In the book of Joshua, we learned how,” the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai; for I will give it into your hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city”, and in chapter eight and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the ambush arose quickly out of their place” where we read,
And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.
The verse reads, “And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the ambush arose quickly” which means “and the men who were concealed and lying in wait got up in a hurried fashion” “out of their place” or “from their location”, “and they ran” which means “and they, the men lying in wait, darted swiftly and speedily” “as soon as he had stretched out” or “at the moment he, Joshua, thrust forth and extended” “his hand” which means “his, Joshua’s, hand of might and authority”. Joshua or the writer shared how the warriors of Israel who were lying in wait behind the city of “Ai” got up in a hurried manner from their location at the time “Joshua” extended his sharpened weapon toward the city.
The verse goes on to say, “and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they entered” which means “and they, the warriors of Israel who were lying in wait came and were brought near”.“into the city” or “to the dwelling place or town of Ai”, “and took it” which means “and seized and captured it, the city of Ai”, “and hasted” or “and hurried and worked quickly” “and set the city on fire” which means “and kindled or burned the dwelling place or town with fiery fire”. Joshua or the writer shared how the men who were lying in wait came into the dwelling place of Ai, captured it and hurried to burn the “city” with fiery fire.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the warriors of “Israel” who were established in an “ambush” at the rear of the city of “Ai” captured the city when Joshua lifted up the sharpened weapon within his “hand”. We can imagine the surprise of the people of “Ai” when they noticed how the warriors of Israel burned their city, and we shall see how they respond in our next verse. For now, let us be reminded that God knew this would happen, and as Joshua and the people of Israel obeyed Him, they would be victorious. In like manner, God desires victory and salvation for us 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 yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us know His ways to conquer our circumstances, situations and enemies.
Next time we learn what happened, “when the men of Ai looked behind 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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