In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goes up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions. In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites”, and in chapter twelve and verse nine of Joshua we discover how “Israel” conquered, “the king of Jericho” and “the king of Ai” where we read,
The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;
The verse reads, “The king of Jericho, one;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “the king of Jericho” which means “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Jericho whose name means ‘its moon’ and was a city five miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and seven miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan”, “one” or “a single royal ruler and leader”. Joshua or the writer referred to the single royal ruler belonging to “Jericho”.
The verse continues, “the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one;” Joshua or the writer added the words, “the king of Ai” which means “the royal ruler and leader of Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai whose name means ‘heap of ruins’ and was a city lying east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho and the second city taken on the invasion of Canaan”, “which is beside Bethel one” or “that existed next to and neighbor to Bethel whose name means ‘house of God’ and was the ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name) and also a single royal ruler”. Joshua or the writer included the royal ruler belonging to “Ai” which was next to “Bethel” as the territory which was to be divided up among the “tribes of Israel”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about two more of the royal rulers who were defeated by the armies of “Israel”. The “kings” from “Jericho and Ai” were conquered, and “Israel” would occupy their land. God gave this territory to the people of “Israel” because He told them they would inherit the “promise land”. God has promised us through His Son Jesus that we will be forgiven of our sins and granted everlasting life when we yield to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised from the dead after three days. God loves us, and He wants us to live with Him forever. All glory, honor and praise be unto Him for not only obtaining our salvation but also being willing to grant it to everyone who humbles themselves and receives His gift.
Next time we discover how “Israel” also captured, “the king of Jerusalem” and “the king of Hebron”, 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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