In the book of Joshua, we learned about Israel fighting the five kings of the Amorites who fled from the army of Israel and hid in a cave, and Joshua told his men to bring the kings to him, and “when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom you fight. And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-seven of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees” where we read,
And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded,
and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.
The verse reads, “And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred” “at the time of the going down of the sun” or “at dusk, the sunset or eventide”, “that Joshua commanded” which means “that Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation charged and ordered”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” gave command at the sunset of the day when the five kings of the Amorites were hung on five trees.
The verse goes on to say, “and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and they took them down off the trees” which means “and they, Joshua’s men, lowered and brought down the five kings from the trees”, “and cast them” or “and hurled or threw them, the five kings” “into the cave” which means “in the hole or den” “wherein they had been hid” or “in which they, the five kings, were concealed and stayed in secret”, “and laid great stones” which means “and put, placed, set and appointed large and massive rocks”, “in the cave’s mouth” or “within the orifice or opening belonging to the hole or den”, “which remain until this very day” which means “that continue to be in place till the current time period”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua’s men” lowered the “five kings” from the trees upon which they were hung, threw them into the den or “cave” in which they had been hiding and put large stones over the opening of the “cave”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” ordered his men to lower and remove the “five kings of the Amorites” from the trees upon which they were hung. These men threw the “king’s” bodies into the “cave” where they had been hiding and covered the opening to the “cave” with large stones. The final judgment on earth was completed for these “five kings”, and their doom was finished. God knows everyone will stand before Him in judgement - both Christians and Non-Christians. Christians will be judged for their works to be rewarded throughout eternity, (See 2 Corinthians 5:10) and non-Christians for their unbelief. (See John 3:19; Revelation 20:11-15) God’s desire is for everyone to believe and trust in Him through His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and make us aware that we can carry all our concerns about our adversaries to Him because He knows how to judge them. (See Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:17-19)
Next time we learn how, “that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword”, 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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