This Day Will I Magnify You - Joshua 3:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people”, and in chapter three and verse seven of the book of Joshua, the writer shared how Jehovah God told Joshua, “this day will I begin to magnify you” where we read,

And 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.

The verse reads, “And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “said unto Joshua” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “this day will I begin to magnify you” which means “this particular sunrise to sunset shall I, Jehovah God, start and initiate making you, Joshua, great, important, advanced and powerful” “in the sight” or “within the appearance, countenance and presence” “of all Israel” which means “belonging to each, every and everyone of the people of Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and nation of dependents of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God said that particular “day” He would make Joshua great in the presence of everyone of the people in “Israel”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” Joshua continued with the words, “that they may know that” or “so they, the people of Israel, shall perceive, discern, distinguish and understand that”, “as I was with Moses” which means “similar and in likeness to the way I, Jehovah God, existed alongside Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “so I will be with you” or “also and indeed shall I, Jehovah God, exist in the midst and alongside you, people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told Joshua because He would make him great in the presence of all the people of Israel, they would understand that in likeness to the way He was with Moses, He would be with Joshua too. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how Jehovah God involved Himself in this process. He told Joshua that He would make him exceedingly advanced in the presence of all “Israel”, and this would make them know that as He accompanied “Moses”, He would be with “Joshua”. God loves people, and because He is no respecter of persons, (See Acts 10:34) He will save every one of us when we yield our lives 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and make us exceedingly great in His presence and those who surround us. (See John 16:13, Acts 1:8)

Next time Jehovah God tells Joshua, “you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant”, 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 Up the Ark of the Covenant - Joshua 3:6

In the book of Joshua, Joshua told the people of Israel, “Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you”, and in chapter three and verse six of the book of Joshua, Joshua told the priests to, “take up the ark of the covenant” where we read,

And Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.

The verse reads, “And Joshua spoke unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua spoke” which means “and Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto the priests” or “to the principal or chief spiritual leaders”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “take up the ark” or “lift up, carry and take the box or chest” “of the covenant” which means “pertaining to the alliance, pledge, treaty, league and agreement”, “and pass over before the people” or “and march, traverse and go in front and in advance of the human beings both male and female”. Joshua gave instructions to the “priests” to lift up and carry the “ark of the covenant” and march with it in front of the “people” “of Israel.

 

The verse continues, “and they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.” Joshua added the words, “and they took up the ark” or “and they, the priests, lifted up and carried the box or chest” “of the covenant” which means “pertaining to the alliance, pledge, treaty, league and agreement”, “and went before the people” or “and departed, proceeded, moved and lead in advance of the human beings of Israel both male and female”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “priests” lifted up and carried Jehovah God’s “ark of the covenant” in front of the “people” of Israel. 

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua instructed the “priests” concerning lifting up and carrying of the “ark of the covenant” in front of the people of Israel, and they obeyed him. God wants us to hear His voice, (See John10:27) and when we do, we will realize He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. This was done on our behalf, and when we receive Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit to us so we will learn to “follow” Him and always allow His “ark of the covenant”, His presence, to go before us. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all 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".

Sanctify Yourselves - Joshua 3:5

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host. And they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place, and go after it. Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore”, and in chapter three and verse five of the book of Joshua, Joshua told the people to, “sanctify yourselves” where we read,

And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: 

for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means God is salvation” “said unto the people” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the human beings of Israel both male and female”, “sanctify yourselves” which means “consecrate, prepare, dedicate and hallow your own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua told the “people” of Israel to prepare and dedicate their own selves. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.” Joshua continued with the words, “for tomorrow” or “because, since and on account that on the following day” “the LORD will do wonders” which means “Jehovah whose name means the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God shall perform and produce marvelous, wonderful, surpassing and extraordinary miracles” “among you” or “in the midst and middle of you, the people of Israel”. Joshua told the people of Israel that Jehovah God would perform extraordinary miracles in the midst of them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua as the new leader of Israel spoke to the people directly as he instructed them to set apart and dedicate themselves because Jehovah God was to perform extraordinary miracles in the midst of them on the next day. We can imagine hearing these wonderful words, and as Joshua and the people of Israel were to finally enter the promise land, God was going before them and they needed to prepare for His work. God wants to work in our lives as well, and when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins 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 shall lead and guide us into His truth as He works His marvelous miracles within our midst. 

Next time Joshua tells the priests, “take up the ark of the covenant”, 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 Space Between the Ark - Joshua 3:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host. And they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place, and go after it”, and in chapter three and verse four of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how the officers said, “there shall be a space between you and it” where we read,

Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore.

The verse reads, “Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “yet there shall be a space” which means “howbeit, surely and indeed there is to exist a distance”, “between you and it” or “betwixt and from one to the other from you, the people of Israel, and the ark of the covenant”, “about two thousand cubits by measure” which means “around two thousand eighteen inch long measures in size and portion”. Joshua or the writer instructed the people of Israel to keep a distance of around three thousand feet between themselves and the ark of the covenant.

 

The verse continues, “come not near unto it, that you may know the way by which you must go: for you have not passed this way heretofore.” Joshua added the words, “come not near unto it” or “do not approach or be close to the ark of the covenant”, “that you may know the way” which means “so you, the people of Israel, might perceive, discern and distinguish the path of travel” “by which you must go” or “through which you, the people of Israel, are to depart, proceed and move”: “for you have not passed this way heretofore” which means “because, since and on account that you have in no way or manner marched, traversed or crossed this traveled path in the past”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “officers” continued to instruct the people of Israel by ordering them not to approach and to keep distant from the ark of the covenant, so they would have knowledge of the path they were to travel. In the past, they had not traveled or crossed this path. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the people of Israel were to keep a great distance (about three thousand feet) between themselves and the ark of God. This would allow them to see the direction they were to march, and because they had never been upon this traveled road before, they were not to approach and keep their distance from God’s ark. God loves people, and He is Holy. He alone has provided salvation through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives 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 help us step by step to “follow” Him with our journeys and future in His hands. 

Next time we learn how Joshua told the people to, “sanctify yourselves”, 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".

Commanding the People - Joshua 3:3

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host”, and in chapter three and verse three of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how, “they commanded the people” where we read,

And they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place, and go after it.

The verse reads, “And they commanded the people, saying, When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they commanded the people” which means “and the officers charged and ordered the human beings of Israel both male and female”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “when you see the ark” which means “at the time and moment you, the people of Israel, perceive, discern and observe the box or chest” “of the covenant” or “pertaining to the alliance, pledge, league and treaty” “of the LORD your God” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God and the Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “officers” over Israel charged the “people” by telling them at the time and moment they observe Jehovah God’s chest of alliance” they were to act in the following manner.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… and the priests the Levites bearing it, then you shall remove from your place, and go after it.” Joshua continued with the words, “and the priests” or “and the principals, officers and chief spiritual leaders” “the Levites bearing it” which means “the members of the tribe of Levi whose name means joined to and was, the tribe descended from Levi specially set aside by God for His service, lifting up and carrying the ark of the covenant”, “then you shall remove from your place” or “at that time you, the people of Israel, are to leave and depart from your, the people of Israel’s, location”, “and go after it” which means “and depart, leave, proceed and move following Jehovah’s ark of the covenant”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “officers” also referred to how the “priests and Levites” would lift up and carry the “ark of the covenant” forward, and the people were to follow after them. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the “officers” turned their attention toward the people of Israel as they gave them “orders” concerning their movement into the promise land. They were to watch when the “priests the Levites” lifted up and carried Jehovah God’s “ark of the covenant” which represented His presence, and as these spiritual leaders moved, they were leave their location and follow them. Jesus told His disciples, “follow me” (See Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; 16:24), and He gives that same instruction to us. (See Matthew 16:24) Jesus was sent by His Father God into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose from the grave after three days, He made the way through faith and belief in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to know when He is leading us to move or stay in our location. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how the officers say, “there shall be a space between you and 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".

 

After Three Days - Joshua 3:2

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote “Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over”, and in chapter three and verse two of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared what happened, “after three days” where we read,

And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;

The verse reads, “And it came to pass after three days, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred” “after three days” or “following three sunrises to sunsets”. Joshua referred to the following event which occurred when “three days” had passed by. 

 

The verse continues, “… that the officers went through the host;” Joshua added the words, “that the officers” or “that the official superintendents, magistrates and overseers” “went through the host” which means “passed over, traversed and experienced the camp or encampment of people”. Joshua or the writer shared how the official overseers traversed the camp of the people of Israel.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the progress of Joshua and the children of Israel as they were on the cusp of entering the promise land. They were stationed beside the Jordan river, and for “three days” they remained encamped. The overseers traversed the camp where the people were, and we shall see how they obey God and advance in our future verses. God wants us to be in a close personal relationship like this with Him through 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 put our faith 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 let us know when to wait and when to move according to His perfect will and plan.

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how, “they commanded the people”, 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 Arose Early in the Morning - Joshua 3:1

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and after getting them to agree to save her and her family, she “sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days, until the pursuers were returned: and the pursuers sought them throughout all the way, but found them not. So the two men returned, and descended from the mountain, and passed over, and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and told him all things that befell them. And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD has delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-five of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how, “Joshua arose early in the morning” where we read,

And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, 

he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

The verse reads, “And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation”, “rose early in the morning” or “started betimes in the morning to the day”: “and they removed from Shittim” which means “and they, the children of Israel, journeyed, marched and set forward from Shittm whose name means the acacias and was the place of Israel's encampment between the conquest of the transjordanic region and crossing the Jordan into Canaan”, “and came to Jordan” or “and resorted to and were brought 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)”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua got up early in the morning of the day, and he and the people of Israel left “Shittim” until they arrived at the “Jordan” river. 

 

The verse continues, “he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.” Joshua added the words, “he and all the children of Israel” or “he, Joshua, and each, every and the whole of the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and lodged there” which means “and stopped over, dwelled, remained and abode there, at the Jordan river”  “before they passed over” or “in advance of the children of Israel crossing to the other side of the river”. Joshua shared how he and everyone of the offspring of “Israel” remained at the side of the “Jordan” river in advance of crossing it. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” and the people of Israel rose up early in the morning and traveled from “Shittim” to the side of the Jordan river. There they remained in advance of crossing the river. God’s plan to give the promise land to the people of Israel was underway, and now the children of Israel themselves would be involved. They traveled as far as the Jordan river but remained in that area without crossing it. We shall see what happens with them in our next verses, but for now let us consider how God was working on behalf of His people, and their involvement was to follow Him step by step. God works on our behalf as well, and 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 dead, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and teach us to follow Him step by step as His Holy Spirit leads us according to His plan and purpose for us. 

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how it happened, “after three days, that the officers went through the host”, 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".