In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, “the LORD your God has given rest unto your brethren, as he promised them: therefore now return you, and get you unto your tents, and unto the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side Jordan”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse five of Joshua we learn how Joshua told the Reubenites, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh, “take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law” where we read,
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.
The verse reads, “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but take diligent heed” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover exceedingly care for, observe, have charge of and keep watch” “to do the commandment” or “to fashion, accomplish, make and produce the law, ordinance and precept” “and the law” which means “and the direction, instruction and body of prophetic teaching”, “which Moses” or “that Moses whose name means ‘drawn out’ and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus” “the servant of the LORD” which means “the slave, bondman and man of servile condition belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “charged you” or “ordered and commanded you, the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua instructed the “Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh” to carefully observe, obey and perform the instructions given by Jehovah God through “Moses”.
The verse goes on to say, “… to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “to love the LORD your God” which means “to desire and breathe after Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God, your, the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh’s, Supreme Deity”, “and to walk in all his ways” or “and depart, go forth and proceed within each, the whole and everyone of his, Jehovah God’s, manner, journey and direction”, “and to keep his commandments” which means “and to give heed to, observe and watch over his, Jehovah God’s, law, ordinance and precepts”, “and to cleave unto him” or “and to cling, stick, stay close and follow closely to him, Jehovah God”, “and to serve him with all your heart” which means “and to labor and work for him, Jehovah God, by the use of each, every and the whole of your, the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh’s, mind, will and understanding” “and with all your soul” or “and by the use of each, every and the whole of your, the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh’s, self, appetite, desire and inner being”. Joshua or the writer shared how Joshua instructed the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh to love God, walk in his ways, keep his commandments, cleave to him and labor for him with all their minds and souls.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the Reubenties, Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh were to keep Jehovah God as the priority and focus of their lives. They were to observe His law and obey the instructions of “Moses” by loving, keeping, cleaving to and serving Him. God wants to be first in our lives, and when we yield ourselves to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised 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 empower us to live according to that truth so He and His ways are our priority in everything we do. (See Matthew 6:33)
Next time we learn how, “Joshua blessed them, and sent them away”, 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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