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…
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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