In the book of Joshua, we learned, “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 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”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn, “as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them” where we read,
But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them,
save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.
The verse reads, “But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but as for the cities” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover considering the dwelling places or towns” “that stood still” or “which remained, continued and persisted”, “in their strength” which means “within their, the cities’, power, might and authority”, “Israel burned none of them” or “Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob kindled and set on fire not a single one of them, the cities that remained”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” did not kindle with fire any of the dwelling places who remained in their power.
The verse goes on to say, “… save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “save Hazor only” which means “with the exception of Hazor whose name means ‘castle’ and was a royal city of northern Palestine allotted to Naphtali alone”; “that did Joshua burn” or “that Joshua kindled with fire”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” made an exception when he set “Hazor” on fire.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” was lenient to the dwelling places who remained in their power, however, “Hazor” did not receive an exemption as he set their place on fire. God contended with these foes of “Israel”, and when He allowed them not to be “burned”, they weren’t. However, when they existed like “Hazor”, they were set on fire. God knows how to deal with every person or group of people, and because He loves everyone, He desires to have a personal relationship with them through 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 surrender 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 provide His wisdom for dealing with people in keeping with His perfect will and plan.
Next time we learn how, “all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey”, 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