The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Vexed and Oppressed - Judges 10:8

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon”, and in chapter ten and verse eight of Judges, we learn how the Philistines and the children of Ammon, “vexed and oppressed the children of Israel” where we read,

And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.

The verse reads, “And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel:” The writer began with the words, “and that year” which means “and that particular annual set of days” “they vexed and oppressed” which means ”they, the Philistines and Ammonites, harassed, dashed in pieces, shattered, broke, crushed and discouraged” “the children of Israel” or “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”. The writer shared how the “Philistines and Ammonites” harassed and discouraged the offspring of “Israel” for the following length of time.

The verse continues, “… eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.” The writer added the words, “eighteen years” which means “eighteen annual sets of days”, “all the children of Israel” or “each, the whole and everyone of 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” “that were on the other side Jordan” which means “who were located upon the opposite bank of the Jordan whose name means ‘descender’ and was the river of Palestine running from the roots of Anti-Lebanon to the Dead Sea a distance of approximately 200 miles (320 km)” “in the land of the Amorites” or “within the territory, region and district belonging to the Amorites whose nam means ‘a sayer’ and was one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt”, “which is in Gilead” which means “that exists within Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead”. The writer shared how the “Philistines and the Ammonites” harassed and discouraged the people of “Israel’ who were located on the opposite bank of the “Jordan River” within the territory of the “Ammonites” in “Gilead” for the length of “eighteen” annual sets of days”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “eighteen years” was the length of time that the people of “Israel” suffered harassment and discouragement from the “Philistines and Ammonites” especially those who were located on the opposite side of the Jordan River. This is not the way God wanted it to be for “Israel”, however, they “forsook” Him for other gods, and they reaped what they sowed. (See Galatians 6:7) God knows we have sinned against Him and His laws, and still He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him without a need to suffer discouragement and harassment from our enemies and foes. (See John 3:16: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight”, 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”.

The Hot Anger of the LORD - Judges 10:7

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him”, and in chapter ten and verse seven of Judges, we learn how, “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel,” where we read,

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

The verse reads, “And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, …” The writer began with the words, “and the anger of the LORD” which means “and the fierce wrath that wrinkles the nostrils, nose and face belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “was hot against Israel” which means ”existed as furious, kindled and incensed in opposition to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”, “and he sold them” or “and he, Jehovah God, delivered unto slavery them, the people of Israel” “into the hands of the Philistines” which means “under the power, might and authority belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were the inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan”. The writer shared how Jehovah God was filled with fiery wrath in opposition to “Israel”, and He delivered them over to the power and might of the “Philistines”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and into the hands of the children of Ammon.” The writer continued with the words, “and into the hands” which means “and unto the power, might and authority” “of the children of Ammon” or “belonging to the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means ‘tribal’ and were a people dwelling in Transjordan descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”. The writer shared how Jehovah God also delivered the people over to the power and might of the “Ammonites”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn that Jehovah God was filled with wrath when the people of “Israel” abandoned Him again, and He once again delivered them over to the power and might of foreign pagan nations. The “Philistines and Ammonites” were enemies of “Israel”, and because Israel departed from Him, He conveyed them over to their foes. God did desire that it be this way with Israel, and He does not want us to suffer in this manner either. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days so all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide them into all truth and help them to never “forsake” the LORD or have need to be delivered over to their enemies. (See John 3:26; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Proverbs 18:10)

Next time we learn how the Philistines and the children of Ammon, “vexed and oppressed the children of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Did Evil in the Sight of the LORD Again - Judges 10:6

In the book of Judges we learned, “after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead. And Jair died, and was buried in Camon”, and in chapter ten and verse six of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD” where we read,

And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, …” The writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and 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” “did evil again” which means “fashioned, accomplished, produced and performed bad, malignancy, disagreeableness and wickedness another time” “in the sight of the LORD” or “in front and in the presence of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” performed and produced wickedness yet another time in the presence of Jehovah God.

The verse continues, “… and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, …” The writer added the words, “and served Baalim” which means “and labored, worked and worshiped Baalim whose name means ‘lord’ and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites”, “and Ashtaroth” or Astaroth whose name means “star” and was “false goddesses in the Canaanite religion, usually related to a fertility cult”, “and the gods of Syria” which means “and the deities belonging to Syria or Aram or Arameans whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the Syrian nation”, “and the gods of Zidon” or “and the deities belonging to Zidon whose name means ‘hunting’ and was the ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast north of Tyre”, “and the gods of Moab” which means “and the deities belonging to Moab whose name means ‘of his father’ and was the nation that descended from the son of Lot”, “and the gods of the children of Ammon” or “and to the deities pertaining to the offspring and progeny belonging to Ammon whose name means ‘tribal’ and was a people dwelling in Transjordan who descended from Lot through Ben-ammi”, “and the gods of the Philistines” which means “and the deities belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were the inhabitants of Philistia and the descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) To the western seacoast of Canaan ”. The writer shared how the people of Israel began again to worship and serve “Baalim, Ashtaroth, and the deities of Syria, Zidon, Moab, Ammon and the Philistines”.

Finally the verse says, “… and forsook the LORD, and served not him.” The writer concluded this verse with the words, “and forsook the LORD” or “and left behind, alone, neglected and deserted Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and served not him” which means “and did not labor, work or worship Him, Jehovah God”. The writer shared how “Israel” once again abandoned their relationship with Jehovah God.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we may be amazed that after being delivered and rescued from oppressors again, the people of “Israel” turned away from Jehovah God. God loves the people of Israel, and He is so patient with them. We shall see the results of their abandonment in our next verses, but for now, let us remember that Jehovah God is patient and loving toward us as well. When He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone and raised Him from the grave 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 help us to understand this merciful God has been and will be gracious to us when we submit to Him. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Next time we learn how “the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jair Died - Judges 10:5

In the book of Judges we learned, “after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years. And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead”, and in chapter ten and verse five of Judges, we learn how, “Jair died, and was buried in Camon” where we read,

And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.

The verse reads, “And Jair died, …” The writer began with the words, “and Jair” whose name means “he enlightens” and was “the Gileadite, a judge of Israel for 22 years during the time of the judges; father of thirty sons” “died” which means ”expired, became lifeless and breathed his last”. The writer shared how “Jair” expired and breathed his last breath.

The verse goes on to say, “… and was buried in Camon.” The writer continued with the words, “and was buried” which means “and was entombed” “in Caman” or “within Camon whose name means ‘raised’ and was the place in Gilead where the judge Jair was buried”. The writer shared how “Jair” was entombed within “Camon”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Jail” breathed his last breath and was entombed within “Camon”. “Jail’s” time of service in God’s Kingdom was over, and the next step for him was to expire. However, God is an eternal God, and He desires that everyone who yields their life to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three day will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to live in keeping with His will on earth until the day we expire and go to live with Him in Heaven forever. (See 2 Corinthians 5:8)

Next time we learn how “the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Thirty, Thirty, Thirty - Judges 10:4

In the book of Judges we learned, “after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir. And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years”, and in chapter ten and verse four of Judges, we learn how Jair, “had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities” where we read,

And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities,

which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.

The verse reads, “And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, …” The writer began with the words, “and he had thirty sons” which means “and he, Jair, possessed thirty male offspring and progeny” “that rode on thirty ass colts” which means ”who sat and mounted to ride upon thirty male donkeys”, “and they had thirty cities” or “and they, the thirty sons of Jair possessed thirty dwelling places, abodes, habitations and towns”. The writer shared how “Jair” had “thirty” male offspring who mounted to ride upon “thirty” male donkeys and possessed “thirty” dwelling places.

The verse continues, “… which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.” The writer added the words, “which are called Havothjair” which means “who are named and known as Havothjair whose name means ‘villages of Jair’ and were certain villages on the east of Jordan, in Gilead or Bashan, which were taken by Jair, the son of Manasseh, and called after his name; 60 or 23 or 30 cities in total” “unto this day” or “to the current sunrise to sunset or time period”, “which are in the land of Gilead” which means “that exist within the territory and region belonging to Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a mountainous region bounded on the west by the Jordan, on the north by Bashan, on the east by the Arabian plateau, and on the south by Moab and Ammon; sometimes called 'Mount Gilead' or the 'land of Gilead' or just 'Gilead'. Divided into north and south Gilead”. The writer shared how the “thirty” towns possessed by the “thirty sons of Jair” were known as “Havothjair” to the present “day” and were within the territory of “Gilead”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how ”Jair” not only had “thirty” male offspring, but they also mounted upon “thirty” male donkeys and owned “thirty” villages that were known by the name of “Havorthjair” which was located within the region of “Gilead”. Needless to say, this was a wealthy family. God blessed the family of “Jair”, and as he was employed by Jehovah God to govern over “Israel”, his family benefitted from it. Jesus said, “seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (See Matthew 6:33), and when we surrender our lives to Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of everyone and was raised from the dead after three days as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to make His Kingdom first while He tends to all our other needs. (See Philippians 4:19)

Next time we learn how “Jair died, and was buried in Camon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jair - Judges 10:3

In the book of Judges we learned, “after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir”, and in chapter ten and verse three of Judges, we learn, “after him arose Jair, a Gileadite” where we read,

And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.

The verse reads, “And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite,…” The writer began with the words, “and after him” which means “and following him, Tola” “arose Jair” which means ”ascended and came on the scene Jair whose name means ‘he enlightens’ and was a judge of Israel for 22 years during the time of the judges; father of 30 sons”, “a Gileadite” or “one from Gilead whose name means ‘rocky region’ and was a branch of the tribe of Manasseh”. The writer shared how the next “judge of Israel” was “Jair” who was from “Gilead”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and judged Israel twenty and two years.” The writer added the words, “and judged Israel” which means “and governed, vindicated and ruled over Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “twenty and two years” or “twenty-two annual sets of days”. The writer shared how “Jair” ruled over “Israel” for the length of “twenty-two years”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn about another man Jehovah God chose to be the ruler over the people of Israel. For “twenty-two years” “Jair” who was from “Gilead” oversaw “Israel”, and we shall see what happens to him in our next verse. For now, let us consider that Jehovah God employed person after person to serve in His Kingdom, and today is much the same. When we yield our lives 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 empower us to live according to that truth in service in His Kingdom for whatever length of time He assigns. (See Mark 10:44; John 3:16)

Next time we learn how Jair, “had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Tola Judged Twenty-Three Years - Judges 10:2

In the book of Judges we learned, “after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim”, and in chapter ten and verse two of Judges, we learn how Tola, “judged Israel twenty and three years, and died” where we read,

And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.

The verse reads, “And he judged Israel twenty and three years, …” The writer began with the words, “and he judged Israel” whose name means “and he, Tola, governed and ruled over Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “twenty and three years” which means ”for the length of twenty-three annual sets of days”. The writer shared how “Tola” ruled over the people of “Israel” for the length of “twenty-three years”.

The verse continues, “… and died, and was buried in Shamir.” The writer added the words, “and died” which means “and became inanimate, lifeless, expired and without breath” “and was buried” or “and was entombed” “in Shamir” which means “within Shamir whose name means ‘a point or thorn’ and was a town in Ephraim where the judge Tola lived and was buried”. The writer shared how “Tola” became inanimate and without breath and was entombed within the city of “Shamir”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn about the span of time that “Tola” served as the ruler over “Israel”. For “twenty-three years” “Tola” oversaw the people of “Israel”, and after his time, he “died”. He was entombed within his own city “Shamir”, and God’s time for him to live and serve was over. God knows the time on earth for all our lives, and His desire is that we live in Heaven with Him forever. (See Psalm 90:12; 139:16) When we receive 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and assign us to our tasks within His Kingdom until our lives on earth are over and we go to be with Him. (See 2 Corinthians 5:8)

Next time we learn, “after him arose Jair, a Gileadite”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…