In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, you are old and stricken in years, and there remains yet very much land to be possessed. This is the land that yet remains: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri,”, and in chapter thirteen and verse three of Joshua we discover how Jehovah God told “Joshua” the land remains, “from Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward” where we read,
From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:
The verse reads, “From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “from Sihor” which means “even from Sihor or Shihor whose name means ‘dark’ and was a river or canal on east border of Egypt and a branch of the Nile”, “which is before Egypt” or “that exists in front and in the presence belonging to Egypt whose name means ‘land of the Copts’ and is a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows”, “even unto the borders” which means “indeed toward the boundaries or edges” “of Ekron northward” or “belonging to Ekron whose name means ‘immigration’ and was the most northerly of the five principal cities of the Philistines; located in the lowlands of Judah and later given to Danin which is located a northern direction”, “which is counted” which means “that is numbered and enumerated” “to the Canaanite” or “to the Canaanite whose name means ‘zealous’ and were the descendant or inhabitant of Canaan”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God said the land apart from “Sihor” to the edges of “Ekron” which was in a northern location and belonged to the people of “Canaan” were also among the territories that remained to be conquered by “Israel”.
The verse goes on to say, “five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “five lords” which means “five rulers or tyrants” “of the Philistines” or “belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and referred to an inhabitant of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan”; “the Gazahites” or the Gazites whose name means “the strong” and were “inhabitants of the city of Gaza”, “and the Ashdohites” or “and the Ashdohites whose name means ‘I will spoil’ and were the inhabitants of Ashdod” “the Eshkalonites” whose name means “the fire of infamy; I shall be weighed” and were “the inhabitants of Askkelon, “the Gittites” whose name means “belonging to Gath” and were “the inhabitants of Gath”, “and the Ekronites” whose name means “immigration” and were “the inhabitants of Ekron”; “also the Avites” or “indeed and even so the Avites or Avims whose name means “perverters” and were “the inhabitants of Ava or Ivan”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told “Joshua” that the five rulers of the “Philistiines” - the “Gazathites, Ashdothites, Eshkalonites, Gittites, Ekronites”and one more, “the Avites” were among the people groups who remained to be defeated by “Israel”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn more of the locations which Jehovah God told “Joshua” had not yet been occupied by the people of “Israel”. The expanse between “Sihor and Ekron” were regions to be seized as well as the lands of the “Philistines” who were the “Gazathites, Ashdothites, Eshkalonites, Gittites, Ekronites” and “the Avites”. Each of these places were opportunities for the people of “Israel” to conquer and possess within the promise land, and more shall be added to them by Jehovah God in our next few verses. In like manner, God has a great inheritance for everyone who yields 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 enable us to live in a manner that is not only pleasing to Him, but will also shall provide great rewards for all eternity.
Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells “Joshua” the land that remains is also from, “the south, all the land of the Canaanites”, 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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