In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua, “took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. 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. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them” where we read,
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them,
and fled by the way of the wilderness.
The verse reads, “And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “and all Israel” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone within Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “made as if there were beaten” which means “acted in a manner that was like they were stricken, conquered and defeated” “before them” or “in front and in the presence of them, the king of Ai and his warriors”. Joshua or the writer said “Joshua” and everyone of the warriors alongside of him acted as though they were defeated and conquered in the presence of the royal ruler of “Ai” and his fighting men.
The verse goes on to say, “… and fled by the way of the wilderness.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and fled” which means “and departed, took flight, escaped and ran away” “by the way of the wilderness” or “through the course and direction pertaining to the uninhabited desert place”. Joshua or the writer said “Joshua” and the warriors with him took flight and ran away in the direction of the uninhabited desert place.
When we consider the words in this verse, we see how step by step the will of God was being obeyed by “Joshua” and the men of war who accompanied him. After exposing themselves to the “king of Ai”, the royal ruler and his men of battle were dispatched to go to war against Israel. As “Joshua” and his men retreated, the “king of Ai” and his men quickly pursued after them because “Joshua” and his men acted like they were defeated. This caused them to go away from the “city of Ai”, and the trap was set for the warriors of Israel who were lying in wait at the rear of the city would now take charge. God knows what He is doing, and Israel and we are blessed when we follow His ways. God made the plan of salvation for all mankind when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, if 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 make us aware of His victorious purpose and plan for our lives.
Next time we learn how, “all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them”, 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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