In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; And they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, …”, and in chapter ten and verse four of the book of Joshua, we learn how, Adonizedek said, “Come up unto me, and help me” where we read,
Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon:
for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.
The verse reads, “Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “come up unto me” which means “rise, ascend and shoot forth toward me, Adonizedek”, “and help me” or “and succor, support, give aid and assistance” to me, Adonizedek”, “that we may smite Gibeon” which means “so we, Adonizedek and the other kings, might hit, beat, slay and kill Gibeon whose name means hill city and was a Levitical city of Benjamin, modern 'el-Jib', which lies five miles or eight km from Jerusalem”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Adonizedek” appealed to the four Canaanite kings to ascend toward him and give him aid so they together might strike and kill “Gibeon”.
The verse continues, “for it has made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “for it has made peace” which means “because, since and on account that it, Gibeon, has caused and formed a covenant of calm, soundness, safety and tranquility” “with Joshua” or “alongside of Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “and with the children of Israel” which means “and alongside and accompanying the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Adonizedek” told the four other Canaanite kings that “Gibeon” formed an alliance and covenant with “Joshua” and the offspring of “Israel”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Adonizedek” desired to have the four other Canaanite royal rulers to go to battle with him against “Gibeon”. He knew Israel was a formidable army, and he needed assistance if he was ever going to conquer them. He failed to factor in Jehovah God who was on Israel’s side, and no army nor group of armies is able to defeat Him. God wants to have this type of relationship with us through His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of the world and resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and guide us step by step when others rise up against us and Him.
Next time we learn how “the five kings of the Amorites … gathered themselves together”, 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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