In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city”, and in chapter eight and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how,“Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley” where we read,
And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city,
and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
The verse reads, “And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and when they had set the people” which means “and at the time and moment they, the people of Israel, had fixed, placed and established the human beings”, “even all the host” or “indeed and also each, every, the whole and everyone of the encampment or army camp” “that was on the north” which means “that existed in the northern direction” “of the city” or “pertaining to the dwelling place or town”. Joshua or the writer shared at the time the people of Israel were established in their places including every one of the army who were encamped on the northern side of the city of “Ai”.
The verse goes on to say, “… and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and their lies in wait” which means “and their, the people of Israel’s, hinder part or rear of the army “on the west of the city” or “in the western direction pertaining to the dwelling place or town”, “Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “went that night” or “left and departed that particular nighttime” “into the midst of the valley” which means “in the middle of the lowland or steep narrow gorge”. Joshua or the writer said the people of Israel who lurked in the western direction of the city of “Ai”, and Joshua departed into the middle steep valley during that nighttime.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel and Joshua were on the move against the city of “Ai”. Some of them were established in the northern direction of “Ai”, and others were in the western direction. Lurking and ambush was part of the plan to defeat “Ai”, and with some troops, including Joshua himself, moving in the darkness of night, they were preparing for battle with the warriors of the city. God was watching over these things, and as Joshua and His people complied with His instructions, they would indeed be victorious. God wants us to walk in victory with Him 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 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 help us live according to that truth in a manner that is victorious and pleasing to Him. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37-39)
Next time we learn what happened, “when the king of Ai saw it”, 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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