In the book of Joshua, we learned about Israel fighting the five kings of the Amorites and their armies, and “it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them”, and in chapter ten and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua said, “stay you not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them” where we read,
And stay you not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.
The verse reads, “And stay you not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and stay you not” which means “and do not you, Joshua’s men, remain or endure”, “but pursue after” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover follow behind and run after to secure” “your enemies” or “your, the people of Israel’s, hating foes and adversaries”, “and smite the hindmost of them” which means “and cut off and attack the rear or tail of them, the hating foes and adversaries”. Joshua instructed his men not to remain where they were but to run after and attack their hated foes who were in the rear.
The verse goes on to say, “suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “suffer them not” which means “do not allow or permit them, the hating foes or enemies” “to enter into their cities” or “to go into or attain their dwelling places and habitations”: “for the LORD your God” which means “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity” “has delivered them” or “has given, bestowed, put and set them, the five kings of the Amorites and their armies” “into your hand” which means “to your, the people of Israel’s, power, might and authority”. Joshua told his men not to allow their enemies to go in to or attain their dwelling places because Jehovah God, their Supreme Deity, has given their enemies into their power, strength and authority.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Joshua wanted his men to be on the move against their “enemies”, to run after them and to kill those who were at the rear of their armies. They were not to allow them to go into their dwelling places because Jehovah God gave their enemies over to their power and authority. God was working on behalf of the people of Israel, and although He used the Israelite army to accomplish His will, He was behind their efforts and the ability to conquer them. God wants to work in our lives as well. He knows we have the enemy of sin in our lives which leads to death, (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) so He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the grave after three days. When we submit our lives to 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 lead us into the battles for others’ souls in keeping with His perfect plan and will.
Next time we learn what happened, “when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter”, 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