which means “similar and in likeness to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” or “the man of servile condition, slave and bondman belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “commanded the children of Israel”, which means “ordered and charged 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”, “as it is written” or “in the manner that there exists a record, engraving and decree” “ in the book” which means “within the missive, document and written order” “of the law of Moses” or “pertaining to the direction, instruction and body of legal directives belonging to Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer referred to the way “Moses” ordered and charged the offspring belonging to “Israel” even like it is inscribed within “Moses’” missive of instruction. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… an altar of whole stones, over which no man has lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “an altar of whole stones” which means “a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship constructed with perfectly finished and prepared rocks”, “over which no man” or “that upon the rocks not any person” “has lift up any iron” which means “has raised or erected a single utensil or implement of harshness, strength or oppression made with iron”: “and they offered thereon” or “and they, the people of Israel, ascended, climbed and placed upon the altar” “burnt offerings” which means “sacrifices which were burned with flames” “unto the LORD” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”, “and sacrificed peace offerings” which means “and slaughtered sacrifices of calm and tranquility”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” established a sacrificial place constructed with large rocks upon which no iron utensil or implement had touched, and the people of Israel placed animals which were burned upon it as a sacrifice of calm and tranquility to Jehovah God. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel continued to worship Jehovah God after defeating the people of “Ai”. “Joshua” erected a sacrificial place in the fashion described within the “law of Moses”, and the people offered burned animal sacrifices of calm and tranquility upon the altar toward Jehovah God. (See Exodus 18:12; 20:24, 25; 24:5) God is worthy of worship and praise, and acknowledging Him before and after victories is not only important but essential to our relationship with Him. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross and raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to 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 teach us the value of presenting sacrifices of praise, honor and glory to our peace giving God. 

Next time we learn how Joshua, “wrote there upon the stones a copy of the law of Moses”, 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 Builds an Altar - Joshua 8:30

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains unto this day”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel” where we read, 

Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

The verse reads, “Then Joshua built an altar …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then Joshua” which means “at that time Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “built an alter” or “erected, established and set up a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” set up a place of sacrifice and worship after the king of “Ai” was dead and covered with stones.

 

The verse continues, “… unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “unto the LORD God” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God and Supreme Deity” “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” “in mount Ebal” which means “within the mountain or range of hills known as Ebal whose name means stone or bare mountain and was a mountain of cursing, north of Shechem and opposite Mount Gerizim”.  Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” erected an “altar” within the mountain known as “Ebal” to Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity belonging to Israel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” erected a place of slaughter, sacrifice and worship to Jehovah God within the mountain known as “Ebal” immediately after conquering the “city of Ai” and it’s king. Worship was on “Joshua’s” mind because he knew Jehovah God delivered “Ai” to him and the people of Israel. God wants us to ever be mindful that our victories come from Him, and when we take the time to worship Him before and after conquests, He is blessed and so are we. God’s greatest victory on our behalf was when He sent His Son Jesus into the world 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 through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of worshiping God for who He is, what He has done and for what He is going to do in our lives. 

Next time we learn how Joshua refers to how, “Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children 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".

Hung on a Tree - Joshua 8:29

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-nine of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide” where we read, 

And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains unto this day.

The verse reads, “And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the king of Ai” which means “and the royal ruler and leader belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “he hanged on a tree” or “he, Joshua, suspended and put to death by hanging on a tree” “until eventide” which means “even till and unto the evening time or sunset”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” suspended the royal ruler of “Ai” on a “tree” till the evening time came. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcass down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city,” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and as soon as the sun was down” which means “and at sunset or the moment or coming near of the sun descending”, “Joshua commanded” or “Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation, charged and ordered” “that they should take his carcass down” which means “that they, the men of Israel, were to lower and get down his, the royal ruler of Ai’s, corpse” “from the tree” or “separate and apart from the tree”, “and cast it at the entering of the gate” which means “and hurl or throw it, the carcass of the royal ruler of Ai, at the opening, entrance or doorway pertaining to the port” “of the city” or “belonging to the dwelling place or town of Ai”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” ordered that the corpse of the royal ruler of “Ai” be lowered from the “tree” and thrown in front of the port opening of “Ai”. 

Finally the verse says, “and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remains unto this day.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “and raise thereon” which means “and set, establish and impose on the corpse of the royal ruler of Ai” “a great heap of stones” or “a massive and large mound of rocks”, “that remains” which means “that continues” “unto this day” or “to that particular time period or season”. Joshua or the writer ended this verse by sharing how “Joshua” instructed his men to establish a massive amount of rocks over the dead body of the royal ruler of “Ai”, and that mound of rocks continued to be in place to the day this book was written.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn what happened to the “king of Ai” after he was brought to “Joshua”. “Joshua” ordered that the royal ruler be hung "on a tree” till sunset, and after he was dead, the king’s body was to be extracted from the “tree” and thrown in front of the entryway to the “city of Ai”. “Joshua” also ordered his men to establish a huge amount of rocks over the “king’s” dead body, and that mound remained in place to the writing of this book. “Joshua” followed the will and purpose of Almighty God, and because God loves the people of Israel, their enemies were to be completely destroyed. God knows “sin” is as an enemy in our lives because it leads to death and eternal separation from Him. (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 when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He conquered sin and death and 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 give us assurance that our enemy, sin, has been destroyed and it need not have victory over us any longer. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:18; Romans 8:2)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God 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".

Joshua Burnt Ai and Made It a Heap - Joshua 8:28

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand. back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap” where we read, 

And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

The verse reads, “And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “burnt Ai” or “set Ai, whose name means heap of ruins, on fire”, “and made it an heap” which means “and caused it to be a mound or elevation of ruins” “for  ever” or “perpetually, without end and evermore”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire which caused it to be a mound of ruins perpetually. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… even a desolation unto this day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “even a desolation” which means “also and indeed a wasted and devastation” “unto this day” or “to the current time period or season”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ai” was indeed as a wasted devastation to that current time period. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire and caused it to be a mound of ruins and devastation to that current time period. “Ai” and it’s “inhabitants” were destroyed, and the plan of God was fulfilled. God hates evil and wickedness, and because sin causes us to be separated from a personal relationship with Him, 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 day so 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 cleanse us from all unrighteousness which will be buried like a “heap of ruins” similar to “Ai’. 

Next time we learn how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide”, 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".