Let Fire Come Out and Devour - Judges 9:20

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham said to the men of Shechem, “my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian. And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) If you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty of Judges, we learn how Jotham says, “if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem"  where we read,

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

The verse reads, “But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo;” The writer began with the words, “but if not” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whether and in case not”, “let fire come out from Abimelech” which means “allow and permit fiery fire to proceed and go forth from Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was son of Gideon by a concubine”, “and devour the men of Shechem” or “and consume, burn up and slay the male human beings belonging to Shechem whose name means ‘back or shoulder’ and was a 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) southeast of Samaria”, “and the house of Millo” which means “and the habitation, abode, dwelling place and family belonging to Millo whose name means ‘rampart or mound’ and was a place near Shechem”. The writer shared how “Jotham” told the “men of Shechem” that in case they were not being truthful and sincere by mistreating his father “Gideon” and choosing “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler, then he desired that fiery fire proceed from “Abimelech” and consume the male human beings from “Shechem” and the family of “Millo”. 

The verse goes on to say, “and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.” The writer continued with the words “and let fire come out” which means “and allow and permit fiery fire proceed and come forth” “from the men of Shechem” which means “separate and apart from the male human beings belonging to Shechem whose name means ‘back or shoulder”,  “and from the house of Millo” or “and separate and apart from the habitation, abode, dwelling place and family of Millo whose name means ‘rampart or mound’” “and devour Abimelech” which means “and consume and destroy Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine”. The writer shared how “Jotham” said to allow and permit fiery fire to proceed from the male offspring of “Shechem” and “Millo” to consume “Abimelech”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” put an ultimatum upon “Abimelech” and the “men of Shechem”. “Jotham” desired that in case the “men of Shechem” were not truthful and sincere with his father “Jerubbaal” or “Gideon”, then he desired that fiery fire proceed from “Abimelech” to consume the men of “Shechem” and for fiery fire to proceed from the men of “Shechem” to consume “Abimelech”. In other words, they would experience dire consequences for their choices. God knows everyone makes choices that are in opposition to Him and His ways. This is called sin which means to “miss the mark”, and those sins have the consequence of death. (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) For this reason God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will keep us in alignment with Him so we never need to be consumed by His Holy fire. (See Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29)

Next time we learn how, “Jotham ran away, and fled”, 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".

If You have Dealt Truly and Sincerely - Judges 9:19

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem a story about “trees” searching for a king, and after soliciting the olive and fig trees as well as the vine to rule over them, “then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands. (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian. And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)”, and in chapter nine and verse nineteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham shares what the men of Shechem are to do, “if you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day”  where we read,

If you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, 

then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:

The verse reads, “If you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, …” The writer began with the words, “if you have dealt truly” which means “whether and in case you, the people of Shechem, have performed and produced in a firm, faithful, reliable and sure manner” “and sincerely” which means “and a complete, whole, entire and sound way” “with Jerubbaal” whose name means ‘let Baal contend’ and was “the name given to Gideon by his father when he destroyed the altar of Baal” “and with his house” which means “and alongside his, Jerubbaal’s, habitation, abode, dwelling place and family” “this day” or “this particular sunrise to sunset or time period”. The writer shared how “Jotham” confronted the men of “Shechem” as to whether they performed in a reliable and sound manner with “Jerubbaal” or “Gideon” and his family at that particular time, then the following is to be done.

The verse continues, “… then rejoice you in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:” The writer added the words “then rejoice you” which means “at that time you, men of Shechem, exult, be merry and gleesome” “in Abimelech” which means “within Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine”,  “and let him also rejoice” or “and allow and permit him, Abimelech, even so and indeed exult, be merry and gleesome” “in you” which means “within you, the men of Shechem”. The writer shared how the men of “Shechem” ought to be merry and glad in “Abimelech” and “Abimelech” will be merry and glad with them. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” confronted the truth and “sincerity” of the men of “Shechem” toward his father “Jerrubbaal” or “Gideon” by choosing “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler. In case they were being truthful and sincere, then they were to be merry and glad with “Abimelech” and he was to be merry and glad with them. In other words, they were to be happy in the choices that both of them made. God will allow people to proceed in a path that is in opposition to what He knows is best for their lives. He knows all of our proclivities to sin, and because those sins lead to death, He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead after three days. In other words, He took our place in death, and when we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and help us to choose to follow Him and Him alone as the ruler and Lord of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Joshua 24:15)

Next time we learn how Jotham says, “if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem”, 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". 

You are Risen Against My Father’s House - Judges 9:18

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem a story about “trees” searching for a king, and after soliciting the olive and fig trees as well as the vine to rule over them, “then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands. (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian”, and in chapter nine and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham said, “you are risen up against my father's house this day”  where we read,

And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

The verse reads, “And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, …” The writer began with the words, “are you are risen up” which means “and you, the men of Shechem, have stood up, become powerful and been established” “against my father’s house this day” which means “in opposition to my, Jotham’s, immediate male progenitor’s, Gideon’s, habitation, abode, dwelling place and family this particular sunrise to sunset or time period”, “and have slain his sons” or “and have killed, murdered and destroyed his, Jotham’s father’s male offspring and progeny”, “threescore and ten persons” which means “seventy human beings”, “upon one stone” or “on a single rock”. The writer shared how “Jotham” continued his parenthetical sentence by speaking to the men of “Shechem” about their ascending in opposition to his father, Gideon, and his male offspring by killing all seventy of them on a single rock. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)” The writer continued with the words “and have made Abimelech” which means “and have consulted, chosen and caused Abimelech whose name means ‘"Melek is father or my father is king’”, “the son of his maidservant” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to his, Gideon’s, female slave or concubine”,  “king over the men of Shechem” or “royal ruler and leader higher and above the male human beings belonging 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) southeast of Samaria”, “because he is your brother” which means “since and on account that he, Abimelech, exists as your, the men of Shechem’s, male sibling or family member”). The writer shared how “Jotham” continue to refer to how the “men of Shechem” chose “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler who was the male offspring of his father “Gideon” through his concubine and only selected him on account that he was related to them. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” went to the source of his story and gave the background for them choosing “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler. “Jotham” knew the men of “Shechem” rose up against his father Gideon’s household and murdered his seventy sons afterward. The reason the men of “Shechem” chose “Abimelech” was because he was related to them, and this reason alone will come back to haunt them. The men of “Shechem” were wrong, and “Jotham” called them out for it. We shall see what happens in our next verses, but for now let us consider that Jehovah God was watching all these events. (See Luke 8:17) God knows we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (See Romans 3:23) and those sins lead to death. (See Romans 6:23) For this reason God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead after three days. When we yield 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 empower us to live according to that truth so when our errors and wrongs are revealed, we will repent and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness. (See 1 John 1:9)

Next time we learn how Jotham shares what the men of Shechem are to do, “if you then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day”, 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".

My Father Fought for You - Judges 9:17

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem a story about “trees” searching for a king, and after soliciting the olive and fig trees as well as the vine to rule over them, “then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands”, and in chapter nine and verse seventeen of Judges, we learn how Jotham said, “my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you”  where we read,

(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, 

and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:

The verse reads, “(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, …” The writer began with the words, “for my father” which means “because, since and on account that my, Jotham’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor” “fought for you” which means “went to battle and war on behalf of you, the men of Shechem”, “and adventured his life far” or “and cast, hurled and threw his, Gideon’s, soul, mind, emotion and passion straight forward and in sight of you”. The writer shared how “Jotham” parenthetically added how his immediate male progenitor, Gideon, went to battle and war on behalf of the men of “Shechem” and he hurled forth the passion and emotion of his soul and mind in the presence of them.

The verse continues, “… and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:” The writer added the words “and delivered you” which means “and freed, rescued and saved you, the men of Shechem” “out of the hand of Midian” which means “from the power, might and strength belonging to Midian or Midianite whose name means ‘strife’ and was the son of Abraham by Keturah and progenitor of the tribe of Midianites or Arabians“. The writer shared how “Jotham” referred to the way his “father” Gideon freed the men of Shechem from the power and might of “Median”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” parenthetically added that his immediate male progenitor “Gideon” went to war and battle on behalf of the men of Shechem and also endangered his living as he freed them from the oppression of “Midian”. God was with “Gideon”, and He gave him the victory over the Midianites, and the men of “Shechem” were benefitted by what He did. However, they chose to forget God and Gideon and chose “Abimelech” to be their king instead. This is similar to the way people do today. God alone sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone, and when He rose from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” 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 ability to live according to that truth so we never substitute Him for any other person or god as our King. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Samuel 8:7)

Next time we learn how Jotham says, “you are risen up against my father's house this day”, 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". 

If You Have Made Abimelech King - Judges 9:16

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem, “Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign you over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come you, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come you, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham said, “if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king”  where we read,

Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, 

and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

The verse reads, “Now therefore, if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king, …” The writer began with the words, “now therefore” which means “wherefore, then and on this account”, “if you have done truly and sincerely” which means “whether and in case you, the people of Shechem, have performed and produced in a firm, faithful, reliable and sure manner as well as complete, whole, entire and sound way”, “in that you have made Abimelech king” or “in that you, the men of Shechem, have set, put and established Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine as the royal ruler and leader”. The writer shared how “Jotham” told the men of “Shechem” to consider whether they produced in a reliable, sure and sound manner when they established “Abimelech” as their royal ruler. 

The verse goes on to say, “and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;” The writer continued with the words “and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal” which means “and whether and in case you, the people of Shechem, have made, fashioned and accomplished by Jerubbaal whose name means ‘let Baal contend’ and was the name given to Gideon by his father when he destroyed the altar of Baal” “and his house” which means “and his, Jerubbaal’s, habitation, abode, dwelling place and family”, “and have done unto him” or “and have performed and produces toward him, Jerubbaal” “according to the deserving of his hands” which means “in keeping with the recompense and benefit pertaining to his, Jerubbaal’s, power, might and strength”. The writer shared how “Jotham” also wondered whether the people of “Shechem” bargained and made an agreement with “Jerubbaal” and his family and in keeping with the benefit they enjoyed by the  power and might he demonstrated on behalf of them. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Jotham” challenged the men of “Shechem” with the idea that they sincerely chose “Abimelech” to be their royal ruler, and that they also treated “Jerubbaal’s” home and family in a good and pleasant manner and toward the way that he deserved. We know they did not, and we shall see what happens with “Jotham, Abimelech and the men of “Shechem” in our next verses, but for now, let us consider that Jehovah God knew all these people were involved, and He was working out His plan for them and the people of Israel. God knows us as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and filled with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to serve under His authority for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:!3; Acts 1:8; Matthew 4:10)

Next time we learn how Jotham says, “my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you”, 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".

Put Your Trust in My Shadow - Judges 9:15

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem, “Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign you over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come you, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come you, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us”, and in chapter nine and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham shares how the bramble said, “come and put your trust in my shadow”  where we read,

And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

The verse reads, “And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow:” The writer began with the words, “and the bramble” which means “and the buckthorn” “said unto the trees” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the timbers, stocks, planks and wood”, “if in truth you anoint me king over you” or “whether and in case according to that which is firm, faithful, reliable and sure you, the trees, consecrate and choose me, the bramble, as royal ruler and leader to be higher and above you, the trees”, “then come and put your trust” which means “enter, attain and be enumerated as you place establish and set your, the trees, refuge, confidence and hope” “in my shadow” or “within my, the bramble’s, shade or defense”. The writer shared how the “buckthorn” instructed the “trees” to be enumerated and have confidence within it’s shade “if” they truly desired that it be the royal ruler over them.

The verse goes on to say, “and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” The writer continued with the words “and if not” which means “and whether and in case the trees do not want the bramble to rule over them”, “let fire come out of the bramble” which means “allow and permit fiery fire to proceed from the buckthorn or thorn bush”, “and devour the cedars of Lebanon” or “and burn up, consume and destroy the cedar wood belonging to Lebanon whose name means ‘whiteness’ and was a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel”. The writer shared how the “bramble” said if the “trees” did not “anoint” it to be their royal ruler, then it desired that “fiery fire” proceed from the “bramble” and consume the “cedar wood trees” belonging to “Lebanon”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how having lower standards for the “bramble” to rule over the “trees” was already having an impact upon them. Rather than being helpful to the trees, the “bramble” gave an ultimatum and a consequence if they were not really wanting it to rule over them. We shall see how “Jotham” uses this story to relate to the people of “Shechem” choosing “Ahimelech” as their ruler in our next verse, but for now, let us keep in mind how people choose “rulers” in their lives that are of low quality and poor moral fiber. God does not want it to be this way because He desires to be the “King” of their lives, and He made this possible by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raising from the dead after three days. When we submit 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 and determination to keep Him and Him alone as the ruler in our lives. (See Matthew 4:10)

Next time we learn how Jotham says, “if you have done truly and sincerely, in that you have made Abimelech king”, 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".