In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass a long time after that the LORD had given rest unto Israel from all their enemies round about, that Joshua waxed old and stricken in age”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse two of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua called for all Israel”, where we read,
And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:
The verse reads, “And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” and was the "son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan” “called for all Israel” or “uttered a loud cry, invited and summoned each, the whole and everyone within Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and for their elders” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, older and aged men”, “and for their heads” or “and for their, the people of Israel’s, chiefs, chieftains, rulers and leaders”, “and for their judges” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, governors who execute judgment”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” summoned everyone within “Israel” including their “elders, heads and judges”.
The verse continues, “… and for their officers, and said unto them, I am old and stricken in age:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and for their officers” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, overseers, superintendents and magistrates”, “and said unto them” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, all the people and rulers of Israel”, “I am old” which means “I, Joshua, exist as aged and become decrepit” “and stricken in age” which means “and have entered into the fulfillment of life”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” also summoned the overseers and superintendents of Israel and told them that he was aged and had entered into the fulfillment of life.
When we meditate upon words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” summoned the people of “Israel” and their leaders, and he told them he was aged and had entered into the completion period of his life. We shall see more of what he tells them in our next verses, but for now let us realize how “Joshua” understood his position in life. God was with “Joshua” and had led him for many years, now at the close of his life, we shall see how he continued to be faithful to God and His work. God loves people, and when He sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised 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 equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to continue in our faith in Him for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 1 Peter 4:19)
Next time Joshua says, “you have seen all that the LORD your God has done”, 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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