In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “When you have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land which he has given unto you”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse one of the book of Joshua we learn how, “Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem”, where we read,
And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.
The verse reads, “And Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and called for the elders of Israel, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and was “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” “gathered all the tribes” or “collected together and assembled each, the whole and every one of the clans and people groups” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “to Shechem “whose name means ‘back or shoulder’ and was a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria”, “and called for the elders” which means “and summoned and beckoned the older and aged persons” “of Israel” or “belonging 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 referred to how “Joshua” assembled in “Shechem” every one of the clans belonging to “Israel” along with the aged and older men of Israel.
The verse continues, “… and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers; and they presented themselves before God.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and for their heads” or “and for their, the people of Israel’s, top, chiefs, captains and principal rulers”, “and for their judges” or “and for their, the people of Israel’s, governors who decide controversies and execute judgment”, “and for their officers” which means “and for their, the people of Israel’s, officers, magistrates and overseers”: “and they presented themselves before God” or “and they, the rulers of Israel, set, placed and stationed their own selves in front and in the presence of the Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” summoned the chiefs, governors, magistrates and overseers, and they set themselves in the presence of the Supreme Deity Jehovah God.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” assembled everyone within Israel, and he summoned the leadership and rulers to stationed themselves in the presence of Jehovah God. “Joshua” knew his life on earth was almost complete, and he wanted to speak to the leaders of the people of Israel one final time. His words will be important for Israel, and they serve as good advice in our lives as well. God loves us, and when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner that is pleasing to Him as we live and present ourselves before Him. (See John 3:16; Acts 17:28)
Next time Joshua says, “your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time”, 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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