In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire”, and in chapter eleven and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take” where we read,
And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.
The verse reads, “And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and all the cities” which means “and each, every and the whole of the dwelling places and towns” “of those kings of them” or “belonging to the royal rulers and leaders assembled by Jabin”, “did Joshua take” which means “Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation seized, captured and occupied”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” seized and overtook every one of the dwelling places which belonged to the royal rulers who were collected together by “Jabin of Hazor”.
The verse continues, “… and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and smote them” which means “and struck, hit, beat and killed them, the people within the dwelling places” “with the edge of the sword” or “by the use of the extremity or end belonging to the sharpened knife or cutting instrument”, “and he utterly destroyed them” which means “and he, Joshua, completely exterminating and mutilating them the people within the kings’ dwelling places”, “as Moses” or “even and indeed like Moses whose name means drawn out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” which means “the slave, bondman and man of servile condition belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “commanded” or “charged and ordered”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” struck and killed the people of “all the cities” who belonged to the “kings” assembled by “Jabin” until their dwelling places were completely exterminated like “Moses”, God’s man of servile condition, ordered. (See Numbers 33:52-53; Deuteronomy 7:2, 20:16-17)
When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” completely annihilated all the people who lived within the cities of the “kings” gathered by “Jabin”. “Jabin” thought bringing a multitude of people together would assure a victory against “Israel”, but he was wrong and it cost his life and the lives of many people. God was for “Israel”, and no one nor any group is able to defeat Him. This same God desires to have a personal intimate relationship with every person through His Son Jesus who came into the world to live a perfect life, was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone, and He was raised from the dead after three days. When we believe and trust in 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 empower us to live in a manner that not only defeats our enemies, but is also very pleasing to God. (See John 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Next time we learn, “as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of 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".
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