The Word for Today with Ray: September 2026

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

The Entrance of the City - Judges 1:25

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Show us, we pray you, the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn, “when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword” where we read,

And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family.

The verse reads, “And when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword;” The writer began with the words, “and when he showed them the entrance” which means “and at the time and moment he, the man departing from the city of Bethel, made seen, visible and present the entryway” “into the city” or “to the dwelling place, abode and habitation of Bethel”, “they smote the city” or “they, the people of Joseph, struck, hit, beat and killed the dwelling place, habitation and abode” “with the edge of the sword” which means “by the sharpened implement of war such as an axe, mattock or knife”. The writer said the man leaving the city of Bethel shared the location of the entryway with the “spies of Bethel”, and the tribe of “Joseph” struck and killed the dwelling place with sharpened war weapons.

The verse goes on to say, “but they let go the man and all his family..” The writer continued with the words, “but they let go” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover they, released and set free” “the man and all his family” or “the male human being and each, every, the whole and everyone of his, the man who showed the entryway to Bethel’s, kinsmen, kindred and relatives”. The writer shared how the people of “Joseph” set free the man who showed them the entryway to the city of “Bethel” as well as his relatives.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the “man” who revealed the entryway of the city of “Bethel” to the “spies” of Joseph was saved along with his “family”. This “man” blessed the people of “Joseph”, and they blessed him by setting him free. God wants to bless us, and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord” who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will bless us with forgiveness of our sins, everlasting life and His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth so we receive His “mercy” because we simply believe. (See John 3:16; Hebrews 4:16)

Next time we learn how, “the man went into the land of the Hittites”, 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".

What the Spies Saw - Judges 1:24

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-four of Judges, we learn how, “the spies saw a man come forth out of the city”, where we read,

And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him,

Show us, we pray you, the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy.

The verse reads, “And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him,” The writer began with the words, “and the spies” which means “and the keepers, guards, observers and watchers” “saw a man come forth” or “observed a male human being exit, depart and go forward and proceed”, “and they said unto him” or “and they, the spies, uttered declared and proclaimed to him, the man that proceeded from the city”. The writer shared how the watchers from the tribe of Joseph observed a male human being proceeding from the city of Bethel, and the watchers said the following words to him.

The verse continues, “Show us, we pray you, the entrance into the city, and we will show you mercy.” The writer added the words, “Show us” which means “make seen, visible and present to us, the spies”, “we pray you” or “we, the spies, entreat and beseech you, the man departing from the city of Bethel”, “the entrance into the city” or “the sunset coming in entry to the dwelling place, habitation and abode of Bethel”, “and we will show show you mercy” which means “and we, the spies, shall fashion, accomplish and produce goodness, kindness and faithfulness to you, the man who proceeded from the city of Bethel”. The writer shared how the “spies” from the tribe of “Joseph” confronted the man coming out of the city of Bethel and told him to reveal where the entry point of the dwelling place was located, and they would extend goodness and kindness to him.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover what happened with the men who were dispatched as watchers and explorers from “Joseph” to “Bethel”. As they performed their duties, they discover a “man” proceeding from “Bethel”, and they asked him where the entry point of the city was located. They promised to extend goodness and kindness to him if he shared with them. God wants to extend mercy to us, and when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 as He demonstrates His mercy to us over an over again. (See John 3:16; Matthew 5:7; Hebrews 4:16)

Next time we learn, “when he showed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The House of Joseph Decrying Bethel - Judges 1:23

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-three of Judges, we learn how, “the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel” where we read,

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.)

The verse reads, “And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.” The writer began with the words, “and the house of Joseph” which means “and the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel and the male progenitor of the tribe of Joseph which was divided between Ephraim and Manasseh” “sent to descry Bethel” or “searched out, spied and explored to find out Bethel whose name means ‘house of God’ and was ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)”. The writer shared how the dwelling place belonging to “Joseph” dispatched spies to explore the city of “Bethel”.

The verse goes on to say, “(Now the name of the city before was Luz.)” The writer continued with the words, “(now the name of the city before” which means “the fame, reputation and glory belonging to the dwelling place, habitation and above prior to and in advance of this time” “was Luz” or “existed as Luz whose name means ‘almond tree’ and was the early name of Bethel and probably the name of the town in close proximity to the actual location of the altar and pillar of Jacob’”). The writer shared how “Bethel” was formally called “Luz”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about the territory the “tribe of Joseph” was to seize. They dispatched spies to explore the city of “Bethel” which was formally known as “Luz” before they attacked. This was a wise and prudent move on their part, and with Jehovah God going before them, they were assured of the victory. God desires to be in a personal intimate relationship with us as well, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the grave after three days as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we are equipped to conquer every territory that He desires to give us. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the spies saw a man come forth out of the city”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

The House of Joseph - Judges 1:22

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-two of Judges, we learn about, “the house of Joseph” where we read,

And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.

The verse reads, “And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel:” The writer began with the words, “and the house of Joseph” which means “and the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was the elder son of Jacob by Rachel and the male progenitor of the tribes of Joseph known as Ephraim and Manasseh”, “they also went up” or “they, the house of Joseph, even so and indeed arose and ascended” “against Bethel” which means “in opposition to Bethel whose name means ‘house of God’ and was an ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name)”. The writer shared how the dwelling of “Joseph” rose up in opposition to “Bethel”.

The verse continues, “and the LORD was with them.” The writer added the words, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was with them” or “existed alongside and accompanying them, the house of Joseph”. The writer shared how Jehovah God accompanied the “house of Joseph” as they rose up in battle in opposition to “Bethel”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the tribes of “Joseph” entered into battle with Jehovah God accompanying them in opposition to the city of “Bethel”. “Bethel” was another territory that was to be occupied by the people of Israel, and “Joseph” was to inherit this land. God wants to be involved in every area of our lives, and when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave 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 assure us of His presence every time we go into battle against the enemy. (See John 3:16; Colossians 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:5; Hebrews 6:11; 10:22)

Next time we learn how, “the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Not Driving Out the Jebusites - Judges 1:21

In the book of Judges we learned how the tribe of Judah, “gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled from there the three sons of Anak”, and in chapter one and verse twenty-one of Judges, we learn how “the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem” where we read,

And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem;

but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.

The verse reads, “And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem;” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Benjamin” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’ and was Jacob's and Rachel's youngest son, Joseph’s full brother and the male progenitor of the tribe of Benjamin” “did not drive out the Jebusites” or “in no way or manner seized, dispossessed, disinherited or occupied the Jebusites whose name means ‘threshing place’ and were the descendants of Jebus who was the third son of Canaan who lived in or around the site of Jebus which was the early name for Jerusalem”“that inhabited Jerusalem” which means “who dwelled, abode and lived within Jerusalem whose name means ‘teaching of peace’ and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split”. The writer shared how the offspring of “Benjamin” were unable to dispossess and expel the “Jebusites” who dwelled within “Jerusalem”.

The verse goes on to say, “but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.” The writer continued with the words, “but the Jebusites” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Jebusites whose name means ‘threshing place’” “dwell with the children of Benjamin” or “live and abide alongside the offspring and progeny belonging to Benjamin whose name means ‘son of the right hand’” “in Jerusalem” which means “within Jerusalem whose name means ‘teaching of peace’” “unto this day” or “to the current time period”. The writer shared how the “Jebusites” lived alongside of the offspring belonging to “Benjamin” to that very time period.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “tribe of Benjamin” was unable to dispossess the “Jebusites” from their territory, so the “Jebusites” lived with them within the city of “Jerusalem” to that current time period. These foes and adversaries of Israel were left intentionally by Jehovah God for the purpose of testing the resolve of the people of Israel to follow Him and not other gods. (See Judges 2:20-22: 3:1-2) God wants to be first in our lives, (See Matthew 6:33) 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 as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live in a manner that is equipped to conquer all foes and areas of sin in our lives. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Romans 6:18,22)

Next time we learn about, “the house of Joseph”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…