In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “Be you therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them, But cleave unto the LORD your God, as you have done unto this day”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse nine of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong”, where we read,
For the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong:
but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day.
The verse reads, “For the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “for the LORD” which means “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has driven out from before you” or “has seized, dispossessed disinherited and occupied in front and in the presence of you, the people of Israel” “great nations” which means “large, intense, important and distinguished people groups” “and strong” or “and mighty, numerous and powerful”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel that Jehovah God dispossessed the mighty and powerful foreign nations in their presence.
The verse goes on to say, “but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “but as for you” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover in reference to you, the people of Israel”, “no man has been able to stand before you” or “not one person has remained, endured and continued to abide in front and in the presence of you, the people of Israel” “unto this day” which means “to the current time period or sunrise to sunset”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” reminded the people of Israel that not one person had the ability to continue and remain in their presence to the current time period.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” reminded the people of Israel that Jehovah God dispossessed powerful and mighty people groups in their presence, and not one person had the capability to remain in front of them. God loves and protects the people of Israel, and He loves and protects us as well. 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 belief 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 give us the assurance that He will defeat all foes who rise up against us and our witness for Him. (See John 3:16; Isaiah 54:15-17)
Next time Joshua says, “One man of you shall chase a thousand”, 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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