In the book of Joshua, we learned, “when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai. And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the king of Ai they took alive” where we read,
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
The verse reads, “And the king of Ai they took alive, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the king of Ai” which means “and the royal ruler and leader belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “they took alive” or “they, the people of Israel, lay hold of, seized and captured while living and breathing”. Joshua or the writer said the people of Israel captured the royal ruler of Ai while he was still living.
The verse goes on to say, “… and brought him to Joshua.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and brought him” which means “and carried him, the king of Ai, forth” “to Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation”. Joshua or the writer said the warriors of Israel carried the king of Ai “to Joshua”.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the warriors of Israel not only captured the royal ruler of “Ai”, but they kept him alive and carried him “to Joshua”. We shall see what happens to the king in our next verses, but for now let us realize this was also part of God’s plan for the conquering of “Ai”. God promised the people of Israel that they would receive the promise land, however, there was a process for accomplishing this. God has a plan for our lives as well which begins with us yielding to 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 submit to 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 fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives.
Next time we learn what happened, “when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment