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 in chapter eight and verse fourteen of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “when the king of Ai saw it” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “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, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred”, “when the king of Ai” or “at the time and moment the royal ruler and leader belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins” “saw it” which means “notice, discerned, distinguished and observed it, that Israel rose against them in battle”, “that they hasted” or “that they, the people of Ai hurried and moved quickly” “and rose up early” which means “got up and arose with an advanced start”, “and the men of the city” or “and the male human beings belonging to the dwelling place or town of Ai” “went out against Israel” which means “departed and exited their city in opposition to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “to battle” or “to fight and war”. Joshua or the writer shared at the time the royal ruler of “Ai” observed that Joshua and his men were ascending toward the city, the male warriors belonging to “Ai” quickly arose and exited to go to war in opposition to “Israel”.
The verse continues, “… 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.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “he and all his people” which means “he, the king of Ai, and each, every, the whole and every one of his human beings”, “at a time appointed” or “at a fixed and specific signal or time”, “before the plain” whose name means “in the presence and surface of the wilderness, steppe or sterile valley”; “but he did not know” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover he, the king of Ai, was without perception, discernment or understanding” “that there were liers in ambush” which means “that there existed those who were lurking and concealed warriors of Israel” “against him behind the city” or “in opposition to him, the king of Ai, at the hinder and rear side belonging to the dwelling place or town of Ai”. Joshua or the writer shared how the royal ruler of “Ai” along with his male warriors departed to the surface of the valley at a specific time, but the king was unaware that Joshua and the people of Israel had warriors lurking in place at the rear of their city.
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how God’s plan to take the “city of Ai” through Joshua and the warriors of Israel was being fulfilled. The royal ruler of “Ai” perceived that “Joshua” and the men of Israel were approaching their city from the valley, and this caused him to dispatch his warriors at a specific time. However, the king and the warriors of “Ai” were unaware that there was an “ambush” set for them at the rear of their city. God orchestrated this battle, and He would win. Joshua and the people of Israel were to carry out His orders, and as they did, God would win the victory for them. God loves Israel, and He loves us as well. He knew we needed a “Savior” because we have sin in our lives, and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us be victorious in His plan for our lives.
Next time we learn how, “Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment