That the Generation Might Know - Judges 3:2

In the book of Judges we learned, “these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan”, and in chapter three and verse two of Judges, we learn that this was done so, “the generations of the children of Israel might know” where we read,

Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, 

at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;

The verse reads, “Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, …” The writer began with the words, “only that the generations” which means “solely and alone that the ages” “of the children of Israel” or “pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “might know” which means “may perceive, understand and discern”, “to teach them war” or “to instruct, train and exercise them, the generations of the children of Israel, in battle and fighting”. The writer shared how Jehovah God intended to use the pagan nations to instruct and train the ages pertaining to the offspring belonging to “Israel” concerning battle and fighting. 

The verse continues, “… at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;” The writer added the words, “at the least” which means “except and save” “such as before” or “who previously” “knew nothing thereof” which means “perceived, understood and discerned not one thing about war”. The writer shared how the opportunity would be afforded to those who were unaware and without discernment of battle and war to be instructed within it. 

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we see how the ages of the offspring of “Israel” who were uninformed concerning battle and “war” would now have the opportunity to learn about it. Though they were inexperienced, they would be useful after they were trained. God wants all of us to know there is a spiritual battle that rages over our lives, (See Ephesians 6:12) and because God desires to live eternally with us, 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. When we surrender to Him 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 give us the ability to “fight and battle” against the spiritual foes who seek to destroy our souls and separate us from Him. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 6:13-18)

Next time we learn about, “the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites”, 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".