Remaining Cities Not Burned - Joshua 11:13

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn, “as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them” where we read, 

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, 

save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.

The verse reads, “But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but as for the cities” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover considering the dwelling places or towns” “that stood still” or “which remained, continued and persisted”, “in their strength” which means “within their, the cities’, power, might and authority”, “Israel burned none of them” or “Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob kindled and set on fire not a single one of them, the cities that remained”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” did not kindle with fire any of the dwelling places who remained in their power. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “save Hazor only”  which means “with the exception of Hazor whose name means ‘castle’ and was a royal city of northern Palestine allotted to Naphtali alone”; “that did Joshua burn” or “that Joshua kindled with fire”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” made an exception when he set “Hazor” on fire. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” was lenient to the dwelling places who remained in their power, however, “Hazor” did not receive an exemption as he set their place on fire. God contended with these foes of “Israel”, and when He allowed them not to be “burned”, they weren’t. However, when they existed like “Hazor”, they were set on fire. God knows how to deal with every person or group of people, and because He loves everyone, He desires to have a personal relationship with them 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 surrender 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 provide His wisdom for dealing with people in keeping with His perfect will and plan.

Next time we learn how, “all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey”, 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".

Kings and Cities that Joshua Took - Joshua 11:12

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire”, and in chapter eleven and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take” where we read, 

And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.

The verse reads, “And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all the cities” which means “and each, every and the whole of the dwelling places and towns” “of those kings of them” or “belonging to the royal rulers and leaders assembled by Jabin”, “did Joshua take” which means “Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation seized, captured and occupied”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” seized and overtook every one of the dwelling places which belonged to the royal rulers who were collected together by “Jabin of Hazor”. 

 

The verse continues, “… and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and smote them”  which means “and struck, hit, beat and killed them, the people within the dwelling places” “with the edge of the sword” or “by the use of the extremity or end belonging to the sharpened knife or cutting instrument”, “and he utterly destroyed them” which means “and he, Joshua, completely exterminating and mutilating them the people within the kings’ dwelling places”, “as Moses” or “even and indeed like Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” which means “the slave, bondman and man of servile condition belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “commanded” or “charged and ordered”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” struck and killed the people of “all the cities” who belonged to the “kings” assembled by “Jabin” until their dwelling places were completely exterminated like “Moses”, God’s man of servile condition, ordered. (See Numbers 33:52-53; Deuteronomy 7:2, 20:16-17)

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” completely annihilated all the people who lived within the cities of the “kings” gathered by “Jabin”. “Jabin” thought bringing a multitude of people together would assure a victory against “Israel”, but he was wrong and it cost his life and the lives of many people. God was for “Israel”, and no one nor any group is able to defeat Him. This same God desires to have a personal intimate relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who came into the world to live a perfect life, was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He was raised 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live in a manner that not only defeats our enemies, but is also very pleasing to God. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Next time we learn, “as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them”, 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".

Smiting All Souls Therein - Joshua 11:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms”, and in chapter eleven and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “they smote all the souls that were therein” where we read, 

And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.

The verse reads, “And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they smote” which means “and they, Joshua and the army of Israel, struck, hit, beat and killed” “all the souls” or “each, every and the whole of the living beings” “that were therein” which means “who were within Hazor” “with the edge of the sword” or “by the use of the extremity or end belonging to the sharpened knife or cutting instrument”, “utterly destroying them” or “completely exterminating and mutilating them, the people of Hazor”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua and the army of Israel” struck and killed every one of the living beings who were dwelling within “Hazor” by the use of the sharpened cutting instrument. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “there was not any left to breathe”  which means “there did not remain a single person who had breath in Hazor”: “and he burnt Hazor” or “and he kindled Hazor” “with fire” which means “by the use of fiery fire”. Joshua or the writer shared how no one breathing remained in “Hazor”, and Joshua kindled “Hazor” by the use of fiery fire. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” and the army of “Israel”  stuck and killed everyone within “Hazor”, and no one breathing remained alive. Afterward he set the city of “Hazor” on fire. The enemies of Israel and Jehovah God were defeated again, and in like manner Jehovah God will defeat all our enemies who desire to keep us from a personal relationship 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 yield to 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 destroy the adversaries to our souls whenever they arise in battle against us according to His perfect plan and will. 

Next time we learn how, “all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take”, 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".

 

Taking Hazor - Joshua 11:10

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “Jabin” the “king of Hazor” assembled “kings” and their armies who were located near him, and “when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire”, and in chapter eleven and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor” where we read, 

And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

The verse reads, “And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “at that time turned back” or “at that occurrence and occasion returned”, “and took Hazor” which means “and seized, captured and occupied Hazor whose name means ‘castle’ and was a royal city of northern Palestine allotted to Naphtali”, “and smote the king thereof” or “and hit, beat, struck and killed the royal ruler of Hazor” “with the sword” which means “by the use of the sharpened instrument of war”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” returned and captured and occupied “Hazor” and killed their royal ruler with a sharpened war instrument. 

 

The verse continues, “for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “for Hazor”  which means “because Hazor whose name means ‘castle’ and was a royal city of northern Palestine allotted to Naphtali”, “beforetime was the head” or “in front, before in advance existed as the top, summit and chief” “of all those kingdoms” which means “pertaining to each, every and the whole royal realms, sovereignties and dominions”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Hazor” was the chief of every one of the other royal dominions.  

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how “Joshua” returned to “Hazor”, captured the territory and killed their royal ruler who was “Jabin”. “Hazor” was the chief of all the other dominions who were destroyed by Joshua through Jehovah God. “Jabin”, the royal ruler of “Hazor” met his fate with death because he defied the armies of Israel and the living God. God loves the people of Israel, and through them the entire world was to be blessed. (See Genesis 12:3) For this reason God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we yield our lives 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 empower us to know and believe He is able to conquer any enemy and foe that rises up against us. 

Next time we learn how, “they smote all the souls that were therein”, 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".

Delivered by the LORD to Israel - Joshua 11:9

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “Jabin” the “king of Hazor” assembled “kings” and their armies who were located near him, and “when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining”, and in chapter eleven and verse nine of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him” where we read, 

And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: 

he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

The verse reads, “And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “did unto them” or “performed and acted upon them, the kings and their armies assembled by Jabin” “as the LORD” which means “even and indeed like Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “bade him” or “charged and commanded him, Joshua”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” acted  in the manner which Jehovah God commanded him toward the “kings and their armies” who were gathered together by “Jabin”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “he houghed their horses”  which means “he, Joshua cut the hamstrings on their, the kings and their armies’, horses”, “and burnt their chariots” or “and kindled their, “kings and their armies’, war wagons” “with fire” which means “by the use of fiery fire”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” cut the hamstrings on the “horses” of the “kings and armies” assembled by “Jabin”, and he kindled a fiery fire upon their war wagons. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” was obedient to the charge given by Jehovah God concerning these “kings and their armies” who were assembled by “Jabin”. Not only did he disable their “horses” by cutting their hamstrings, but he also kindle a fiery fire upon their war wagons or “chariots”. God knew what “Joshua” should do with these enemies, and “Joshua’s”  part was to obey Him. God wants us to obey Him as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins 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 provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we remain obedient to every command He gives. 

Next time we learn how, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor”, 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".

Delivered by the LORD to Israel - Joshua 11:8

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “Jabin” the “king of Hazor” assembled “kings” and their armies who were located near him, and, “when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them”, and in chapter eleven and verse eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel” where we read, 

And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.

The verse reads, “And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “delivered them” or “put, set, ascribed and committed them, the kings and their armies” “into the hand of Israel” which means “to the power, might, strength and authority belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “who smote them” or “God with Joshua and the armies of Israel struck, beat, hit and killed them, the kings and their armies”, “and chased them” which means “and pursued, followed after and harassed them, the kings and their armies” “unto great Zidon” or “to the abounding and exceedingly numerous Zidon or Sidon whose name means hunting and was an ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre”, “and unto Misrephothmaim” which means “and to ‘burnings of water’ and was a place in northern Palestine near Sidon”, “and unto the valley” or “and to the lowland and desert plains” “of Mezpeh eastward” or “belonging to Mezpeh whose name means ‘watchtower’ which was a city in the district of the Shephelah or lowlands of Judah and is in the eastward direction”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God committed these pagan “kings” and their armies over to the power and authority belonging to “Israel” who killed and exterminated them, and pursued after them to “Zidon, Misrephothmaim and to the lowland belonging to “Mizpeh” which was in an eastward direction. 

 

The verse continues, “and they smote them, until they left them none remaining.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and they smote them”  which means “and they, Joshua and the armies of Israel, struck, beat, killed and destroyed them, the kings and their armies”, “until they left them none remaining” or “till such time that they, Joshua and the people of Israel, did not allow a single one of the kings and their armies to survive or continue living”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” and the armies of “Israel” beat and killed the pagan “kings” and their “armies” until there were not any of them living. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how God was true to His word once again as He defeated the pagan “kings” and their armies through “Joshua” and the armies of “Israel”. The defeat was so thorough that not any of them continued living. God created the world and everything within it, and anyone who opposes Him and His people are foolish to fight against Him. God wants everyone to be in an intimate personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we learn that He is able to contend with and defeat every foe who rises up against us. 

Next time we learn how, “Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him”, 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".

Against the People of War at Meron - Joshua 11:7

In the book of Joshua, we learned how “Jabin” the “king of Hazor” assembled “kings” and their armies who were located near him, and, “when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: you shall hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire”, and in chapter eleven and verse seven of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom” where we read, 

So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.

The verse reads, “So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so Joshua came” which means “therefore, wherefore and then Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation, arose and proceeded forward”, “and all the people of war with him” or “and each, every and the whole of the human beings pertaining to fighting and battle alongside and accompanying him, Joshua”, “against them” which means “in opposition to them, the gathered kings and their armies” “by the waters of Merom” or “beside the flowing waters belonging to Meron whose name means ‘high place’ and was the lake in northern Canaan at which Joshua routed the northern confederacy headed by Jabin”: “suddenly” which means “instantly and surprisingly”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” proceeded forward along with every one of the human beings of fighting and battle to the flowing waters of “Meron” to war against the assembled “kings” and their armies in an instant and surprising manner. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “and they fell upon them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they fell”  which means “and they, the armies of Israel, threw down and attacked” “upon them” or “on them, the gathered kings and their armies”. Joshua or the writer shared how the armies of “Israel” attacked the “kings” and their armies. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Israel” was on the move to “battle” against the “kings and their armies” who were assembled. They took aggressive action against these pagan rulers and their men, and we shall see how Jehovah God “delivers” them into the hands of Israel. God is for “Israel”, and when these “kings and their armies” fought against “Israel”, they fought against Jehovah God. God wants to be in a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus who was crucified 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 help us realize God will go to battle for us whenever foes and adversaries rise up against us in keeping with His perfect plan and will.

Next time we learn how, “the LORD delivered them into the hand 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".