The Word for Today with Ray: 2026

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

You Shall Conceive and Bear a Son - Judges 13:5

In the book of Judges we learned how Manoah’s, ”wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, you are barren, and bear not: but you shall conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing”, and in chapter thirteen and verse five of Judges, we learn how the angel told the woman, “you shall conceive, and bear a son” where we read,

For, lo, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.

The verse reads, “For, lo, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head:” The writer began with the words, “for, lo, you shall conceive” which means “because, since and then, look and consider, you, Manoah’s wife, will be pregnant with a child”, “and bear a son” or ”and bring forth and engender a male offspring and progeny”; “and no razor shall come on his head” which means “and not a single shearing tool for cutting hair will go up, go over and ascend to his, the male offspring of Manoah’s wife, top, summit and chief part of his body”. The writer shared how the “angel of the LORD” told “Manoah’s wife” that she would be pregnant with a male child, and she was never to cut his hair.

The verse goes on to say, “for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” The writer continued with the words, “for the child” which means “because, since and non account that the offspring and progeny” “shall be a Nazarite unto God” or “will exist as a Nazarite which means consecrated or dove to the Supreme Deity” “from the womb” which means “separate and apart from the belly, abdomen or birthing chamber”: “and he shall begin to deliver Israel” or “and he, the male child, will start and initiate saving, rescuing and setting free Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “out of the hand of the Philistines” which means “from the power, might, strength and authority belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants and was the inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan”. The writer shared shared how the male offspring belonging to “Manoah’s wife” was to be a “Nazarite” in the presence of the Supreme Deity from the time he exits her belly, and he was to begin setting “Israel” free from the power and might of the of the “Philistines”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the LORD’s messenger told “Manoah’s wife” that she would have a male child and that he was not to have his hair cut because he was to be a “Nazarite” from the time of his birth. Jehovah God would rescue the people of “Israel” through this son, and God was to be with the wife of Manoah during her time of pregnancy. God wants us to be involved in His Kingdom, and we being this process when we yield to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for 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 empower us to live according to that truth so we fulfill all that He desires and plans for us in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16;16:13; Phillipians 2:19)

Next time we learn how the woman tells her husband, “a man of God came unto me”, 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.”

Do Not Drink Wine Nor Strong Drink - Judges 13:4

In the book of Judges we learned how”the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, you are barren, and bear not: but you shall conceive, and bear a son”, and in chapter thirteen and verse four of Judges, we learn how the angel tells the woman, “beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink” where we read,

Now therefore beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink,

and eat not any unclean thing:

The verse reads, “Now therefore beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink, …” The writer began with the words, “now therefore beware” which means “at this time, wherefore, then and on this account keep, guard, observe and give heed”, “I pray you” or ”I, the angel of the LORD, beckon, beseech and beg you, Manoah’s wife”, “and drink not wine” which means “and do not imbibe any fermented fruit of the vine” “nor strong drink” or “not any intoxicating or fermented liquor”. The writer shared how the ntold “Manoah’s wife” to observe and keep guard not to imbibe any fermented fruit of the vine or intoxicating liquor.

The verse continues, “… and eat not any unclean thing:” The writer added the words, “and eat not” which means “and do not consume and devour” “any unclean thing” or “not a single impure, defiled or polluted item, morsel or food”. The writer shared how the “angel of the LORD” instructed “Manoah’s wife” not to consume or devour anything that was impure and defiled.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the messenger from “Jehovah God” instructed “Manoah’s wife” not to imbibe any fermented fruit of the vine nor any intoxicating liquor. “Manoah’s wife”was also not to consume any defiled and impure food. God had a special plan for this child, and we shall see how He uses Him in our next few verses. For now, let us be mindful that Jehovah God has a plan for all our lives, and when we surrender to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to serve in His Kingdom in keeping with His perfect plan for us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:13)

Next time we learn how the angel tells the woman, “you shall conceive, and bear a son”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Angel of the LORD Appeared - Judges 13:3

In the book of Judges we learned how”the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD. And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not”, and in chapter thirteen and verse three of Judges, we learn how, “the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman” where we read,

And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her,

Behold now, you are barren, and bear not: but you shall conceive, and bear a son.

The verse reads, “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, …” The writer began with the words, “and the angel of the LORD” which means “and the envoy and messenger belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “appeared unto the woman” or ”revealed, make known and became visible to the female human being”, “and said unto her” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. The writer shared how the messenger from Jehovah God made himself known to “Manoah’s” wife and told her the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “Behold now, you are barren, and bear not: but you shall conceive, and bear a son.” The writer continued with the words, “behold now” which means “lo, look and consider at this time”, “you are barren” or “you, Manoah’s wife, exist as sterile and unable to engender a child”, “and bear not” which means “and do not bring forth, engender or travail to have a child”: “but you shall conceive” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, Manoah’s wife, will become pregnant and be with child” “and bear a son” which means “and beget, travail and engender a male human being”. The writer shared how the messenger belonging to Jehovah God told “Manoah’s wife” who was sterile that she would engender a male child.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the envoy from Jehovah God was on a mission, made himself known to “Manoah’s wife” and told her she would have male child even though she was unable to have children at that time. God is in the miracle working business, and when He promised “Manoah’s wife” she would be pregnant with a son, she was to have a son. God keeps His promises, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within in us to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we are prepared for the miracle He has in store for us to use in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; Mark 9:39)

Next time we learn how the angel tells the woman, “beware, I pray you, and drink not wine nor strong drink”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Certain Man of Zorah Named Manoah - Judges 13:2

In the book of Judges we learned how”the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD”, and in chapter thirteen and verse two of Judges, we learn how, “there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites whose name was Manoah” where we read,

And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.

The verse reads, “And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah;” The writer began with the words, “there was a certain man” which means “and there existed a particular male human being” “of Zorah” or ”belonging to Zorah or Zareah or Zoreah whose name means ‘hornet’ and was a town in Dan, residence of Manoah and the home town of Samson”, “of the family of the Danites” which means “pertaining to the relatives belonging to the Danites whose name means ‘judge’ and were the descendants of Dan, son of Jacob”, “whose name was Manoah” or “who was known and called Manoah whose name means ‘rest’ and was a Danite, father of the judge Samson and inhabitant of Zorah”. The writer shared about a particular male human being who was from “Zorah” who was one of the relatives “of the tribe of Dan” that was known as “Manoah”.

The verse continues, “and his wife was barren, and bare not.” The writer added the words, “and his wife was barren” which means “and his, Manoah’s, female spouse was sterile and unable to have children”, “and bare not” or “and did not bring forth or engender any children”. The writer shared how “Manoah’s” female spouse was sterile and unable to have any children.

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn about “Manoah” from “Zorah” who was among the tribe of “Dan”. We shall see how God uses “Manoah” and his “wife” in our next verses, but for now, let us consider that God was working on a solution to free “Israel” from the oppression of the Philistines. Although they abandoned Him and His ways, God was raising up an answer to their difficulties. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us too. He made a plan for our salvation from sin and death 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 surrender 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 empower us to work in His Kingdom according to His perfect plan and will. (See Matthew 6:33; 13:31-33; John 3:16; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how, “the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Did Evil Again In God’s Presence - Judges 13:1

In the book of Judges we learned after Jephthah, Ibzan and Elon ruled, “Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years. And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites”, and in chapter thirteen and verse one of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD ” where we read,

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD;

and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD;” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and 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” “did evil again” or ”performed and produced bad, malignancy, disagreeableness and wickedness another time”, “in the sight of the LORD” which means “within the vision and presence belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” performed malignancy and wickedness within the presence of Jehovah God another time.

The verse goes on to say, “and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.” The writer continued with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One” “delivered them in the hand” or “set, put, established and assigned them, the people of Israel, to be under the power, might, strength and authority” “of the Philistines” which means “belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants” and were the inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan” “forty years” or “forty annual sets of days”. The writer shared how Jehovah God responded to the wickedness performed by the people of “Israel” by putting them into the power and might of the “Philistines”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” performed wickedness within the presence of Jehovah God yet another time, and on this occasion He set and put them under the power and authority of the “Philistines”. This was not God’s original desire, and if the people of “Israel” had not abandoned Him and His ways, they would have never suffered this consequence. However, they, like us, sometimes need to go through difficulties to turn back to Him. God loves us, and 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 yield to Him as our personal “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 empower us to live according to that truth so we never turn away from Him and thereby do not have to suffer consequences from our hating foes. (See John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Next time we learn how, “there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites whose name was Manoah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Abdon the Son of Hillel Died - Judges 12:15

In the book of Judges we learned after Jephthah, Ibzan and Elon ruled, “Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel. And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years”, and in chapter twelve and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how, “Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died” where we read,

And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died,

and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.

The verse reads, “And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died,” The writer began with the words, “and Abdon” whose name means “servile” “the son of Hillel the Pirothonite” or ”the male offspring and progeny belonging to Hillel whose name means ‘praising’ and was a native of Pirathon whose name means ‘princely’ in Mount Ephraim, the father of Abdon the judge, “died” which means “became inanimate, breathless and expired”. The writer shared how “Hillel the Pirathonite’s” male offspring expired.

The verse continues, “and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.” The writer added the words, “and was buried in Pirathon” which means “and was entombed within Pirathon whose name means ‘princely’” “in the land of Ephraim” or “within the region, territory and country belonging to Ephram whose name means ‘double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was the second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh”, “in the mount of the Amalekites” which means “within the rising above the plain belonging to the Amalekites or Amalek whose name means ‘people of lapping’ and were the descendants of Amalek who was the grandson of Esau”. The writer shared how “Abdon” was entombed within he city of “Pirathon” within the region belonging to “Ephraim” within the rising above the plain belonging to the “Amalekites”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Abdon’s” ministry within the Kingdom of God came to an end, and he expired. He was entombed within his home city “Pirathon” in “Ephraim” and in the risings above the plain belonging to the “Amalekites”. God employed the services of “Abdon” and blessed His family, and He will do the same for us when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. At the time 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 give us the ability to perform whatever service He desires in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Philippians 2:13)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Forty Sons and Thirty Nephews - Judges 12:14

In the book of Judges we learned after Jephthah and Ibzan ruled, “Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years. And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun. And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel”, and in chapter twelve and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how Abdon, “had forty sons and thirty nephews” where we read,

And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts:

and he judged Israel eight years.

The verse reads, “And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts:” The writer began with the words, “and he had forty sons” which means “and he, Abdon, engendered forty male offspring and progeny” “and thirty nephews” or ”and thirty grandsons”, “that rode on threescore and ten ass colts” which means “who mounted upon seventy donkeys”. The writer shared how “Abdon” engendered “forty” male offspring and “thirty” grandsons who mounted upon seventy donkeys.

The verse goes on to say, “and he judged Israel eight years.” The writer continued with the words, “and he judged Israel” which means “and he, Abdon, governed and ruled over Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “eight years” or “for eight annual sets of days”. The writer shared how “Abdon” ruled over “Israel” for eight annual sets of days.

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Abdon” engendered “forty” male offspring and “thirty” grandsons who mounted seventy donkeys. The ideas was that they were abundant and elite, and the fact that “Abdon” ruled over “Israel” for “eight years” demonstrated his prominence within the Kingdom of God. God blesses people and their families when they yield themselves to 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 give us the ability and blessings to carry out His will for us in this life and the next. (See John 3:16; Psalm 40:8; 143:10)

Next time we learn how, “Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…