In the book of Joshua, we learned how Jehovah God said to the people of Israel, “I brought you into the land of the Amorites, which dwelt on the other side Jordan; and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hand, that you might possess their land; and I destroyed them from before you”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse nine of Joshua, Jehovah God shared how, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel”, where we read,
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel,
and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:
The verse reads, “Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and warred against Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “then Balak” which means “at that time Balak whose name means ‘devastator’ and was a king of Moab who hired Balaam to curse Israel” “the son of Zippor” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Zippor whose name means ‘sparrow’ and was father of Balak the king of Moab at the time of the exodus”, “king of Moab” which means “the royal ruler and leader belonging to Moab whose name means ‘of his father’ and was the nation descended from the son of Lot”, “arose and warred” or “stood, rose up and fought, did battle and waged war” “against Israel” which means “in opposition to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God referred to the way “Balak” who was the royal ruler of “Moab” rose up and battled in opposition to the people of Israel.
The verse goes on to say, “… and sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and sent and called” which means “and dispatched, assigned and cried out, summoned and appointed” “Balaam” whose name means ‘not of the people’ and was the son of Beor and a man endowed with thrift of prophecy” “the son of Beor” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Beor whose name means ‘burning’ and was the father of Balaam”, “to curse you” or “to slight, trifle, make despicable and insignificant you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God recalled how “Balaam” was dispatched to the people of Israel to make them insignificant and trifled.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to remember the past with the people of Israel when “Balak” attacked Israel and “Balaam” was called to curse them.(See Numbers 22:5-11) All these efforts by the enemies of Israel and Jehovah God failed, and because God loves the people of Israel, He protects and provides for them. God desires this type of personal relationship with everyone 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 equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and protect us when our hating foes and adversaries rise against us. (See Romans 8:37)
Next time Joshua shares how Jehovah God says, “I would not hearken unto Balaam”, 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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