In the book of Joshua, Joshua shared how the Lord told him, “there shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you”, and in chapter one and verse six of his book Jehovah God told Joshua, “be strong and of a good courage”, where we read,
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.
The verse reads, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “be strong” which means “exist as hardened, firm, resolute and prevailing” “and of a good courage or “and brave, stout and bold”: “for unto this people” which means “because, since and on account that toward this group of human beings both male and female” “shall you divide for an inheritance” or “will you, Joshua, split up on behalf of an acquired property or possession” “the land” which means “the region, district and territory”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God instructed Joshua to exist as resolute and bold because he would split up the promised territory given to the children of Israel.
The verse goes on to say, “… which I swore unto their fathers to give them.” Joshua continued with the words, “which I swore” or “that I, Jehovah God, bonded, adjured and took an oath” “unto their fathers” which means “to their, the children of Israel’s, forefathers and male ancestors” “to give them” or “to grant, bestow, ascribe and consecrate to them, the children of Israel”. Joshua or the writer how Jehovah God promised with an oath to the forefathers of Israel that He would “give” the “land” to them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God encouraged Joshua concerning his new position of leadership. Not only was Joshua to be resolute and bold because he would split up the territory among the children of Israel in the promise land, but he would also help fulfill God’s oath to their male ancestors that He would bestow it upon them. God does not lie, and when He makes a promise, He keeps it. (See Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2) He has promised to give forgiveness of sins and eternal life to everyone who puts their faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died upon the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. God loves us, and we can be “resolute and bold” concerning the promises of God when we completely surrender to Him.
Next time the LORD tells Joshua, “be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment