In the book of Joshua, we learned how Jehovah God told Israel, “you shall do to Ai and her king as you did unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take a prey unto yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night”, and in chapter eight and verse four of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “you shall lie in wait against the city” where we read,
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be you all ready:
The verse reads, “And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and he commanded them” which means “and he, Joshua, charged and ordered them, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “behold, you shall lie in wait against the city” which means “lo, look and consider you, thirty thousand mighty men, will lurk and lay an ambush in opposition to the dwelling place or town”, “even behind the city” or “indeed and also after and in the hinder part of the dwelling place or town”. Joshua ordered the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” to lay an ambush in the hinder part of the town of “Ai”.
The verse goes on to say, “go not very far from the city, but be you all ready:.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “go not very far” which means “do not be distant and removed a great distance” “from the city” or “separate and apart from the dwelling place or town of Ai”, “but be you all ready” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover every one of you, the thirty thousand mighty men of valor, are to exist as firm, stable, established, secure and prepared”. Joshua continued to instruct the “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” by telling them not to go a great distance apart from “Ai”, however they were to be securely prepared.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Joshua began to fulfill God’s command for the people of Israel as they were to go to battle against “Ai” once again. This time “Joshua” not only selected “thirty thousand mighty men of valor” but he ordered them to set up “an ambush” at the rear of the city and to exist as prepared. God gave this directive to “Joshua”, and “Joshua” gave it to these men. God knew Israel’s enemy, and He knows ours. He knew we have sin in our lives that will lead to destruction and eternal defeat if no one stood in on our behalf. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead so when we obey His directive to believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into all truth and prepare us for “battle” so we become conquerors through His power and means. (See John 16;13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)
Next time we learn how, “Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai”, 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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