The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Heshbon and Jazer - Joshua 21:39

In the book of Joshua, we learned how cites were given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-nine of Joshua we learn about, “Heshbon and Jazer” where we read,

Heshbon with her suburbs, Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.

The verse reads, “Heshbon with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Heshbon” whose name means “stronghold” and was “the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Heshbon’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “tribe of Gad” provided “Heshbon” and it’s common land to the “Levites”.

The verse goes on to say, “… Jazer with her suburbs; four cities in all.” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Jazer” or Jazzer whose name means “helped” and was “a Levitical city east of the Jordan, in Gilead in the territory of Gad, formerly an Amorite city; site uncertain” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jazer’s, open and common land”; “four cities in all” or “four dwelling places or places of wakening it total”. Joshua or the writer said “Jazer” and it’s common land was among the “four” dwelling places provided to the “Levites”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn about two more “cities”, “Heshbon and Jazer”, that were given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Gad”. One by one these places were being provided so the “Levites” could serve Jehovah God and the people of Israel. God wants us to have His kingdom and righteousness first in our lives, (See Matthew 6:33) and because 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, 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 empower us to live in keeping with that truth in keeping with His ways. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn the number of, “all the cities for the children of Merari”, 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".

Out of the Tribe of Gad - Joshua 21:38

In the book of Joshua, we learned how cites were given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs. Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-eight of Joshua we learn about cites given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Gad” where we read,

And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs,

to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Gad” which means “and from the clan or people group belonging to Gad whose name means ‘troop’ and was seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother of Asher and the progenitor of the tribe that descended from Gad” “Ramoth” whose name means “heights” and was “Remoth-Gilead” “in Gilead” which means “within Gilead whose name means “rocky region” and was “a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just ‘Gilead’ and was divided into north and south Gilead” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Gilead’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ramoth in Gilead” along with it’s common land was provided to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Gad”.

The verse continues, “… to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Mahanaim with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “to be a city of refuge” which means “to exist as a dwelling place or place of wakening pertaining to asylum” “for the slayer” or “on behalf of the person who kills another person by accident or inadvertently”; “and Mahanaim” whose name means “two camps” and was a place east of the Jordan, named from Jacob's encounter with angels and a Levitical city in Gad“ “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Mahanaim’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Gilead” was to be a dwelling place of asylum for the people of Israel, and “Mahanaim” along with it’s common land was also given to the “Levites”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “tribe of Gad” provided “Ramoth in Gilead, a city of refuge, and Mahaanaim” to the “Levites”. One by one the “Levites” were being given their locations to serve Jehovah God and the people of Israel. God uses people to accomplish His will, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us live in a manner that is in keeping with His ways. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Heshbon and Jazer”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Kedemoth and Mephaath - Joshua 21:37

In the book of Joshua, we learned how cites were given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-seven of Joshua we learn about, “Kedemoth and Mephaath” where we read,

Kedemoth with her suburbs, and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Kedemoth with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Kedemoth” whose name means “eastern” and was “one of the towns in the district east of the Dead Sea allotted to the tribe of Reuben and given to the Merarite Levites” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Kedemoth’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer added “Kedemoth” and its common land to the locations that were provided by the “tribe of Reuben” to the “Levites”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Mephaath with her suburbs; four cities.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Mephaath” whose name means “splendor or height” and was “a city of Reuben allotted to the Merarite Levites lying in the district of the Mishor; site uncertain” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Mephaath’s, open and common land”: “four cities” which means “four dwelling places or places of wakening”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Mephaath” and it’s common land was also provided to the “Levites" by the “tribe of Reuben”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover two more cities provided to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Reuben”. “Kedemoth and Mephaath” along with their common lands were to be used by the “Levites” in service to Jehovah God and the people of Israel. God loves to provide for people, and “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (See John 3:16) Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, and He rose from the grave 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 give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so our ways are pleasing to Him. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about cites given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Gad”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Out of the Tribe of Reuben - Joshua 21:36

In the book of Joshua, we learned about the cities given to the Levites, and “unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-six of Joshua we learn about cities given to the Levites, “out of the tribe of Reuben” where we read,

And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, and Jahazah with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And out of the tribe of Reuben, Bezer with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and out of the tribe of Bezer” which means “from the clan or people group belonging to Bezer whose name means ‘gold ore or remote fortress” and was a city of refuge in Reuben in the downs on the east of the Jordan “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Bezer’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said “Bezer” and its common land was given to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Reuben”.

The verse continues, “… and Jahazah with her suburbs,” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and Jahazah” or Jahaz or Jahzah whose name means “trodden down” and was “a place in Reuben east of the Dead Sea where Israel defeated Sihon king of the Amorites; site uncertain” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jahazah’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jahazah” with it’s common land was given to the “Levites”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the “tribe of Reuben” provided “Bezer and Jahazzah” along with their common lands to the “Levites” to use in service to Jehovah God. God gave these locations to the “Levites”, and He gives to us as well. God provided His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him 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 guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Kedemoth and Mephaath”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Dimnah and Nahalal - Joshua 21:35

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities, all the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs, and unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-five of Joshua we learn about, “Dimnah and Nahalal” where we read,

Dimnah with her suburbs, Nahalal with her suburbs; four cities.

The verse reads, “Dimnah with her suburbs,, …” Joshua or the writer began with the word, “Dimnah” whose name means “dunghill” “with her suburbs” which means “alongside and accompanied by her, Dimnah’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Dimnah” and it’s common land was given to the “Levites”.

The verse goes on to say, “… Nahalal with her suburbs” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Nahalal” or Nahallal or Nahalol whose name means “pasture” and was “one of the cities of Zebulun given to the Merarite Levites”. Joshua or the writer said “Nahalal” along with it’s common land was given to the Levites by the “tribe of Zebulun”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover two more of the cities that were provided to the “Levites” by the “tribe of Zebulun”. God’s provision for the “Levites” was being fulfilled, and these “Levites” would keep the awareness of God and His ways before the people of Israel. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love 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. 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 to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so our ways are pleasing in His eyes. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about cities given, “out of the tribe of Reuben”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, August 8, 2026

The Families of Merai - Joshua 21:34

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities, all the cities of the Gershonites according to their families were thirteen cities with their suburbs”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-four of Joshua we learn about, “the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites” where we read,

And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs,

The verse reads, “And unto the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites, out of the tribe of Zebulun, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and unto the families” which means “and to the kinsmen, kindred and relatives” “of the children” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny” “of Merari” which means “belonging to Merari whose name means ‘bitter’ and was the third son of Levi and head of a Levitical family” “the rest of the Levites” or “the remainder and left over descendants of Levi whose name means ‘joined to’ and was the third son of Jacob by Leah who were specially set aside by God for his service”, “out of the tribe” or “from the clan or people group” “of Zebulun” which means “belonging to Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was “the tenth of the sons of Jacob, sixth and last of Leah; progenitor of the tribe of Zebulun”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “tribe of Zebulun” gave the following locations to the offspring of “Merari” and the remainder of the “Levites”.

The verse goes on to say, “… Jokneam with her suburbs, and Kartah with her suburbs, …” Joshua or the writer continued with the word, “Jokneam” whose name means “the people lament” and was “a city of Canaan conquered by Joshua and in the territory of Zebulun but allotted to the Merarite Levites and located Mount Carmel” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jokneam’s, open and common land”, “and Kartah” whose name means “city” and was “a town in Zebulun allotted to the Merarite Levites” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by her, Jokneam’s, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Jokneam and Kartah” along with their common lands were also given to the “Levites”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the tribe of “Zebulun” got involved in giving cities to the “Levites”. They gave the Levitical “family of Merari” “Jokneum and Kartah” along with their common lands. God was behind these provisions because He loves the people of Israel. He loves us as well, and He proved His love to us when 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 submit to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us live in keeping with His ways wherever we are placed in this world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “Dimnah and Nahalal”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Cities of Gershonites - Joshua 21:33

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “unto the children of Gershon, of the families of the Levites, out of the other half tribe of Manasseh they gave Golan in Bashan with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Beeshterah with her suburbs; two cities, and out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs, Jarmuth with her suburbs, Engannim with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Asher, Mishal with her suburbs, Abdon with her suburbs, Helkath with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs; four cities, and out of the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee with her suburbs, to be a city of refuge for the slayer; and Hammothdor with her suburbs, and Kartan with her suburbs; three cities”, and in chapter twenty-one and verse thirty-three of Joshua we learn about, “all the cities of the Gershonites” where we read,

All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families

were thirteen cities with their suburbs.

The verse reads, “All the cities of the Gershonites according to their families …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “all of the cities of the Gershonites” which means “each, every and the whole of the dwelling places or places of wakening belonging to the Gershonites whose name means and ‘exiled’ was the descendants of “Gershon” who was the firstborn son of Levi” “according to their families” or “in keeping and along with their, the Gershonites’, kindred, kinsmen and relatives” existed as the following. Joshua or the writer began to share about the total number of the dwelling places given to the “Levites” who belonged to “Gershon” and their relatives.

The verse continues, “… were thirteen cities with their suburbs.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “were thirteen cities” which means “existed as thirteen dwelling places or places of wakening” “with her suburbs” or “alongside and accompanied by their, the thirteen cities’, open and common land”. Joshua or the writer said there were “thirteen” dwelling places along with their common lands that were provided to the “Gershonite Levites”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how there were “thirteen” dwelling places that were provided to the “families” belonging to the Levitical people of “Gershon”. God’s provision was vast and important to all of Israel. There were six “cities of refuge” scattered throughout the land of Israel, three on the western side of the Jordan River, and three on the eastern side. God loves people and His provision for our salvation (our city of refuge) was demonstrated through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth in a manner that honors and gives glory to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn about, “the families of the children of Merari, the rest of the Levites”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…