In the book of Joshua, we learned about Israel fighting the five kings of the Amorites and their armies, “and it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities. And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-two of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings” where we read,
Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave,
and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.
The verse reads, “Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then said Joshua” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “Open the mouth” or “let loose and break forth the orifice or opening” “of the cave” or “belonging to the hole or den”. Joshua told his men to let loose the opening belonging to the den or “cave” where the five Amorites kings were hiding.
The verse continues, “… and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and bring out those five kings” which means “and lead, carry and make to proceed forward the five royal rulers of the Amorites” “unto me out of the cave” or “toward me, Joshua, from the hole or den”. Joshua instructed his men to lead the “five” royal rulers of the Amorites from out of the den where they were hiding.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua began to address the capture of the “five” royal rulers of the Amorites. He told his men to remove the huge stones in front of the den where they were hiding, and to lead them out of the “cave” to him. We shall learn the fate of these “five kings” in our next few verses, but for now let us be mindful of the control “Joshua” was given by God over these pagan rulers. God is able to defeat all enemies, and when He knew we had sin in our lives that leads to eternal death and separates us from Him, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind. He raised Him from the dead after three days, and when we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us defeat the enemies that arise against our souls. (See 1 Corinthians 15:26)
Next time we learn how Joshua’s men, “brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave”, 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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