In the book of Joshua, Joshua or the writer shared how the Lord told him, “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”, and in chapter one and verse seven of this book Jehovah God told Joshua, “be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law”, where we read,
Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go.
The verse reads, “Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “only be you strong” which means “altogether, except and surely exist you, Joshua as hardened, firm, resolute and prevailing” “and very courageous” or “and exceedingly and abundantly brave, stout and bold”, “that you may observe to do” which means “so you, Joshua, might guard, give heed, have charge of and keep fashioning, accomplishing and making” “according to all the law” or “in keeping with each, every and the whole of the direction, instruction and codes”, “all the law” which means “each, every and the whole of the direction, instruction and codes”, “which Moses my servant” or “that Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus as well as Jehovah God’s man of servile condition, slave and bondman” “commanded you” which means “charged, appointed and ordered you, Joshua and the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer repeated how Jehovah God instructed Joshua to exist as hardened, firm, resolute, brave and bold so he and the people of Israel might keep every part of God’s “law” in the same manner He provided to him and the people of Israel through His minister “Moses” who gave them them the “ten commandments”.
The verse continues, “turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go.” Joshua added the words, “turn not from it” or “do not depart, avoid or turn aside separate and apart from the law of God” “to the right hand” which means “toward the right hand direction” “or to the left” or “or toward the left hand direction”, “that you may prosper” which means “so you, Joshua and the people of Israel, might be prudent, wise, understanding and circumspect” “whithersoever you go” or “in whatever place or location that you, Joshua and the children of Israel, depart, proceed and move”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told Joshua not to turn to the left or right direction aside from the “law” of God so he and the people of Israel would be prudent and circumspect in whatever place they proceeded.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to instruct Joshua for his new position as leader of Israel. God’s direction for Joshua is good for us as well. God repeated His instruction to Joshua to be hardened, firm, resolute, brave and bold so he could keep “all” of God’s commandments which were given to “Moses” who was God’s minister to the people of Israel. Joshua was to follow the “law” in a straight and direct manner, and he was not to wander to the left or right of what God commanded. (See Matthew 7:13-14) When Joshua and the people of Israel obeyed God’s commandments, they would be prudent and circumspect in whatever place they traveled. God desires that we keep His “law” as well, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, 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 according to His truth as we “prosper” wherever we go.
Next time the LORD tells Joshua, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth”, 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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