The Word for Today with Ray

Friday, May 8, 2026

Seven Priest, the Ark and Seven Trumpets - Joshua 6:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor. And you shall compass the city, all you men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shall you do six days”, and in chapter six and verse four of the book of Joshua, we learn how Jehovah God told Joshua, “seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns” where we read,

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns:

and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

The verse reads, “And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and seven priests” which means “and seven principal officers, chief rulers and spiritual officials” “shall bear before the ark” or “will carry in advance and in front of the box or chest of the covenant” “seven trumpets” which means “seven curved horns or cornets” “of rams’ horns” or “made with the horns from a ram animal”. Jehovah God instructed Joshua to have “seven” spiritual leaders carry “seven” cornets or horns fashioned from a ram animal in advance of the “ark of the covenant”.

The verse goes on to say, “and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.” Joshua continued with the words, “and the seventh day” or “and upon the seventh sunrise to sunset” “you shall compass the city” which means “you, Joshua and the warriors of Israel, are to encircle and go around the dwelling place or town of Jericho” “seven times” or “seven different occurrences or repetitions”, “and the priests” which means “and the principal officers, chief rulers and spiritual officials” “shall blow with the trumpets” or “will give a blasting sound by the use of the cornets or trumpet shaped horns fashioned from a ram animal”. Jehovah God told Joshua to have himself and the warriors of Israel to march around or encircle the town of Jericho “seven” different occurrences, and the spiritual leaders with the “ram’s horns” were to give blasting sounds from them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how Jehovah God continued to be specifically involved with the people of Israel. They were to conquer the city of “Jericho” which was the first “city” in the promise land, however, they were to follow Jehovah God’s instructions. “Seven” spiritual leaders were to carry “ram’s horns” used as “cornets”, and as they encircled and went around the city of “Jericho” seven times on the seventh day, the spiritual leaders were to blast their horns. We can imagine what a sound this would make, but each of these details were to be carried out just as God instructed. God knows what is best for our lives, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be 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 provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the details for how He wants us to live before Him.

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Joshua what will happen, “when they make a long blast with the ram's horn”, 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".

Around the City Once for Six Days - Joshua 6:3

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor”, and in chapter six and verse three of the book of Joshua, we learn that Jehovah God told Joshua, “go round about the city once … for six days” where we read,

And you shall compass the city, all you men of war, and go round about the city once.

Thus shall you do six days.

The verse reads, “And you shall compass the city, all you men of war, and go round about the city once.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and you shall compass the city” which means “and you, Joshua and the people of Israel will go about, compass and encircle the dwelling place or town of Jericho”, “all you men of war” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of you, males of Israel, who are warriors and ready for battle and fighting”, “and go round about” which means “and compass or encircle” “the city once” or “the dwelling place and town of Jericho one time”. Jehovah God told Joshua that he and the male warriors of Israel were to compass the town of Jericho one single time.

The verse continues, “Thus shall you do six days.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “thus shall you do” or “in this manner you, Joshua and the people of Israel are to produce, fashion and accomplish compassing the city once for a period of ” “six days” which means “six sunrises to sunsets”. Jehovah God instructed Joshua that he and the warriors of Israel were to encircle the “city” of “Jericho” one time per day for a period of “six” sunrises to sunsets.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to be involved with the process of the people of Israel inheriting the promise land. “Joshua” was instructed by God to have himself and the warriors of Israel to march around the “city” one time for a period of six days. We shall discover more about this in our next few verses, but for now, imagine this unconventional way of taking action to possess the promise land. God was at work, and sometimes He works in mysterious ways to bring people into 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 raised Him from the dead after three days, 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 put His Holy Spirit in us so we are guided into all truth and directed according to His perfect plan and will even when He works unconventionally.

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jericho Given to Joshua’s Hand - Joshua 6:2

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in”, and in chapter six and verse two of the book of Joshua, we learn how “the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho” where we read,

And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho,

and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.

The verse reads, “And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah whose name means ‘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”, “See, I have given into your hand” which means “look, inspect and consider I, Jehovah God, have set, bestowed, granted, permitted, ascribed, consecrated and dedicated into your, Joshua and the people of Israel’s, hand of power, might and authority” “Jericho” whose name means “its moon” and was “a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Jehovah God told “Joshua” to consider that He gave the city of “Jericho” to be under the power, might and authority of his hand and the people of Israel.

The verse goes on to say, “… and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.” Joshua continued with the words, “and the king thereof” or “and the royal ruler and leader belonging to Jericho”, “and the mighty men” which means “and the strong, brave and valiant male human beings” “of valor” or “pertaining to might, efficiency, wealth and ability”. Jehovah God told Joshua that He also gave the royal ruler and his strong and valiant “men” of might and ability into his and the people of Israel’s “hand”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God told “Joshua” that He delivered “Jericho” and it’s rulers and it’s strong and brave “men” into his “hand” of might and power. God promised the people of Israel that He would give them the promise land, and now they were going to see Him fulfill His word to them. Although “Joshua” and the people of Israel were to be employed to carry out God’s work, God was the One who would give “Jericho” to them. 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 raised from the grave after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide us with His Holy Spirit who shall guide us into all truth and help us know when He is making provisions for us.

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “go round about the city once … for six days”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Jericho Shut Up - Joshua 6:1

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What says my lord unto his servant?” And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot; for the place whereon you stand is holy. And Joshua did so”, and in chapter six and verse one of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Jericho was straitly shut up” where we read,

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel:

none went out, and none came in.

The verse reads, “Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “now Jericho” which means “at this time Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan” “was straitly shut up” or “was altogether closed up” “because of the children of Israel” which means “since and on account 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”. Joshua or the writer said “Jericho” was altogether closed up on account of the offspring of “Israel”.

The verse continues, “none went out, and none came in.” Joshua added the words, “none went out” or “not one person exited and went forth”, “and none came in” which means “and not one person entered or came forth”. Joshua or the writer said not one person exited or entered the city of Jericho.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Jericho” was in “lock down” as they feared the people of “Israel”. The reputation of “Israel” was well known, and the people of “Jericho” knew they were in imminent danger. God gave “Israel” their power and reputation, and because He was involved in their lives, their foes were afraid. God is for us and not against us, and when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His powerful and wise Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth as He goes before us with His reputation that will cause those who oppose God to be afraid.

Next time we learn how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into your hand Jericho”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Loose Your Shoe From Off Your Foot - Joshua 5:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What says my lord unto his servant?”, and in chapter five and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot” where we read,

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot;

for the place whereon you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.

The verse reads, “And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the captain” which means “and the prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official and noble” “of the LORD’s host” or “the army or company of soldiers belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “said unto Joshua” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “loose your shoe from off your foot” or “slip, drop off and clear away your, Joshua’s, sandal separate and away from your, Joshua’s, physical foot”. Joshua or the writer shared how the prince and ruler belonging to Jehovah God’s army or company of soldiers instructed “Joshua” to take his “sandal” or “shoe” off his physical foot.

The verse goes on to say, “for the place whereon you stand is holy. And Joshua did so.” Joshua continued with the words, “for the place whereon you stand” or “because, since and on account that the location upon which you, Joshua, are erected and standing” “is holy” which means “exists as separated, sacred and pure”. “And Joshua did so” or “and Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ took off his shoe”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “captain of the LORD’s host” told him to take his shoe off because he was standing upon sacred and pure ground, and “Joshua” obeyed him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “captain of the LORD’s host” gave instruction to “Joshua” to remove his shoes because the ground he was standing upon was “holy” ground. Moses was told the same at the burning bush, (See Exodus 3:5) and because the “holy” Son of God was in his presence, “Joshua” needed to heed this command. God is holy, and He wants us to be holy as well. (See Leviticus 20:7; 1Peter 1:15-16) This is only possible when we have a personal relationship with His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and put His holiness within us and remind us when we stray away from His perfect will.

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Captain of the Host of the LORD - Joshua 5:14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What says my lord unto his servant?

The verse reads, “And he said, No; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he said, No” which means “and he, the man with the sword drawn uttered, declared and proclaimed, not and neither in any way”, “but as captain” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover as prince, ruler, leader, chieftain, official and noble” “of the host of the LORD” which means “pertaining to the army or company of soldiers belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “am I now come” or “am I, the man with the sword, at this time entered, enumerated and gathered”. Joshua or the writer shared how the man with the drawn sword identified himself as the ruler and leader pertaining to the army of Jehovah God, and for this reason, he came upon the scene.

The verse continues, “And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What says my lord unto his servant?” Joshua added the words, “and, Joshua fell on his face” or “and Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation, cast down, and prostrated himself” “to the earth” which means “to the territory, land and ground”, “and did worship” or “and stooped and bowed down in homage and reverence”, “and said unto him” which means “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked him, the man with the sword”, “what says my lord” or “whatsoever utters, declares and proclaims my, Joshua’s, Yahweh, master and the title which is used as a proper name of God” “unto his servants” which means “to his, the man with the sword’s, slave, subject, worshiper and bondman”? Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” cast himself down toward the ground, began to “worship” the man with the sword drawn and asked him what he wanted to “say” to him.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua responded to the “man with the drawn sword” as he bowed himself to the ground, began to give him homage and wanted to know what he wanted to say to him. This was Jesus Christ who presented Himself in advance of the battle in which “Joshua” was about to engage. In other words, God was with Joshua and the people of Israel. God is with us as well, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “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 constantly assure us that God is with us in whatever battles we encounter. (See Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20)

Next time we learn how Joshua or the writer says, “the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose your shoe from off your foot”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Man with a Sword Drawn - Joshua 5:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day. And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year”, and in chapter five and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua or the author shared how Joshua saw, “a man over against him with his sword drawn” where we read,

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “ant it happened and occurred”, “when Joshua” or “at the time and moment Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “was by Jericho” which means “was next to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”, “that he lifted up his eyes” or “that he, Joshua, exalted and raised his, Joshua’s, physical eyes used for sight and vision” “and looked” which means “and inspected, perceived and considered” the following. Joshua or the writer said it happened at the time “Joshua” was near to the city of “Jericho”, and he raised his physical eyes and observed the following.

The verse goes on to say, “and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand:” Joshua continued with the words, “and, behold” or “and lo, look and consider”, “there stood a man” which means “there was standing and set in place a male” “over against him” or “opposite of where Joshua was standing” “with his sword drawn” which means “having his, the man’s, sharp cutting instrument taken out” “in his hand” or “within his, the man’s, physical hand”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” observed a “man” standing opposite of where he was located who had a sharp cutting instrument within his physical hand that was taken out as if prepared for battle.

Finally the verse says, “and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “and Joshua” or “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “went unto him” which means “proceeded, moved and walked toward him, the man with the sword”, “and said unto him” or “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked him, the man with the sword”, “are you for us” which means “do you exist on our, the people of Israel’s, behalf”, “or for our adversaries” which means “or on behalf of our, the people of Israel’s, hating foes and enemies”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” approached the man with the sword and asked him whether he was on the side of the people of Israel or their enemies.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about another encounter experienced by “Joshua” within the promise land. This vision of the man with a sword caused “Joshua” to wonder whose side he was on. We shall see more about this in our next verses, but this was known as a “theophany” where Jesus Christ appeared in the Old Testament on behalf of the people of Israel. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He is for Israel, and He is for us. He sent His Only Begotten 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 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 the power of His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to know He is for us and not against us. (See Romans 8:31)

Next time we learn how the man with the sword drawn says, “No; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…