The Word for Today with Ray

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Joshua Making War for a Long Time - Joshua 11:18

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same, even from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon. Even from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them”, and in chapter eleven and verse eighteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how “Joshua made war a long time” where we read,

Joshua made war a long time with all those kings.

The verse reads, “Joshua made war a long time …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “Joshua made war” which means “Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ fashioned, accomplished and produced fighting and battle” “a long time” or “for a great, abundant and numerous amount of time”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” engaged in fighting and battle for a lengthy amount of “time”.

The verse continues, “… with all those kings.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “with all” which means “among and near each, the whole and every one of” “those kings” or “the royal rulers who were in the various territories in the promise land”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” continued in battle with the royal rulers from the areas within the promise land.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” continued to fight and battle with the royal rulers from the various regions throughout the promise land. Endurance was necessary at this point, and sometimes, we must endure as well. (See Matthew 10:22) God wants us to put our faith and trust in 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, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and empower us to endure even as He requires and according to His perfect plan, will and timing. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “there was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Halak, Seir and Baalgad - Joshua 11:17

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same”, and in chapter eleven and verse seventeen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua also took, “from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon” where we read,

Even from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.

The verse reads, “Even from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “even from the mount Halak” which means “indeed and also from the rising of the plain known as Halak whose name means ‘smooth’ and was a mountain in southern Judah which is the southern limit of Joshua's conquest; site unknown”, “that goes up to Seir” or “that rises and ascends toward Seir whose name means ‘hairy or shaggy’ and was the land of Edom, south of the Dead Sea”, “even unto Baalgad” which means “toward Baalgad whose name means ‘lord of fortune’ and was a city noted for Baal-worship, located at the most northern or northwestern point to which Joshua's victories extended” “in the valley” or “within the lowland or low country” “of Lebanon” which means “belonging to Lebanon whose name means ‘whiteness’ and was a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel” “under mount Hermon” or “beneath the rising of the plain known as Hermon whose name means ‘a sanctuary’ and was a mountain on the northeastern border of Palestine and Lebanon and overlooking the border city of Dan”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” also possessed the territory of the rising above the plain known as “Halak” that ascends to “Seir” and toward “Baalgad” which was located within the lowland belonging to “Lebanon” which was beneath the rising of the plain known as “Hermon”.

The verse goes on to say, “and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and all their kings” which means “and each, every and the whole of the royal rulers and leaders” “he took” or “he, Joshua, seized, overtook and captured”, “and smote them” which means “and struck, hit, beat and killed them, the kings”, “and slew them” or “and executed, killed and put them, the kings, to death”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” struck, killed and executed every one of the royal rulers in those areas.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how “Joshua” continued to overtake territories the promise land. God gave him the rising above the plain known as “Halak” that rose toward “Seir” and toward “Baalgad” which was located within the low country beneath the rising of the plain known as “Hermon”. He also captured their royal rulers and struck, killed and executed them. One by one “Joshua” and the people of “Israel” were gaining territory within the promise land just the way God said they would, and because He was with them, they were victorious. God wants us to be victorious as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him 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 empower us to live according to that truth so we also may be victorious in this world and the next. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Joshua made war a long time with all those kings”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Joshua Takes Lands, Hills and South Country - Joshua 11:16

In the book of Joshua, we learned, “as the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses”, and in chapter eleven and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country” where we read,

So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen,

and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;

The verse reads, “So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so Joshua” which means “therefore, then, wherefore and on this account Joshua, whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “took all that land” or “seized, captured and occupied each, every and the whole of the territory, region and district”, “the hills” which means “the risings above the plains and mounds”, “and all the south country” or “and each, every and the whole of the territory, region and district belonging to the southern direction”,“and all the land” which means “and each, every and the whole of the territory, region and district” “of Goshen” or “belonging to Goshen whose name means ‘drawing near’ and was a district in southern Palestine between Gaza and Gibeon”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” seized every one of the territories including those within the risings above the plain, in the southern direction and belonging to “Goshen”.

The verse continues, “… and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and the valley” which means “and the lowland or low country”, “and the plain” or “and the desert or wilderness”, “and the mountain of Israel” which means “and the rising above the plain or hill country belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails” and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and the valley” or “and the lowland or low country” “of the same” which means “belonging to Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” also seized the lowlands, wilderness and risings above the plain and lowlands which belonged to “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Joshua conquered a large area of territory which included the mountains, lowlands, wilderness and regions which belonged to “Israel”. God gave him and the people of “Israel” these lands, and because He was with them, they were victorious. This same God desires to have a personal relationship with us as well, and 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, He made the way through belief 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 teach us how to inherit whatever He desires in this life and in the life to come.

Next time we learn how Joshua also took, “from the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

As the LORD Commanded Moses - Joshua 11:15

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua and the people of Israel fought and defeated kings and armies assembled by Jabin, “and all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe”, and in chapter eleven and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn, “as the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua” where we read,

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.

The verse reads, “As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “as the LORD” which means “even and indeed like Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “commanded Moses” or “charged and ordered Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and the leader of the exodus” “his servant” which means “his, Jehovah God’s, slave, bondman and man of servile condition”, “so did Moses” or “thus and the same performed and produced Moses whose name means drawn out” “command Joshua” which means “charge and order Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “and so did Joshua” or “thus and the same produced and performed Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”. (See Deuteronomy 7:2; 31:7) Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God gave orders to “Moses”, “Moses” gave orders to Joshua, and “Joshua” acted and performed in the same manner that Jehovah God instructed “Moses”.

The verse goes on to say, “he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “he left nothing undone” which means “he, Joshua, did not turn aside or depart from anything to be completed and removed” “of all that the LORD” or “pertaining to each, every and the whole of the instructions Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “commanded Moses” which means “charged and ordered Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and the leader of the exodus”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” did not leave anything incomplete concerning the orders that Jehovah God had given to “Moses”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God gave orders to “Moses”, he gave orders to “Joshua”, and “Joshua” fulfilled the orders that Jehovah God gave to “Moses” and did not allow anything to be incomplete. God was in charge, and He used “Moses” to relay the message to “Joshua”, and “Joshua” fulfilled His will. God had the best interest of “Israel” in mind, and when they heard and followed His ways, they would be blessed. God has our best interest in mind as well, 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of following His ways to live and how to be blessed in this world as well as the world to come.

Next time we learn, “Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

All the Spoil Taken For a Prey - Joshua 11:14

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 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. But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn”, and in chapter eleven and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey” where we read,

And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.

The verse reads, “And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all the spoil” which means “and each, every and the whole of the plunder, booty and prey” “of these cities” or “belonging to these dwelling places or towns which belonged to the kings and people assembled by Jabin”, “and the cattle” which means “and the beasts, animals and livestock”, “the children of Israel” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the proper name for the One True God” “took for a prey” which means “seized, despoiled, plundered and gathered” “unto themselves” or “to their own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” seized and despoiled for their own selves the booty, gain and livestock of the defeated “cities” which were assembled by “Jabin”.

The verse continues, “but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “but every man they smote” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover each, the whole and all of the male human beings they, the offspring of Israel, beat, hit, struck and killed” “with the edge of the sword” or “by the use of the extremity or end belonging to the sharpened knife or cutting instrument”, “until they had destroyed them” which means “till such time that they, the offspring and progeny of Israel exterminated, annihilated and devastated them, the men of the cities they defeated”, “neither left they any to breathe” or “no and not in any manner did they, the offspring and progeny of Israel, allow or permit a single one of the people to remain alive and breathing”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” not only struck and killed the people within these defeated cities by the use of sharpened instruments, but also completely annihilated them without allowing any to remain breathing.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the offspring of “Israel” were able to gather the plunder and livestock which were in the dwelling places of the people who were solicited by “king Jabin” to go to war with “Israel”. These locations were defeated by “Israel”, and their belongings were now in the possession of the “offspring of Israel”. God gave “Israel” these “cities”, and now they were the beneficiaries of His complete destruction. God loves Israel, and He loves us. He proved His love when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, and thereby 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us when to seize that which He has provided for us.

Next time we learn, “as the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

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…

Kings and Cities that Joshua Took - Joshua 11:12

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…