In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai”, and in chapter eight and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up” where we read,
And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
The verse reads, “And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all the people of war” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the human beings pertaining to fighting and battle” “that were with him” or “who accompanied and were alongside him, Joshua”, “went up” which means “departed and ascended”, “and drew nigh” or “and came forth and approached”. Joshua or the writer said everyone of the human beings who were prepared for battle were alongside Joshua, went forth and approached “Ai”.
The verse goes on to say, “… and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and came before the city” which means “and moved in front and in the presence of the dwelling place or town”, “and pitched on the north side” or “and abided, rested and encamped on the northern direction” “of Ai” which means “pertaining to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”: “now there was a valley” or “there existed a lowland or steep narrow gorge” “between them and Ai” which means “in the middle of them, Joshua and the people of Israel, and Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua and the people of Israel who accompanied him moved toward the town of “Ai” and encamped in the northern direction of it even while there existed a lowland or steep narrow gorge between them and the city of “Ai”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel who were trained for fighting ascended and came close to the city of “Ai” alongside of Joshua. They set up camp in the northern direction of the city with a lowland or steep narrow gorge separating them. The battle was set in array, and we shall see how Jehovah God gives Joshua and the people of Israel the victory in our next few verses. For now let us consider that God’s plan was being fulfilled through Joshua and the people of Israel, and step by step they were complying with the will of God. God wants us to have this type of relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who He sent into the world to die on the cross for the sin of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield our lives to 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 help us follow Him and His ways step by step as He reveals them to us.
Next time we learn how Joshua, “took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai”, 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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