In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua said to the thirty thousand mighty men of valor concerning Israel taking Ai, “it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall you do. See, I have commanded you. Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people”, and in chapter eight and verse ten of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people”where we read,
And 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.
The verse reads, “And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua rose up early” which means “and Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ got up and made an initial start” “and numbered the people” or “and reckoned, paid attention to and oversaw the human beings of Israel”, “and went up” which means “and ascended and went forth”. Joshua got up “early in the morning”, reckoned the people who were with him and ascended toward the following.
The verse continues, “… he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “he and the elders” which means “he, Joshua, and the aged and older men” “of Israel” or “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “before the people” which means “in front and in advance of the human beings” “to Ai” or “toward Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua and the aged men of “Israel” ascended alongside each other toward the “city of Ai”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua got an early start at the dawn of the day and ascended to the city of “Ai” alongside the aged men in “Israel”. The plan was underway, and step by step Joshua and the people of Israel were implementing God’s will. We shall see what happens in our next verses, but for now let us consider that at this point, they were marching forward in faith. God is faithful to His word, and although Joshua and the people of Israel were in the middle of His desire, His will would be done. God is purposed to offer salvation to everyone through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and guide us into all truth by His Holy Spirit who will teach us the value of trusting Him even while being in the middle of His plan. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time we learn how, “all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up”, 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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