In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spoke unto them”, and in chapter four and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle” where we read,
About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle,
to the plains of Jericho.
The verse reads, “About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “about forty thousand” which means “approximately forty thousand warriors from Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”“prepared for war” or “who were ready and armed for battle and fighting” “passed over” which means “crossed the Jordan river” “before the LORD” or “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name for the One True God” “unto battle” which means “to fighting and war”. Joshua or the writer said there were about “forty thousand” men who were armed for fighting and war in the presence of Jehovah God.
The verse continues, “… to the plains of Jericho.” Joshua added the words, “to the plains” or “toward the desert steppe or wilderness” “of Jericho” which means “belonging to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer said the “forty thousand” men in battle array from “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh” moved toward the desert wilderness belonging to “Jericho”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there were around “forty thousand” warriors who were dressed for battle who were from the tribes of “Reuben, Gad and one half of the clan of Manasseh”, and these men crossed the Jordan in the presence of Jehovah God. We can imagine the pomp that was there as these military men made their way to the promise land. They were to fulfill their obligation to help their fellow Israelites in conquering their territories, and because they keep their word, they were ready for battle. God wants us to be this way because He too went to battle on our behalf when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we submit our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and lead us into spiritual battles where we too shall be conquerors over our enemies. (See Romans 8:37)
Next time we discover, “On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel”, 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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