The Word for Today with Ray

Saturday, October 3, 2026

God Did So - Judges 6:40

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as you have said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not your anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray you, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew”, and in chapter six and verse forty of Judges, we learn how, “God did so that night”, where we read,

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only,

and there was dew on all the ground.

The verse reads, “And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, …” The writer began with the words, “and God did so that night” which means “and the Supreme Deity made, accomplished and ordained that particular nighttime”: “for it was dry” or “because, since and on account that it, the fleece, existed as arid and without and moisture” “upon the fleece only” which means “on the wooly covering of a sheep or goat solely and alone”. The writer shared how Jehovah God the Supreme Deity caused the “fleece” alone to be completely “dry” that particular nighttime.

The verse continues, “…and there was dew on all the ground.” The writer added the words, “and there was dew” which means “and there existed nighttime mist” “on all the ground” or “upon each, every and the whole of the territory and land”. The writer shared how there was a nighttime mist on every part of the land surrounding the “fleece”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God complied with “Gideon’s” request to make the “fleece” dry and the land surrounding it to be soaked with nighttime mist. Gideon was God’s man for the task of liberating “Israel” from the oppression of the Midianites, and because He would give Him the wisdom and ability to perform, “Gideon” will be successful. God wants everyone to be involved in His Kingdom work, and the first step is to receive His Son Jesus who was sent 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 believe and trust in Him as our personal “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 give us the ability to accomplish tasks in His Kingdom for which we never previously had knowledge we could do. (See Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “Gideon, and all the people that were with him … pitched beside the well of Harod”, 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".

Let the Fleece be Dry - Judges 6:39

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-nine of Judges, we learn how Gideon said to Jehovah God, “this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece”, where we read,

And Gideon said unto God, Let not your anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray you, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

The verse reads, “And Gideon said unto God, Let not your anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once:” 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 God” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the Supreme Deity”, “let not your anger be hot against me” which means “do not allow your, Jehovah God’s, wrath that wrinkles the nostrils and nose exist as furious, kindled and burning in opposition to me, Gideon”, “and I will speak but this once” or “and I, Gideon, shall declare, talk and converse indeed and surely this one and only time or occurrence”. The writer shared how “Gideon” appealed to Jehovah God not to have fiery wrath in opposition to him, and he would speak just one more time.

The verse goes on to say, “let me prove, I pray you, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.” The writer continued with the words, “let me prove” which means “allow and permit me, Gideon, to test, assay and try”, “I pray you” or “I, Gideon, entreat, ask and beseech you, Jehovah God”, “but this once with the fleece” which means “solely and only one more time by the use of the wooly covering of a sheep or goat”; “let it now be dry” or “allow and permit the fleece at this time exist as arid and without moisture” “only upon the fleece” which means “indeed and solely on the wooly covering of a sheep or goat”, “and upon all the ground” or “and on each, the whole and every portion of the territory and land” “let there be dew” which means “allow and permit there to exist nighttime mist”. The writer shared how “Gideon” asked Jehovah God to allow him to test his calling one more time by the use of the “fleece”. This time Gideon wanted Jehovah God to make the land around the “fleece” to be wet, but the “fleece” to be totally “dry”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” continued to doubt his calling from Jehovah God, so he appealed to God to allow him to “test” whether God wanted him to deliver “Israel” or not. If the “fleece” was dry and all the ground around it was wet, Gideon would know God commissioned him. We all may have felt this way, and sometimes, we may need reassurance as well. God wants us to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the grave after three days. When we submit 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 reassure us not only that He has called us, but also that He will equip us for the task He has in mind. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Hebrews 13:20-21)

Next time we learn how, “God did so that night”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Wringing Out the Dew - Judges 6:38

And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together,

and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

The verse reads, “And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, …” The writer began with the words, “and it was so” whose name means “and the following happened and occurred”: “for he rose up early on the morrow” or “because, since and on account that he, Gideon, got up, arose and made an early start upon the day after or the next day”, “and thrust the fleece together” which means “and pressed and tightened upon itself the wooly covering of a sheep or goat”. The writer shared how “Gideon” arose “early” the next start of the day and pressed the “fleece of wool” upon itself.

The verse continues, “… and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.” The writer added the words, “and wringed the dew out of the fleece” which means “and drained the night mist from the wooly covering of a sheep or goat”, “a bowl full of water” or “a basin or deepened dish with it’s entire contents filled.” The writer shared how “Gideon” squeezed the “fleece” and a basin filled with water came from it.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how God answered the prayer of “Gideon” and totally soaked the “fleece”. There was so much moisture within it that “Gideon” was able to fill a basin completely from it’s contents. God meant to reassure “Gideon” that he was the man who would deliver “Israel” from the Midianites. We may remember that “Gideon” felt that he was too poor and insignificant to perform this task, but God would be with him, and “Gideon” would be victorious. God wants to use us as well, and regardless of our background or status, He will employ us in His Kingdom when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the grave after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”. As we submit 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 give us reassurance when He calls us to perform a certain task in His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:!3; Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:33)

Next time we learn how Gideon said to Jehovah God, “this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

A Fleece of Wool - Judges 6:37

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said …”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-seven of Judges, we learn how Gideon said, “I will put a fleece of wool in the floor” where we read,

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only,

and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.

The verse reads, “Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, …” The writer began with the words, “behold, I will put a fleece of wool” whose name means “lo, look and consider, I, Gideon, shall set, place and establish a wooly covering of a sheep or goat” “in the floor” or “within the threshing barn floor”; “and if the dew” which means “and whether and in case the night mist” “be on the fleece only” or “exists upon the wooly covering of a sheep or goat solely and alone” the following will be true. The writer shared how “Gideon” presented the idea to Jehovah God that he would set out the wooly white covering of a sheep or goat, and whether and in case the nighttime mist exists upon the “covering” along and the following also be true …

The verse goes on to say, “… and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” The writer continued with the words, “and it be dry upon the earth beside” which means “and the territory and land alongside of the fleece of wool exists as heated, drought and with desolate heat”, “then shall I know” or “at that time will I, Gideon, perceive, understand, distinguish and discern”, “that you will save Israel” which means “that you, Jehovah God, shall rescue and deliver Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’” “by my hand” or “through the means of my, Gideon’s, power, might and authority”. The writer shared how “Gideon” presented the idea of the land all around the “fleece of wool” being arid and as with drought, and by this he would perceive that Jehovah God would rescue “Israel” through his power and might.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” needed assurance from Jehovah God that he was to deliver “Israel” from the power of the Midianites, so he devised a plan which consisted of laying out a “fleece of wool” which alone would be wet after the nighttime, and the land surrounding the “fleece” would be completely “dry”. This may seem impossible if it were not God who was called upon to make this happen, and we shall see what God will do. God knows people often need reassurance that He is committed to them, and this may be discerned by considering the cross where His Son Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind and after three days was raised from the dead. 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 give us His blessed assurance that He is at work in and through us in the world. (See John 3:16;16:13; Acs 1:8; Mark 10:44; 1 Thessalonians 1:5)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Friday, October 2, 2026

If God Will Save Israel - Judges 6:36

In the book of Judges we learned how, “all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.”And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-six of Judges, we learn how,“Gideon said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand” where we read,

And Gideon said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,

The verse reads, “And Gideon said unto God, …” 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 God” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the Supreme Deity”. The writer shared how “Gideon” began to speak to Jehovah God with the following words.

The verse continues, “… If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,” The writer added the words, “if you will save Israel” which means “whether and in case you, Jehovah God, shall rescue and deliver Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “by my hand” or “through the means of my, Gideon’s, power, might and authority”, “as you have said” which means “even and indeed like you, Jehovah God, have uttered, declared and proclaimed”. The writer shared how “Gideon” repeated the idea of Jehovah God rescuing and saving “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” began to reaffirm with Jehovah God that He would use him to rescue and deliver “Israel”, and we shall see what “Gideon” proposes to Him in our next verse. For now, let us consider that “Gideon” needed reassurance that he was the man for this job. God wants all of us to be employed in His Kingdom, and this begins when we yield ourselves to His Son Jesus whom He sent 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 surrender our lives to Him as our “Savor and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to function in His Kingdom according to His perfect plan an will. (John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 1 Peter 2:9)

Next time we learn how Gideon said, “I will put a fleece of wool in the floor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Messengers Sent - Judges 6:35

And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

The verse reads, “And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him:” The writer began with the words, “and he sent messengers” whose name means “and he, Gideon, dispatched and assigned envoys, ambassadors and representatives” “throughout all Manasseh” or “to each, the whole and every part of Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”; “who also was gathered after him” which means “who even so and indeed were collected together and assembled beside him, Gideon”. The writer shared how “Gideon” dispatched representatives through every part of the territory that belonged to “Manasseh”, and the people from that area assembled themselves with him.

The verse goes on to say, “and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.” The writer continued with the words, “and he sent messengers” which means “and he, Gideon, dispatched and assigned envoys, ambassadors and representatives” “unto Asher” or “to Asher whose name means ‘happy’ and was the son of Jacob and Zilpah and the progenitor of the tribe who descended from Asher”, “and unto Zebulun” which means “and to Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the tenth of the sons of Jacob, sixth and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun”, “and unto Naphtali” or “and to Naphtali whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the sixth son of Jacob and the second by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel and the progenitor of the tribe that descended fro him”; “and they came up” which means “and they, the people from Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali ascended and arose” “to meet them” or “to encounter and come up to him, Gideon and the others gather with him”. The writer shared shared how “Gideon” dispatched more representatives to “Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali”, and every one of them responded.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how ”Gideon” gathered together warriors to fight against the “Midianites, Amalekites and the people in the eastern direction”. God gave “Gideon” the wisdom and direction for assembling and army against the people of Israel’s hating foes, and He is aware that we have enemies against our souls that are attempting to keep us from a personal relationship with Him. God so loves us that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised Him 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to equip us to live in manner that is pleasing to Him as we work in His Kingdom. (See 3:16; 16:13; Acs 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon said unto God, If you will save Israel by my hand”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Pitched in the Valley of Jezreel - Judges 6:34

In the book of Judges we learned how, “all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel", and in chapter six and verse thirty-four of Judges, we learn how,“the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon” where we read,

But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet;

and Abiezer was gathered after him.

The verse reads, “But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet;” The writer began with the words, “but the Spirit” which means “however, nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover the the breath, mind, animation, vivacity, vigor and courage” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “came upon Gideon” which means “fully clothed and arrayed 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”, “and he blew a trumpet” or “and he, Gideon, thrust sounded and blasted a curved horn or cornet”. The writer shared how Jehovah God’s vivacity, vigor and courage fell on “Gideon”, and he blasted a cornet or curved horn.

The verse continues, “and Abiezer was gathered after him.” The writer added the words, “and Abiezer” whose name means “my father is help or helpful” and was “a Manassite, called ‘son’ of Gilead, also son of Gilead's sister” “was gathered after him” or “was assembled alongside him, Gideon”. The writer shared how “Abiezer” aligned himself with “Gideon”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “God’s Spirit” fell upon “Gideon”, and it was by His power and might that He would defeat his foes. (See Zechariah 4:6) God wants us to do powerful and mighty things in His Kingdom, and when He 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, 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 given His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and give us the wisdom and knowledge to align with those who are purposed by His Spirit to do great works in His Kingdom. (See Matthew 6:33; John 3:16)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “sent messengers throughout all Manasseh”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…