In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai. For Joshua drew not his hand. back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap” where we read,
And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
The verse reads, “And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” which means “and Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation” “burnt Ai” or “set Ai, whose name means heap of ruins, on fire”, “and made it an heap” which means “and caused it to be a mound or elevation of ruins” “for ever” or “perpetually, without end and evermore”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire which caused it to be a mound of ruins perpetually.
The verse goes on to say, “… even a desolation unto this day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “even a desolation” which means “also and indeed a wasted and devastation” “unto this day” or “to the current time period or season”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Ai” was indeed as a wasted devastation to that current time period.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” set the city of “Ai” on fire and caused it to be a mound of ruins and devastation to that current time period. “Ai” and it’s “inhabitants” were destroyed, and the plan of God was fulfilled. God hates evil and wickedness, and because sin causes us to be separated from a personal relationship with Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three day so when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and cleanse us from all unrighteousness which will be buried like a “heap of ruins” similar to “Ai’.
Next time we learn how, “the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide”, 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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