In the book of Joshua, we are learned how, “the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure you dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are your servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are you? and from where do you come? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD your God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, …”, and in chapter nine and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Gibeon continued by saying, “all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan” where we read,
And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan,
to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.
The verse reads, “And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all that he did” which means “and each, every, the whole and everything that he, Jehovah God, fashioned, accomplished, produced and performed” “to the two kings” or “toward the two royal rulers and leaders” “of the Amorites” which means “belonging to the Amorites whose name means a sayer and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “that were beyond Jordan” or “that existed in the region opposite or across 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)”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “Hivites” also told “Joshua” how they “heard” about the two “royal rulers” belonging to the “Amorites” who were in the region opposite the “Jordan” river.
The verse goes on to say, “… to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to Sihon” which means “toward Sihon whose name means warrior and was king of the Amorites at the time of the conquest who defeated by Moses in Transjordan”, “king of Heshbon” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Heshbon whose name means stronghold and was the capital city of Sihon, king of the Amorites, located on the western border of the high plain and on the border line between the tribes of Reuben and Gad”, “and to Og” whose name means “long-necked and was the Amorite king of Bashan and one of the last representatives of the giants of Rephaim” “king of Bashan” or “royal ruler and leader belonging to Bashan whose name means fruitful and was a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility which was given to the half-tribe of Manasseh” “which was at Ashtaroth” or “that existed in the location of Ashtaroth or Astaroth whose name means star and was false goddesses in the Canaanite religion, usually related to fertility cult”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “Hivites” said they “heard” about what Jehovah God did to “Sihon” who was the royal ruler belonging to “Heshbon” and “Og” who was the “Amorite” royal ruler who reigned over “Bashan” in the location of “Ashtaroth”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “Hivites” had “heard” more about the conquests of Israel through Almighty God. In other words, God’s conquering nature was well known, and we can imagine the fear this put in the hearts of the people who “heard” about Him. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our trust and faith in 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 stay in keeping with the fame, reputation and glory of Almighty God.
Next time we learn how the men of Gibeon continue by saying, “our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment