The Word for Today with Ray: April 2026

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

To the Roof of the House - Joshua 2:6

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote how Rahab the harlot hid two men who were spies from Israel, and she told the king’s men who were seeking them, “it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: where the men went I do not know: pursue after them quickly; for you shall overtake them.”, and in chapter two and verse six of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua said, “she had brought them up to the roof of the house” where we read,

But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax,

which she had laid in order upon the roof.

The verse reads, “But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, …” Joshua began with the words, “but she had brought them up” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover she, Rahab, led them, the two men of Israel” “to the roof of the house” or “to the housetop belonging to the abode, habitation and dwelling place”, “and hid them” which means “and concealed in secret the two men of Israel” “with the stalks of flax” or “by the use of the timber, stock, planks and sticks with fibre used as material for garments”. Joshua or the author shared how “Rahab” led the “two men” of Israel to the housetop of her dwelling place and concealed them within the timbers and planks of fiber material.

The verse continues, “… which she had laid in order upon the roof.” Joshua added the words, “which she had laid in order” or “that she, Rahab, set, arranged and arrayed in an orderly fashion” “upon the roof” which means “on the housetop”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rahab” concealed the “two men” of Israel under the wooden “flax” that she arranged in an orderly fashion upon her rooftop.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how “Rahab” led the “two men of Israel” to the housetop and concealed them beneath wooden “stock” she had arranged in an orderly fashion. We can imagine what it must have been like for those “two men” as they lie quietly beneath the wooden coverage. God’s plan was coming together, and because He promised to give the people of Israel this territory, He would fulfill His plan. God has promised us everlasting life with Him in Heaven, and when we yield ourselves to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide the leading of His Holy Spirit who will insure that we keep in alignment with Him even if it means being concealed in secret until we inherit our everlasting home with Him.

Next time the writer or Joshua says, “the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords”, 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".

The Men Went Out - Joshua 2:5

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote, “Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in here to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to you, which are entered into your house: for they be come to search out all the country. And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, there came men unto me, but I did not know where they were”, and in chapter two and verse five of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared Rahab told the king’s men, “the men went out” where we read,

And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: where the men went I do not know: pursue after them quickly; for you shall overtake them.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out:” Joshua began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred” “about the time of shutting of the gate” or “around the moment for the closing of the door or port to the city”, “when it was dark” which means “at the time and moment it was obscure and toward night”, “that the men went out” or “that the male human beings left and departed”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rahab” told the king’s officers the “two men” departed through the portals of the city as it was getting to be nighttime.

The verse goes on to say, “where the men went I do not know: pursue after them quickly; for you shall overtake them.” Joshua continued with the words, “where the men went” or “to what location or place the men exited and departed” “I do not know” which means “I, Rahab, am unaware and without knowledge”: “pursue after them quickly” or “follow, chase and run after them, the two men, in a swift and hurried fashion”; “for you shall overtake them” which means “because, since and on account that you, the royal ruler’s men, will reach and take hold of them, the two men”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rahab” also told the “king’s men” that she was unaware of the “two men’s” destination, and she encouraged them to chase after them in a hurried fashion because they would reach and take hold of them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how “Rahab” continued to mislead the men dispatched to her by the royal ruler. Although “Rahab” continued to deceive the king’s men, she was being used by God to preserve these men. God has a plan, and He is going to work it out. It is interesting to consider that “Rahab” was not a Hebrew and would have been considered to be a pagan Gentile. God wants everyone to be saved, Jew and Gentile (See Romans 1:16; 2:10), and whosoever believes and trusts in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit to be guided into the truth and be used like these “two men and Rahab” in His Kingdom to fulfill His purposes and will.

Next time the writer or Joshua says, “she had brought them up to the roof of the house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The Woman Hiding the Two Men - Joshua 2:4

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote, “Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in here to night of the children of Israel to search out the country. And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to you, which are entered into your house: for they be come to search out all the country”, and in chapter two and verse four of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua said, “the woman took the two men, and hid them” where we read,

And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus,

There came men unto me, but I did not know where they were:

The verse reads, “And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, …” Joshua began with the words, “and the woman” which means “and the female human being Rahab” “took the two men” or “the two male human beings who were spies”, “and hid them” which means “and treasured, stored up and caused to be hidden them, the two men”, “and said thus” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed the following”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Rahab” the “two men”, stored them in secret and uttered the following words.

The verse continues, “… There came men unto me, but I did not know where they were:” Joshua added the words, “there came men unto me” or “there entered, approached and came forth the male human beings to me, Rahab”, “but I did not know” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover I, Rahab, in no way perceived, discerned, distinguished or knew by experience” “where they were” or “in what place or location they, the two men, existed”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men” came forth to her, however, she was unaware of their location.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Rahab” not only concealed the “two men” but she also stretched the truth or lied concerning the whereabouts of the men. These men were part of God’s plan to give the promise land to the people of Israel, and although their opposition desired to destroy them, God saved them through “Rahab”. God has a plan for our eternal salvation 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 to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and preserve us for His purposes according to His Divine will and plan.

Next time the writer or Joshua shares how, “the men went out”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Bring Forth the Men - Joshua 2:3

And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to you,

which are entered into your house: for they be come to search out all the country.

The verse reads, “And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to you, …” Joshua began with the words, “and the king of Jericho” which means “and the royal ruler and leader belonging to Jericho whose name means its moon and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan” “sent unto Rahab” or “dispatched and assigned to Rahab whose name means wide”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and demanding”, “bring forth the men” or “carry and proceed forward with the male human beings” “that are come to you” which means “who have entered and came forth to you, Rahab”. Joshua or the writer shared how the royal ruler of “Jericho” sent messengers to “Rahab’s” house to tell her to “bring” the men out who came to her.

The verse goes on to say, “… which are entered into your house: for they be come to search out all the country.” Joshua continued with the words, “which are entered” or “who are come” “into your house” which means “in your, Rahab’s, abode, habitation and dwelling place”: “for they be come” or “because, since and on account that they, the two men, have entered and come forth” “to search out all the country” which means “to delve into and explore each, every and the whole region, district and territory”. Joshua or the writer shared how the king’s men continued their thought with desiring the “two men” who came into “Rahab’s” dwelling place because they entered Jericho to explore every part of the territory.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the royal ruler of “Jericho” dispatched servants to go to “Rehab’s” house to seek out the “two men” who were entered there. These men knew the “two men of Israel” entered into their city to explore every part of their land, and the royal ruler wanted to stop them. We shall see what happens in our next few verses, but for now let us consider that the enemy was aware of what the “two men” were going to do. God is for us and not against us. He loves us, and we have an enemy against our souls. The enemy’s desire is to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus has come to give us life through His death on the cross for the sins of all mankind and His resurrection from the dead after three days. (See John 10:10) 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 protect us against the enemy of our souls who desires to thwart the plan of God for our lives.

Next time the writer or Joshua says, “the woman took the two men, and hid them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Told to the King of Jericho - Joshua 2:2

In the book of Joshua, the author or Joshua wrote, “Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there”, and in chapter two and verse two of the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua said, “it was told the king of Jericho”, where we read,

And it was told the king of Jericho, saying,

Behold, there came men in here to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

The verse reads, “And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, …” Joshua began with the words, “and it was told” which means “and the following was communed and said to” “the king of Jericho” or “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Jericho whose name means its moon and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the following was communicated to the royal ruler belonging to the city of “Jericho”.

The verse continues, “… behold, there came men in here tonight of the children of Israel to search out the country.” Joshua added the word, “behold” or “lo, look and consider”, “there came men in here tonight” which means “there came forth and entered here, the city of Jericho, male human beings this night” “of the children of Israel” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny pertaining to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and nation of descendants of Jacob” “to search out the country” which means “to delve into and explore the territory, region and district”. Joshua or the writer shared how the royal ruler was informed that “men” entered the city of “Jericho” that very night for the purpose of exploring the territory.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how someone revealed to the royal ruler in “Jericho” that “men” entered the city of “Jericho” for the purpose of exploring or spying it out. We are unsure how they came about this knowledge, but nonetheless, they knew. Regardless of this, God’s plan was to be carried out concerning the people of Israel, the city of “Jericho” and the two spies. God always works out His plan, and because He had a plan for the salvation of mankind through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days, we may yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord” to have our sins forgiven, be granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and be with us regardless of how God’s intentions are exposed.

Next time the writer or Joshua says, “the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, April 20, 2026

Two Men Sent to Spy - Joshua 2:1

In the book of Joshua, the Reubenites, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh told Joshua, “whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment, and will not hearken unto your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage”, and in chapter two and verse one of his book Joshua, “sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly”, where we read,

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

The verse reads, “And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho.” Joshua began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “the son of Nun” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Nun whose name means fist or posterity” “sent out of Shittim” which means “dispatched and assigned from Shittim whose name means the acacias which was place west of Jerusalem and Israel's encampment between the conquest of the transjordanic region and crossing the Jordan into Canaan” “two men to spy secretly” or “two male human beings to be tale-bearers, explorers, slanderers and ones who go about secretly”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring”, “go view the land” or “leave and depart to see the district, region an territory”, “even Jericho” which means “indeed and also Jericho whose name means it’s moon and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua dispatched “two men” from “Shittim” to secretly “spy” on the territory known as “Jericho”.

The verse goes on to say, “And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.” Joshua continued with the words, “and they went” or “and they, the two men, left and departed”, “and came into an harlot’s house” which means “and entered in the abode, habitation and dwelling place of a prostitute”, “named Rahab” or “who was known by the name of Rahab which means wide”, “and lodged there” which means “and lie down, rested and relaxed in the harlot Rahab’s house”. Joshua or the writer said the “two men” who were dispatched to the city of “Jericho” entered into and rested in the dwelling place of a prostitute named “Rahab”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua dispatched “two men” from the city of “Shittim” to the “city of Jericho” which was located inside the promise land. Because they were “spies”, they went to the home of a prostitute whose name was “Rahab” to rest there. We should remember that these two men were to scope out “Jericho” because it was to be the first city which would be conquered by Joshua and the people of Israel. We shall see more about that in our verses to come, but for now, let us be reminded that God Almighty was going before the people of Israel and He would ultimately fight for them. God goes before 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 to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and lead us into territories where He has dispatched the “spies” who shall defeat our spiritual foes.

Next time the writer or Joshua says, “it was told the king of Jericho”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Whoever Rebels Against Joshua’s Commandment - Joshua 1:18

In the book of Joshua, Joshua told the people of Israel, “you shall return unto the land of your possession, and enjoy it, which Moses the LORD'S servant gave you on this side Jordan toward the sunrising. And they answered Joshua, saying, all that you command us we will do, and wherever you send us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto you: only the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses”, and in chapter one and verse eighteen of his book the Reubenites, the Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh tell Joshua what will happen to, “whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment”, where we read,

Whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment, and will not hearken unto your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.

The verse reads, “Whosoever he be that does rebel against your commandment, and will not hearken unto your words in all that you command him …” Joshua began with the words, “whosoever he be” which means “whatever person exists” “that does rebel against your commandments” or “who in any way or manner is contentious, rebellious, refractory and grievously provoking in opposition to your, Joshua’s, charges and orders”, “and will not hearken” which means “and shall in no way or manner listen to and obey” “unto your words” or “to your, Joshua’s, utterances, declarations and proclamations” “in all that you command him” which means “within each, every and the whole charge and order that person whether male or female” will have the following occur. The Ruebenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh said the person who rises in opposition to the charges of Joshua and does not obey everything that he orders will have the following happen.

The verse continues, “… he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.” Joshua added the words, “he shall be put to death” or “he, the rebellious person, will die, be killed or be executed”: “only be strong” which means “solely and alone exist as powerful, mighty, prevailing and resolute” “and of good courage” or “and belonging to pleasant, agreeable and favorable strength, firmness and boldness”. The Ruebenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh said the person who rebels against Joshua’s orders are to be executed, and they encouraged Joshua to solely be mighty, fearless and bold.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the Ruebenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh were to fulfill their obligation and commitment to Moses and Joshua. They promised to go into the promised land to fight alongside their kinsmen, and they were going in. They were so adamant about doing so that they said the person who does not obey Joshua’s orders was to be executed. They desired that Joshua be “strong and of good courage” because those traits were necessary to be victorious in the promise land. God desires these traits for us as well, and He will provide them to us through His Holy Spirit when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. As we humble ourselves and obey Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us the strength and boldness to carry out His purpose and will for our lives.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see how Joshua, “sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…