In the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua wrote, “the LORD spoke unto Joshua, saying, …”, and in chapter four and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how the LORD told Joshua, “Command the priests that … that they come up out of Jordan” where we read,
Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, that they come up out of Jordan.
The verse reads, “Command the priests that bear the ark of the testimony, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “command the priests” which means “order and charge the spiritual leaders, chiefs and officials” “that bear the ark” or “who lift up and carry the box or chest” “of the testimony” which means “pertaining to witness”. Jehovah God told Joshua to order the spiritual leaders who lifted up and carried the “ark of witness or the testimony” to do the following.
The verse goes on to say, “… that they come up out of Jordan.” Joshua continued with the words, “that they come up” or “that they, the priests, climb, ascend and spring forth” “of Jordan” which means “from Jordan whose name means descender and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)”. Jehovah God instructed Joshua to tell the spiritual leaders to ascend from the “Jordan” river.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God spoke to Joshua again and instructed him to tell the spiritual leaders to ascend from their place within the “Jordan” river. The people of Israel had crossed the river, and now the spiritual leaders were to climb up from their set place in the “Jordan”. Step by step God was fulfilling His promise and plan with the people of Israel, and they were obeying His instructions. God loves the people of Israel, and they were to enter the promise land in keeping with His ways. He loves us as well, and He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given the wisdom of His Holy Spirit when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. We are most wise when we simply trust and obey His way, and we shall enjoy His promised Heaven forever and ever when we do.
Next time we learn how, “Joshua … commanded the priests … Come you up out of Jordan”, 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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