The Word for Today with Ray

Sunday, October 25, 2026

Abimelech to Thebez - Judges 9:50

In the book of Judges we learned how, “it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women”, and in chapter nine and verse fifty of Judges, we learn, “then went Abimelech to Thebez”, where we read,

Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

The verse reads, “Then went Abimelech to Thebez, …” The writer began with the words, “then went Abimelech” whose name means “at that time left, departed and proceeded forth Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine” “to Thebez” which means ”to the city of Thebez whose name means ‘conspicuous’ and was “a town near Shechem”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” next departed to the town of “Thebez”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and encamped against Thebez, and took it.” The writer continued with the words, “and encamped” which means “and set up, inclined, bent down and pitched tents battle and war tents and tabernacles” “against Thebez” or “in opposition to Thebez whose name means ‘conspicuous’”, “and took it” which means “and captured, grasped and seized it, the city of Thebez”. The writer shared how the men of “Ahimelecch” set up war tents in opposition to “Thebez” and overtook and seized the city.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Abimelech” had other battles he desired to fight and other locations he desired to conquer. “Thebez” was the next “city” he would destroy, and once again he prepared in advance for the battle by setting up war tents and tabernacles in opposition to “Thebez”. He fought the people of the city and won again, and we shall see how he continued to conquer them in our next verse. God was working behind the scenes and oversaw all these things, and “Abimelech” was used by God even though he may have been unaware of it. God loves people, and He will employ all of us in His Kingdom work when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. (See Matthew 6:33) 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 guide us into all truth and help us trust Him for victory even when we cannot see what He is doing. (See John 3:16; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn, “there was a strong tower within the city”, 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".

All the People Cutting Down Boughs - Judges 9:49

In the book of Judges we learned how, “it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-nine of Judges, we learn how, “all the people likewise cut down every man his bough”, where we read,

And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

The verse reads, “And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, …” The writer began with the words, “and all the people” whose name means “and each, the whole and everyone of the human beings” “likewise cut down every man his bough” which means ”similar and in like manner severed each, the whole and everyone of the male human beings his, their, branch”, “and followed Abimelech” or “and walked, departed and proceeded after Abimelech whose name mean ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine. The writer shared how “Abimelech’s” men followed his example and severed branches and pursued him.

The verse continues, “and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.” The writer added the words, “and put them to the hold” which means “and set, placed and appointed them, the branches, toward the underground chamber, cellar and room”, “and set the hold on fire” or “and put, placed and kindled the underground chamber on fiery fire” “upon them” which means “on the men of Shechem”; “so that all the men” or “which caused each, the whole one everyone of the male human beings” “of the tower of Shechem” which means “pertaining to the elevated stage or pulpit” “died also” or “were killed, executed and made lifeless even so and indeed”, “about a thousand men and women” which means “around one thousand male and female human beings”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” instructed the men who were with him to put their branches on the underground chamber, and they kindled a fiery fire upon the structure which caused the people who took refuge there to die. There were around one thousand people of “Shechem”, both male and female, who were murdered in that location.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech’s” men followed his example and severed branches to carry with them as they followed him. They took the branches to the underground chamber of the “house of the god Berith” and set the chamber on fire with the people hiding inside. Around one thousand men and women of “Shechem” died from the fire, and “Abimelech” used this to conquer them. God knew and observed all these things, and because He was purposed to deliver the people of Israel from oppression, He was working behind the scenes of these events. God was also determined to offer salvation from sin and death through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “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 according to that truth so we trust Him even when we cannot see Him working. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Daniel 2:22)

Next time we learn, “then went Abimelech to Thebez”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Abimelech Goes Up to Zalmon - Judges 9:48

In the book of Judges we learned how, “it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-eight of Judges, we learn what happened, “Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon”, where we read,

And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.

The verse reads, “And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him;” The writer began with the words, “and Abimelech” whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine” “got him up” which means ”climbed and ascended” “to mount Zalmon” or “to the hill or rising above the plain known as Zalmon whose name means ‘shady’ and was a wooded hill in Samaria near Shechem”, “he and all the people” which means “he, Abimelech, and each, the whole and everyone of the human beings” “that were with him” or “who were alongside and accompanied him, Abimelech”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” and the “men” who accompanied him climbed the rising above the plain known as “Zalmon”.

The verse goes on to say, “… and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, …” The writer continued with the words, “and Abimelech” whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine” “took an axe in his hand” or “fetched, seized and lay hold of a sharpened ax within his physical hand”, “and cut down a bough” which means “and severed a branch” “from the trees” or “separate and apart from the timbers, stocks, planks and stalks”, “and took it” which means “and lifted, bore up and carried it, the branch”, “and laid it on his shoulder” or “and placed, set and established it, the branch, upon his, Abimelech’s, shoulder-blade or back”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” lay hold of an ax and severed a branch from the “trees”, bore it up and placed it upon the shoulder-blade and back of his body.

Finally the verse reads, “… and said unto the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.” The writer concluded this verse with the words, “and said unto the people” which means “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the human beings” “that were with him” or “who were alongside and accompanied him, Abimelech”, “what you have seen me do” which means “that which you, the men of Abimelech, have observed and watched me, Abimelech, make, fashion and produce”, “make haste” or “be quick and hurry” “and do as I have done” which means “and make, fashion and produce in a similar and like manner and I, Abimelech have made, shined and produced”. The writer concluded this verse by sharing how “Abimelech” told the men who accompanied him to hurriedly fashion and produce a branch in a similar manner and him.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech” began to prepare himself and his men for battle once again. This time he climbed to the mountain named “Zalmon”, lay hold of a sharpened ax, cut off a branch, put it upon his back and shoulder and instructed his man to follow his example. His preparation for war would be employed by Jehovah God as He worked out His purpose and plan for the deliverance of the people of Israel. God desires to rescue and save us from the power of sin and death, (See Romans 8:2) and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised 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 and equip us for spiritual battle in keeping with His power and wisdom. (See Ephesians 6:10-18)

Next time we learn how, “all the people likewise cut down every man his bough”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Abimelech Told About the Gathering - Judges 9:47

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-seven of Judges, we learn how, “it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered”, where we read,

And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

The verse reads, “And it was told Abimelech, …” The writer began with the words, “and it was told” whose name means “and the following was declared and made known to” “Abimelech” whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine”. The writer shared shared how “Abimelech” was informed about the following.

The verse continues, “… that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.” The writer added the words, “that all the men of the tower” which means “that each, the whole and every one of the male human beings belonging to the elevated platform or pulpit” “of Shechem” or “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” “were gathered together” which means “were assembled and collected with one another”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” was notified that every one of the remaining male human beings belonging to the elevated pulpit belonging to “Shechem” were assembled with one another.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech” was informed concerning the male human beings were assembled with one another who belonged to the elevated stage within “Shechem”. These men somehow avoided the onslaught of “Abimelech” and his companies, but it was not to last. God was at hand, and His purposes and will were being worked out. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised 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 and give us the wisdom to understand that He oversees everyone and everything at all times. (See 1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:1-4)

Next time we learn how, “Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

When the Men of Shechem Heard - Judges 9:46

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-six of Judges, we learn what happened, “when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that” where we read,

And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that,

they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

The verse reads, “And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, …” The writer began with the words, “and when all the men” which means “and at the time and moment each, the whole and everyone of the male human beings” “of the tower of Shechem” which means “belonging to the elevated stage or pulpit 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” “heard that” or “were given the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding that Abimelech slew the people of Shechem, destroyed the city and spread salt across it”, they did the following. The writer shared at the time and moment the male human beings who belonged to the elevated stage belonging to “Shechem” perceived what “Abimelech” did to the people and city of “Shechem”, they did the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.” The writer continued with the words, “they entered into an hold” which means “they, the people of the tower of Shechem, went and proceeded forth to an underground chamber, cellar or room” “of the house of the god Berith” or “pertaining to the habitation, abode or dwelling place belonging to the deity Berith whose name means ‘covenant’ and was in the name of Baal-berith, a foreign deity worshipped in Shechem”. The writer shared how “all the men of the tower of Shechem” proceeded to an underground chamber within the dwelling place of the deity named “Berith”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how there were a few men within “Shechem” who were not defeated by Abimelech, and these men went to an underground cellar within the dwelling place of their deity “Berith”. We shall see what happens with them in our next verses, but for now let us be mindful that no one escapes the presence of God. God knows and loves everybody, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with all of us through 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 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 always be aware of His working among us and with those who think they can hide. (See Deuteronomy 29:29)

Next time we learn how, “it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Abimelech Fighting Against the City - Judges 9:45

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them. And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them”, and in chapter nine and verse forty-five of Judges, we learn how, ““Abimelech fought against the city all that day” where we read,

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

The verse reads, “And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, …” The writer began with the words, “and Abimelech” whose name means “Melek is father or my father is king” and was “the son of Gideon by a concubine” “fought against the city” which means “battled and warred in opposition to the habitation, abode and dwelling place “all that day” or “throughout each, every and the whole of the sunrise to sunset”; “and he took the city” which means “and he, Abimelech, captured, seized and overtook the habitation, abode and dwelling place”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” not only warred against the dwelling place of “Shechem”, but also seized and took control of the town.

The verse continues, “and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.” The writer added the words, “and slew the people” which means “and beat, hit and killed the human beings” “that was therein” or “who were within the city”, “and beat down the city” which means “and pulled, broke and destroyed the habitation, abode and dwelling place”, “and sowed it with salt” or “and scattered and spread the city with pulverized and dissolved salt”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” killed all the human beings within the city of “Shechem”, destroyed the dwelling place and spread dissolved salt over it.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech” killed all the human beings within “Shechem”, destroyed the location and spread salt that was dissolved all over it. “Abimelech” took down those who aligned in opposition to God’s people, and eventually their location was destroyed. God watched out for the people of Israel, and He will do the same for us when we submit to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. At the time we receive Jesus 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 confidence and assurance that He is for us and not against us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Next time we learn what happened, “when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…