The Word for Today with Ray

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Willingly Giving Earrings - Judges 8:25

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also: for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn how the people said, “we will willingly give them” where we read,

And they answered, We will willingly give them.

And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

The verse reads, “And they answered, We will willingly give them.” The writer began with the words, “and they answered” which means “and they, the people of Israel, responded and gave the reply”, “we will willingly give them” or “we, the people of Israel, shall voluntarily and freely grant and bestow upon them, the three hundred men who accompanied Gideon to battle with the Midianites, the golden nose and earrings of the Ishmaelites”. The writer shared how the people of Israel said they would freely provide the golden nose and earrings of the “Ishmaelites” to the three hundred men who fought the Midianites alongside “Gideon”.

The verse goes on to say, “And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.” The writer continued with the words, “and they spread a garment” which means “and they, the people of Israel, stretched out and displayed a wrapper, mantle or covering clothes”, “and did cast therein” which means “and hurled, flung and threw inside the garment” “every man the earrings” or “each, the whole and everyone of the male human being the golden nose and ear ornaments” “of his prey” which means “belonging to his, the people of Israel who plundered the Midianites’ spoil, booty and gain”. The writer shared how the people of Israel stretched out clothes and threw the nose and ear ornaments made with gold that they collected as plunder from the Midianites within them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of Israel were eagerly compliant with “Gideon’s” request for the golden nose and ear ornaments which were taken from the dead Midianites. This was a small price for their deliverance from their oppression. God desires to reward us in His Kingdom work when we surrender our lives to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of everyone 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us live in a manner of service to Him that will be rewarded when we go to be with Him some day. (See John 3:16; Revelation 22:12)

Next time we learn how, “the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold”, 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".

Desiring Earrings of His Prey - Judges 8:24

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also: for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-four of Judges, we learn how, Gideon said, “I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey” where we read,

And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

The verse reads, “And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey.” The writer began with the words, “and Gideon” whose name means “hewer” and was the “youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the people of Israel”, “I would desire a request of you” which means “I, Gideon, want to consult, enquire and ask a favor, demand or petition from you, the people of Israel”, “that you would give me” or “that you, the people of Israel, will put, set, grant and ascribe to me, Gideon” “every man the earrings of his prey” which means “each, the whole and all of the male human beings the nose and ear ornaments belonging to his, the men’s, booty, plunder, spoil and gain”. The writer shared how “Gideon” requested that the people of Israel grant that all the men who went to battle with him would receive the nose and ear ornaments from the men they killed.

The verse continues, “(For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)” The writer added the words, “for they had golden earrings” which means “because, since and on account that they, the men who were killed, owned and possessed nose and ear ornaments made with gold metal”, “because they were Ishmaelites” which means “since and on account that they, the men killed, existed as Ishmaelites whose name means ‘God will hear’ and were the descendants of the son of Abraham and Sarah's handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples”. The writer shared how the men who were killed by “Gideon’s” three hundred armed men were “Ishmaelites” who possessed ornament made with gold metal for their noses and ears.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” requested from the people of “Israel” that the “gold metal” nose and earrings belonging to the “Ishmaelites” would be given to the three hundred men who accompanied him in battle against the “Midianites”. God was with Gideon’s valiant men, and now a time of remuneration was at hand. “Gideon” appealed to the people of “Israel” for their reward, and in a similar manner there shall be a reward for all who yield to God’s Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He rose from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and lead us into a life of service in His Kingdom that shall reap rewards when we finally go to be with Him. (See John 3:16; Revelation 22:12)

Next time we learn how the people say, “we will willing give them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

I Will Not Rule Over You - Judges 8:23

In the book of Judges we learned how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also: for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you” where we read,

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you:

the LORD shall rule over you.

The verse reads, “And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you:” The writer began with the words, “and Gideon” whose name means “hewer” and was the “youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the people of Israel”, “I will not rule over you” which means “I, Gideon, shall in no way or manner have reign and dominion over you, the people of Israel”, “neither shall my son” or “no and not in any way will my, Gideon’s, male progeny and offspring” “rule over you” which means “have dominion and reign over you, the people of Israel”. The writer shared how “Gideon” told the people of Israel that neither he nor his male offspring would reign over them.

The verse goes on to say, “the LORD shall rule over you.” The writer continued with the words, “the LORD” which means “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “shall rule over you” which means “will have dominion and reign over you, the people of Israel”. The writer shared how “Gideon” told the people of “Israel” that Jehovah God would reign and have dominion over them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how “Gideon” refused to rule over “Israel”, and he would not allow his male offspring to rule over them either. “Gideon” told them that Jehovah God would be their ruler even as He should be. The same is true for us. God is to rule our lives, and because 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, when we submit our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to equip us to live under His leadership and rule for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; Ephesians 3:19)

Next time we learn how Gideon says, “I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gideon, Rule Over Us - Judges 8:22

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise you, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-two of Judges, we learn how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us” where we read,

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also: for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.

The verse reads, “Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also:” The writer began with the words, “then the men of Israel” which means “at that time the male human beings belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “said unto Gideon” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Gideon whose name means ‘hewer’ and was the youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites”, “rule you over us” which means “you, Gideon, have dominion and reign over us, the people of Israel”, “both you” or “both you, Gideon, ”, “and your son” which means “and your, Gideon’s, male offspring and progeny”, “and your son’s son also” or “and your, Gideon’s, grandson”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” wanted “Gideon”, his male offspring and his grandson to have reign and dominion over them.

The verse continues, “for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” The writer added the words, “for you have delivered us” which means “because, since and on account that you, Gideon, have rescued and saved us, the people of Israel” “from the hand of Midian” which means “separate and apart from the power, might and authority 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 the people of “Israel” told “Gideon” that he rescued and saved them from the power and might of “Midian”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” wanted “Gideon” and his male progeny to reign over them. They knew “Gideon” was responsible for their freedom from the “Midianites”, and they desired to have him as their ruler because of his accomplishments. We shall see how he answers them in the next few verses, but for now let us consider how meek and weak “Gideon” considered himself at the beginning of his calling by God (See Judges 6:15), and now he is so strong the people of Israel wanted him to rule over them. God recognized “Gideon” as a “mighty man of valor” (See Judges 6:12) even when he thought himself much less, and God sees us for our potential as well. When we receive God’s Son 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 equip us to be as conquerors like “Gideon” in His Kingdom and this world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Up and Slay Them - Judges 8:21

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-one of Judges, we learn how, “Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise you, and fall upon us” where we read,

Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise you, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength.

And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.

The verse reads, “Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise you, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength.” The writer began with the words, “Zebah and Zalmunna said” which means “Zebah whose name means “deprived of protection” and was one of the two kings of Midian who commanded the great invasion of Palestine and finally were defeated by Gideon and Zalmunna whose name means ‘deprived of protection’ and was a Midianite king slain by Gideon” “rise you” or “Gideon you be raised and stand up”, “and fall upon us” which means “and make intercession, entreat, strike and attack us, Zebah and Zalmunna”: “for as the man is” or “because, since and on account that even and indeed like the male human being exists”, “so is his strength” which means “similar and in likeness exists his, the man’s, power, might and authority”. The writer shared how “Zebah and Zalmunna” challenged “Gideon” to get up and kill them himself because they deemed a “man” to exist in likeness to his power and might.

The verse goes on to say, “And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels' necks.” The writer continued with the words, “and Gideon arose” which means “and Gideon whose name means ‘hewer’ and was youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites”, “and slew Zebah” which means “and struck, hit, beat and killed Zebah whose name means ‘deprived of protection’” “and Zalmunna” whose name means “deprived of protection and was “a Midianite king slain by Gideon”, “and took away the ornaments” which means “and fetched, lay hold of and seized the round pendants for the neck or round tire like the moon” “that were on their camels’ necks” or “that existed upon the physical necks of Zebah and Zalmunna’s beast of burden for riding which were animals known as camels ”. The writer shared how “Gideon” arose, killed “Zebah and Zalmunna” and seized the round pendants which were around their “camel’s”, physical necks.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Zebah and Zalmunna” challenged “Gideon” to kill them himself, and he obliged them after they said a “man” is known according to his power and might. He also took the jewelry that was upon their “camel’s” physical necks. In other words, “Gideon” completely destroyed these two kings and seized their loot. God gave him this victory, and He will do the same for us 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. When we yield to Him, 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 we too are victorious over our foes in this world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule you over us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Monday, October 12, 2026

Up and Slay Them - Judges 8:20

And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them.

But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.

The verse reads, “And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them.” The writer began with the words, “and he said” which means “and he, Gideon, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto Jether” or “to Jether whose name means ‘abundance’ and was the oldest son of Gideon”, “his firstborn” which means “his, Gideon’s, oldest child”, “up, and slay them” or “arise, stand up and kill, murder and destroy them, “Zebah and Zalmunna”. The writer shared how “Gideon” instructed his oldest son “Jether” to stand up and kill “Zebah and Zalmunna”.

The verse continues, “But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.” The writer added the words, “but the youth drew not his sword” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the lad, or youthful male did not take out or unsheathe his, Jether’s, sharpened implement for battle or war”: “for he feared” which means “because, since and on account that he, Jether, revered, was afraid and in dread”, “because he was yet a youth” or “since and on account that he, Jether, still existed as a lad or youthful male”. The writer shared how “Jether” would not unsheathe his sharpened weapon for battle on account that he was still a young person.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” wanted his oldest son to kill the two kings of Midian, “Zebah and Zalmunna”, however, “Jether” would not kill them since he was a young person. We shall see what “Gideon” does about this in our next verses, but for now let us consider what it must have been like for “Jether” to receive this directive. In a similar manner, when we submit to God’s Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, we obey His directive, and He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth so we have the ability to carry out whatever task He asks of us regardless of how young or old we are. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise you, and fall upon us”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…