In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. And you shall command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When you are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, you shall stand still in Jordan”, and in chapter three and verse nine of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua told the people of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD” where we read,
And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here,
and hear the words of the LORD your God.
The verse reads, “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come here, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “said unto the children of Israel” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of descendants of Jacob”, “Come here” which means “approach and draw close to this location”. Joshua instructed the offspring of “Israel” to draw near to him.
The verse goes on to say, “… and hear the words of the LORD your God.” Joshua added the words, “and hear the words” or “and perceive, discern, distinguish and understand the utterances, declarations and proclamations” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “your God” or “your, the children of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua told the “children of Israel” to perceive and understand the utterances from Jehovah God.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua addressed the offspring of “Israel” by telling them to draw near to him so they could perceive and understand Jehovah Gods’ declarations. God used Joshua to speak to the people of “Israel”, and because He loves them, He desires that they not only “hear” Him, but also obey what He has to say. The same is true for us. God wants us to know Him and His words through a personal relationship with Him by His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He was 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 empower us to live according to the truth that we “hear” from Him. (See James 4:8)
Next time Joshua says, “hereby you shall know that the living God is among you”, 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".
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