Hebron Given to Caleb - Judges 1:20

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the LORD was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron”, and in chapter one and verse twenty of Judges, we learn how “they gave Hebron unto Caleb” where we read,

And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled from there the three sons of Anak.

The verse reads, “And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said:” The writer began with the words, “and they gave Hebron” which means “and they, the people of Judah, granted, bestowed and assigned Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar” “unto Caleb” or “to Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture”“as Moses said” which means “even like Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus uttered, declared and proclaimed”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Judah” granted “Caleb” the city of “Hebron” even like “Moses” declared. (See Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36)

The verse continues, “and he expelled from there the three sons of Anak.” The writer added the words, “and he expelled from there” which means “and he, Caleb, dispossessed, disinherited and occupied separate and apart from there, Hebron” “the three sons of Anak” or “the three male offspring and progeny belonging to Anak whose name means ‘neck’ and was the progenitor of a family or tribe of the giant people in Canaan” The writer shared how “Caleb” dispossessed the “three” male offspring belonging to the giant “Anak” who lived in Hebron. (See Joshua 14:9-14; 15:13-14)

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Judah” and Israel granted “Hebron” to “Caleb” even like “Moses” instructed them to do, and when “Caleb” attacked “Hebron”, He dispossessed the “three male offspring” belonging to the giant “Anak”. When God is with us, not even giants are a problem for Him. Moses, because of “Caleb’s” faith and trust in God when He entered the promise land as a spy, promised him the area of “Hebron”. Regardless of there being giants there and obstacles that may have seemed too difficult, “Caleb” had victory over them. God wants to give us the same conquering power, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and resurrected Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth in victory over giants and obstacles that are no problem for God to conquer. (See John 3:16: 16:13: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem”, 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".

The LORD was with Judah - Judges 1:19

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof”, and in chapter one and verse nineteen of Judges, we learn how “the LORD was with Judah” where we read,

And the LORD was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountain; 

but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

The verse reads, “And the LORD was with Judah; and he drove out the inhabitants of the mountain;” The writer began with the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was with Judah” or “accompanied and existed alongside Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of tech tribe of Judah”:“and he drove out the inhabitants” which means “and he, Jehovah God, dispossessed, seized, disinherited and occupied the dwellers, abiders and people who lived” “of the mountain” or “within the rising above the plain or hill”. The writer shared how Jehovah God accompanied the tribe of “Judah”, and He dispossessed the people who dwelled within the rising above he plain.

The verse goes on to say, “but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.” The writer continued with the words, “but could not drive out” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Judah was unable to dispossess, seize, disinherit and occupy” “the inhabitants of the valley” or “the dwellers, abiders and people who lived within the lowland, vale and open country”, “because they had chariots of Iron” which means “since and on account that they, the inhabitants of the valley, possessed and owned war wagons made with iron ore.”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Judah” was unable to dispossess the people who lived in the lowlands on account that they possessed war wagons made with metal iron ore. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God was with the “tribe of Judah” as they seized and occupied locations within the risings above the plain, however, they were unable to conquer the region occupied by the people in the lowlands since they possessed war wagons made with iron ore. Of course not even “chariots” or war wagons of iron ore would be able to stop Jehovah God, but He limited the ability of “Judah” to seize their lands. God knows what areas we are to conquer and what areas are to be subject to future victories. We are to trust in Him, and because God loves us, when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through belief and trust in Him for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and enable us to live in a manner that conquers all foes and trusts Him for victories that are yet to be. (See John 3:!6: 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “they gave Hebron unto Caleb”, 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".

Judah Takes Gaza, Askelon and Ekron - Judges 1:18

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah”, and in chapter one and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn how “Judah took Gaza, Askelon and Ekron” where we read,

Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, 

and Ekron with the coast thereof.

The verse reads, “Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, …” The writer began with the words, “also Judah” which means “even so and indeed Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “took Gaza” or “possessed, seized and occupied Gaza or Azzah whose name means ‘the strong’ and was a city of the Philistines located in the extreme southwest of Palestine close to the Mediterranean” “with the coast thereof” which means “accompanied by the border, territory and region of Gaza”, “and Askelon” or Ashkelon whose name means ‘the fire of infamy or I shall be weighed’ and was a maritime city of the Philistines which was located southwest of Jerusalem” “with the coast thereof” or “accompanied by the border, territory and region of Askelon”. The writer shared how the people of “Judah” seized “Gaza and Askelon” accompanied by their borders and regions. 

The verse continues, “… and Ekron with the coast thereof.” The writer added the words, “and Ekron” which means “emigration or torn up by the roots” “with the coasts thereof” or “accompanied by the border, territory and region of Ekron”. The writer shared how the tribe of “Judah” also occupied “Ekron” and it’s borders. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about three more locations and the their boundaries that were seized by the tribe of “Judah” in the promise land. “Gaza, Askelon and Ekron” along with their boundaries became places where the people of “Judah” would live and worship Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and “Judah” was one of the tribes that received His promised land. God loves us as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the strength to live in a conquering manner over all He desires to give us. (See John 3:16; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD was with Judah”, 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".

Judah Goes to Battle with Simeon - Judges 1:17

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people”, and in chapter one and verse seventeen of Judges, we learn how “Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites” where we read,

And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah.

The verse reads, “And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it.” The writer began with the words, “and Judah” whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Judah” “went with Simeon his brother” or “proceeded alongside and accompanied Simeon or Shimeon whose name means ‘heard’ and was the second son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of the tribe of Simeon, his, Judah’s, male sibling”, “and they slew the Canaanites” which means “and they, Judah and Simeon, hit, beat, struck and killed the Canaanites whose name means ‘lowland or zealous’ and was the fourth son of Ham and the progenitor of the Phoenicians and of the various nations who peopled the seacoast of Palestine” “that inhabited Zephath” or “who dwelt, abided and lived within Zepahth whose name means ‘watch tower’ and was a Canaanite city in Simeon renamed Hormah by the Israelites”, “and utterly destroyed it” or “and completely and totally exterminated, mutilated and cursed it, Zephath”. The writer shared how “Judah” alongside his male sibling “Simeon” attacked and conquered “Zephath”.

The verse goes on to say, “And the name of the city was called Hormah.” The writer continued with the words, “and the name of the city” which means “and the fame, reputation and glory belonging to the dwelling place, habitation and abode” “was called Hormah” or “was known as Hormah whose name means ‘devotion’ and was a town of the Canaanites, conquered by Joshua, allotted to Judah, and located in the south of Judah”. The writer shared how “Zephath” was also known as “Hormah”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Judah and Simeon” attacked another city of the Canaanites, “Zephath”, which was known by “Hormah”. God gave these locations to the people of Judah, and they were to use them to raised their families in the worship and service of Jehovah God. God wants all of us to be in a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so our ways are pleasing to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “Judah took Gaza, Askelon and Ekron”, 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".

The Children of the Kenite - Judges 1:16

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you? And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for you have given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs”, and in chapter one and verse sixteen of Judges, we learn about, “the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law” where we read,

And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lies in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

The verse reads, “And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, …” The writer began with the words, “and the children” which means “and the offspring and progeny” “of the Kenite” or “belonging to the Kenite whose name means ‘smiths’ and was the tribe from which the father-in-law of Moses was a member and which lived in the area between southern Palestine and the mountains of Sinai”, “Moses’ father in law” which means “Moses’ whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “went up out of the city of palm trees” or “arose and ascended from the dwelling place, habitation and abode pertaining to date palm trees” “with the children of Judah” or “alongside and accompanied by the offspring and progeny belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the fourth son of Jacob by Leah and the male progenitor of Judah” “into the wilderness of Judah” which means “in the open plain and desert place belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to the “Kenite” who was “Moses’” “father in law” ascended from the dwelling place with date “palm trees” into the open desert place alongside of the offspring belonging to “Judah”. 

The verse continues, “… which lies in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.” The writer added the words, “which lies in the south of Arad” which means “that is the area within the southern direction pertaining to Arad whose name means ‘a wild ass’ and was a royal city of the Canaanites north of the wilderness of Judah ”: “and they went” or “and they, the children of Kenite and Judah, proceeded forward” “and dwelt among the people” which means “and lived, abided and inhabited in the midst and middle of the human beings located there”. The writer shared how “the wilderness” located within the southern area “of Arad” is where the offspring of the “Kenite and Judah” abided in the midst of the “people” there. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we learn about more of the “tribe of Judah” who were occupying the land of the Canaanites. The offspring of the “Kenite and Judah” left the territory of “date palms” and pursued the southern area of “Arad” to live in the midst of the inhabitants there. One by one God was supplying the promise land to the people of Israel, and the Kenite offspring and Judah were seizing their inheritance one portion at a time. God loves to provide for His people, (See Philippians 4:19) and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us to receive all that He desires give us in this life and the next. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites”, 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".

Give Me a Blessing - Judges 1:15

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?”, and in chapter one and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how “Achsah” answered, “give me a blessing” where we read,

And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for you have given me a south land; 

give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

The verse reads, “And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for you have given me a south land;” The writer began with the words, “and she said unto him” which means “and she, Achsah, uttered, declared, proclaimed and responded to him, Caleb”, “give me a blessing” or “grant, bestow and assign to me, Achsah, a gift, prosperity and a present”; “for you have given me” which means “because, since and on account that you, Caleb, have granted, bestowed and assigned to me, Achsah” “a south land” or “a region of souther Judah in the Nekeb”. The writer shared how “Achsah” responded to her father “Caleb’s” question by asking him to provide a gift to her because he had given her a region to her in southern Judah. 

The verse goes on to say, “give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.” The writer continued with the words, “give me also” which means “grant, bestow and assign to me, Achsah, even so and indeed”; “springs of water” or “bowls, basins and pommels with water”. “And Caleb” whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture,” “the upper springs” which means “the flowing waters in the higher area” “and the nether springs” or “and the lower flowing waters”. The writer shared how “Achsah” desired basins of flowing waters, and her father “Caleb” provided flowing waters both in the higher and lower regions. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Caleb’s daughter” “Achsah” not only desired cultivated lands, but also wanted flowing waters to care for her family and fields. We see how “Caleb” complied, and this serves as a good example of how Jehovah God cares for us. God gave us His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead so when we yield our lives to 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 to help us acquire all He desires to give us in this world and in Heaven. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn about, “the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law”, 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".

Achsah Asks for a Field - Judges 1:14

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Caleb said, He that smites Kirjathsepher, and takes it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife”, and in chapter one and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how “Achsah” asked, “for a field” where we read,

And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: 

and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field:” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred”, “when she came to him” or “at the time and moment she, Ashsah, approached and entered to where Othneil was located”, “that she moved him” which means “that she, Achsah, allured and enticed him” “to ask of her father” or “to inquire of and request of her, Achsah’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor” “a field” which means “cultivated land, ground and soil”. The writer shared how it occurred that “Achsah” approach her husband “Othniel” and desired that he would appeal to her “father” for a cultivated piece of land.

The verse continues, “and she lighted from off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What will you?” The writer added the words, “and she lighted from off her ass” which means “and she, Achsah, descended and went down to the ground from her, Achsah’s, donkey”; “and Caleb said unto her” or “and Caleb whose name means ‘dog’ and was the godly son of Jephunneh and the faithful spy who reported the Promised Land favorably and urged its capture, uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked her, Achsah”, “what will you” which means “what is it that you, Achsah,  desire”? The writer shared how “Achsah” descended to the ground from her donkey, and “Caleb” asked her what she desired.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Achsah” who was “Caleb’s” daughter and “Othniel’s” wife wanted “Othniel” to appeal to her “father” for a cultivated piece of land. There was a process for this request, and out of regard and respect, “Achsah” followed the manner of that day. We shall see how “Caleb” responds in our next verse, but for now let us understand that Jehovah God has a process by which we can be saved from our sins and given everlasting life with Him. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and He raised Him from the dead after three days so when we surrender to 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 give us the ability to lives according to that truth in keeping with His desire to bless us in all our ways. (See John 3:16; 14:6; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how “Achsah” says, “give me a blessing”, 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".