The Word for Today with Ray

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

No Kindness to Gideon - Judges 8:35

In the book of Judges we learned how, “it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side” and in chapter eight and verse thirty-five of Judges, we learn about the people of Israel, “neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon” where we read,

Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,

according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

The verse reads, “Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon,…” The writer began with the words, “neither showed they kindness” which means “no and not in any way did they, the children of Israel, fashion, accomplish or produce goodness, faithfulness or favor” “to the house of Jerubbaal” or “to the dwelling place, abode, habitation or family belonging to Jerubbaal whose name means ‘let Baal contend’ and was the name given to Gideon by his father when he destroyed the altar of Baal”, “namely” which means “whose given name by which he was called”, “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”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” did not produce goodness and favor to “Jerubbaal” whose name was “Gideon” nor His household.

The verse goes on to say, “… according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “according to all the goodness” which means “in keeping with each, every and the whole of the pleasantness, agreeableness, excellence and favor” “which he had showed” which means “that he, Gideon, fashioned, accomplished, produced and exhibited” “unto Israel” or “toward 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 people of “Israel” did not extend to “Gideon” the same measure of pleasantness and favor that “Gideon” had provided to them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” did not provide the same measure of pleasantness and favor to “Gideon” and his family that he gave to them. Sometimes it seems this way for us as well, and it certainly was that way with Jesus as He extended His favor and love to everyone when He died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead after three days. When we yield to 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 empower us to live according to that truth so we make Jesus the priority of our lives and never neglect our relationship with Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:33)

Next time we begin a new chapter learn how, “Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to 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".

Israel Remembered Not the LORD - Judges 8:34

In the book of Judges we learned how, “it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-four of Judges, we learn how, “the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God” where we read,

And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God,

who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:

The verse reads, “And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, …” 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” “remembered not the LORD” or “did not call to mind or recall Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “their God” which means “their, Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” forgot Jehovah who was their “Supreme Deity”.

The verse continues, “… who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:” The writer added the words, “who had delivered them” which means “that freed, rescued and saved them, the people of Israel” “out of the hands” which means “from the power, might, strength and authority” “of all their enemies” or “belonging to each, every and the whole of their, Israel’s, hating foes and adversaries” “on every side” which means “upon each, the whole and all around them”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” did not call to mind the way Jehovah God rescued and saved them from every one of their hating foes who surrounded them.

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the offspring of “Israel” did not bring to mind Jehovah God even though He rescued them from the power and might of all their hating foes who encircled them. We might think this amazing because Jehovah God freed them in so many unconventional ways, but nonetheless, they did not think about Him. God wants everyone to be in a personal relationship with Him 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 our lives to 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 continually remind us that He must be first in our lives and no one else. (See Matthew 6:33; John 3:16)

Next time we learn, “neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Israel Turn Again - Judges 8:33

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-three of Judges, we learn how, “as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again” where we read,

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again,

and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

The verse reads, “And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, …” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred”, “as soon as Gideon was dead” or “at the time and when 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 was expired, lifeless and inanimate”, “that the children of Israel” which means “that 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” “turned again” or “went back or returned” and did the following. The writer shared when “Gideon” expired the offspring belonging to “Israel” returned to the following.

The verse goes on to say, “… and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.” The writer continued with the words, “and went a whoring” which means “and committed spiritual adultery and fornication like a harlot” “after Baalim” which means “following Baalim whose name means ‘lord’ and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites”, “and made Baalberith” or “and put, placed, established and appointed Baalberith whose name means ‘lord of the covenant’ and was a god of the Philistines” “their god” which means “their, the people of Israel’s, divine ruler and judge”. The writer shared how the people of “Israel” committed spiritual adultery as they pursued “Baalim” and appointed “Baalberith” as their divine judge and ruler.

When we mediate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the people of “Israel” once again turned away from Jehovah God and committed spiritual adultery by worshiping “Baal”. They were so blatant in their defiance that they caused “Baalberith” to exist as their divine judge. We shall see how this caused difficulties for them again, but for now, let us consider our own lives. Is there anything in our lives that has become an idol to us or that we give our time, energy and money to that has taken the place of Jehovah God? If so, we can turn from our ways and worship Jehovah God who sent His Son 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 to help us keep Him and His righteousness as the priority in our lives. (See Matthew 6:33; 1 Thessalonians 1:9)

Next time we learn how, “the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gideon Died - Judges 8:32

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-two of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age” where we read,

And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age,

and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

The verse reads, “And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, …” The writer began with the words, “and Gideon the son of Joash” which means “and Gideon whose name means ‘hewer’ and was the male offspring and progeny belonging to Joash whose name means ‘given by the LORD’” “died in a good old age” or “breathed his last and became inanimate at a grey-haired pleasant, agreeable and excellent amount of time”. The writer shared how “Gideon” who was “Joash’s” male progeny became lifeless.

The verse continues, “… and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” The writer added the words “and was buried” which means “and was entombed”, “in the sepulcher” which means “within the burying place or tomb” “of Joash his father” or “belonging to Joash whose name means ‘given by the LORD’ his, Gideon’s, male immediate male progenitor and ancestor”, “in Ophrah” or “within Ophrah whose name means ‘fawn’ and was a place in Manasseh, native place of Gideon; probably located close to Shechem” “of the Abiezrites” which means “belonging to the Abiezrites whose name means ‘my father is help’ and was one of the family of Abiezer, a descendant of Joseph's son, Manasseh”. The writer shared how “Gideon” was entombed within the burying place of his “father Joash”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon died” as a pleasant and agreeable grey-headed man and was entombed in the burying place belonging to his “father Joash”. We note how this wonderfully used man of God came to the end of his life on earth, and thus, his work within God’s Kingdom was done. God knows the number of our days, (See Psalm 90:12) and He knows the day of our “death”. On that day we will face the judgment of God, (Hebrews 9:27) and we shall give an account of what we have done in our bodies. (Romans 14:12) For this reason God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield to 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 help us use the time we have to bring glory and honor to Him prior to meeting Him face to face. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Next time we learn, “as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gideon’s Son Abimelech - Judges 8:31

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty-one of Judges, we learn how, Gideon had a son named, “Abimelech” where we read,

And his concubine that was in Shechem,

she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

The verse reads, “And his concubine that was in Shechem,” The writer began with the words, “and his concubine” which means “and his, Gideon’s, mistress or paramour” “that was in Shechem” or “who lived within 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) south- east of Samaria” did the following. The writer shared how the paramour of “Gideon” did the following.

The verse goes on to say, “she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.” The writer continued with the words “she also bare him a son” which means “she, the concubine, even so and indeed begot, engendered and brought forth to him, Gideon, a male progeny and offspring”, “whose name he called Abimelech” which means “whom Gideon named or made known as Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’”. The writer shared how “Gideon’s” paramour indeed produced a male child for him that he named “Abimelech”.

When we think though the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” not only had “many wives”, but he also had a “paramour” with whom he had a male child that he named “Abimelech”. We shall see what happens with “Abimelech” in our next few verses, but for now let us consider the grace and mercy of Jehovah God that is being demonstrated here. God allow this in “Gideon’s” life, and He will use in to manage His Kingdom. Sometimes acts and deeds of people do not align with God’s perfect will for their lives, and for this reason God 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 yield to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our errors and sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us even when we have made an error in judgment according to His perfect purpose and will. (See John 3:16; 1 John 1:9)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Gideon Had Seventy Sons and Many Wives - Judges 8:30

In the book of Judges we learned, “Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon. And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house”, and in chapter eight and verse thirty of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon had threescore and ten sons” and “many wives” where we read,

And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.

The verse reads, “And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten:” 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” “had threescore and ten sons” or “possessed seventy male offspring and progeny” “of his body begotten” which means “which came through his physical body”. The writer shared how “Gideon” had seventy “male children” that came from his physical “body”.

The verse continues, “for he had many wives.” The writer added the words “for he had” which means “because, since and on account that he, Gideon, possessed” “many wives” which means “a large and numerous amount of female spouses”. The writer shared how “Gideon” not only had “seventy sons”, but those sons were from an abundant amount of female spouses.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn more about the personal life of “Gideon”. “Gideon” not only had “seventy sons”, but they came through numerous “wives”. We shall see what happens to these “sons” in our future verses, but for now, this appears to be a great blessing from Jehovah God. God wants us to live a blessed life, and when we surrender to His Son Jesus who was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days 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 to live an abundant life that He has promised to all who believe. (See John 10:10)

Next time we learn how Gideon had a, “concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Jerubbaal Dwelt in His Own House - Judges 8:29

In the book of Judges we learned, “Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-nine of Judges, we learn how, “Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house” where we read,

And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.

The verse reads, “And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went …” The writer began with the words, “and Jerubbaal” whose name means “let Baal contend” and was “the name given to Gideon by his father when he destroyed the altar of Baal” “the son of Joash” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Joash whose name means ‘given by the Lord’” “went” which means “left, departed and proceeded forward”. The writer employed “Gideon’s” other name, “Jerubbaal”, who was “Joash’s” male progeny to tell how “Gideon” departed.

The verse goes on to say, “…and dwelt in his own house.” The writer continued with the words “and dwelt” which means “and abode, inhabited and lived” “in his own house” which means “within his, Gideon’s, own personal dwelling place, habitation and abode”. The writer shared how “Gideon” went to his own home and lived there.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the mission of “Gideon” was completed, and now he went home to live. Jehovah God has a mission and work for all of us in His Kingdom, and it begins when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days as our personal “Savior and Lord”. When we put our faith and trust in Him, 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 accomplish His assignment for us until we go to live in Heaven with Him. (Mark 10:44; John 14:1-6)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon had threescore and ten sons” and “many wives”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…