In the book of Joshua, we learned about the people of Israel in battle against the five kings of the Amorites and their armies, and “the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah”, and in chapter ten and verse seventeen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave” where we read,
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
The verse reads, “And it was told Joshua, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it was told Joshua” which means “and it, the following, was made known, reported, declared and announced to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words”. Joshua or the writer shared how the following information was made known to “Joshua”.
The verse goes on to say, “… the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “the five kings” which means “the five royal rulers or leaders” “are found hid in a cave” or “exist as secured, encountered and discovered concealed and made secret within a hole or den” “at Makkedah” or “located at Makkedah whose name means ‘place of shepherds’ and was the location of a cave in Judah where Joshua captured and executed five Canaanite kings during the conquest; located near Bethhoron and Libnah”. Joshua or the writer shared how it was made known to “Joshua” that the “five” royal rulers belonging to the Amorites were concealed within a den which was located at “Makkedah”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “five kings of the Amorites” not only ran away to escape, but they concealed themselves within a den or “cave” which was located at “Makkedah”. Joshua was informed about this, and we shall see how he responds to that information in our next verses, but for now, let us be mindful that Jehovah God knows the whereabouts of everyone. In other words, there is no hiding from Him. God sees us, and He loves us. He knows we are separated from Him by our sins which lead to death, and for this reason He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23; John 3:16-18) When we yield our lives 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 remind us that He loves us and sees us at all times. (See John 16:13)
Next time we learn how, “Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth 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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