Monday, September 14, 2026

Shamgar the Son of Anath - Judges 3:31

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years”, and in chapter three and verse thirty-one of Judges, we learn, “after him was Shamgar the son of Anath” where we read,


And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.


The verse reads, “And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad:” The writer began with the words, “and after him” which means “and following him, Ehud” “was Shamgar” or “existed Shamgar whose name means ‘sword’ and was a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel” “the son of Anath” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Anath whose name means ‘answer’”, “which slew of the Philistines” or “who hit, beat, struck and killed men belonging to the Philistines whose name means ‘immigrants’ and were inhabitants of Philistia; descendants of Mizraim who immigrated from Caphtor (Crete?) to the western seacoast of Canaan” “six hundred men” which means “six hundred male human beings” “with an ox goad” or “by the use of a cattle, beef or bullock prod, spike or rod”. The writer shared how “Shamgar” employed the use of the horn of an “ox” to kill “six hundred” male human beings who were inhabitants of “Philistia”. 


The verse goes on to say, “and he also delivered Israel.” The writer continued with the words, “and he also delivered” which means “and he, Shamgar, even so and indeed rescued, saved and set free” “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 “Shamgar” even so and indeed rescued and saved the people of “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn about another judge who ruled in Israel. Though there is not a lot of information given about him, “Shamgar” rescued “Israel” from the “Philistines” by killing “six hundred” of their men with the horn of an ox. God uses all kinds of means and men to perform His Kingdom work, and the wonder of the “judges” of Israel was the variety which was demonstrated by Him to save and rescue His people. God went to great lengths to save us from the penalty of sins when He 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 our lives to 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 empower us to live according to that truth as we become involved in God defeating our hating foes to His glory and for His Kingdom. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Matthew 6:33)

Next time we begin a new chapter and learn how, “the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD”, 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".



Moab Subdued Under Israel - Judges 3:30

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; and there escaped not a man”, and in chapter three and verse thirty of Judges, we learn how, “Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel” where we read,


So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.


The verse reads, “So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel.” The writer began with the words, “so Moab was subdued that day” which means “therefore and on this account Moab whose name means ‘of his father’ and was a son of Lot by his eldest daughter and the nation descended from the son of Lot existed as humbled, brought down, made low and brought into subjection that particular sunrise to sunset” “under the hand of Israel” or “beneath the power, might and authority 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 people of “Moab” were brought into subjection that particular sunrise to sunset beneath the power and might of “Israel”


The verse continues, “And the land had rest fourscore years.” The writer added the words, “and the land” which means “and the territory, district and region” “had rest fourscore years” or “possessed quiet, tranquility and peace for the length of eighty annual sets of days”. The writer shared how Israel’s territory possessed tranquillity and peace for eighty “years” after they defeated “Moab”

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the offspring belonging to “Israel” brought “Moab” into subjection on that particular sunrise to sunset, and afterward, the territory experienced tranquility and peace for “eighty years”. God did a magnificent work with the people of Israel, and because He loves them, He saved them and provided them with peace. God will do the same for us when we believe and trust in 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 submit 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 give us the ability to overcome our hating foes and enjoy peace and quietness within our souls. (See John 3:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Next time we learn, “after him was Shamgar the son of Anath”, 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".


Ten Thousand of Moab Slain - Judges 3:29

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them. And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-nine of Judges, we learn how, “they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men” where we read,


And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor; 

and there escaped not a man.


The verse reads, “And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valor;” The writer began with the words, “and they slew of Moab” which means “and they, Ehud and the offspring belonging to Israel, hit, beat, struck and killed those belonging to Moab whose name means ‘of his father’ and was a son of Lot by his eldest daughter and the nation descended from the son of Lot” “at that time” or “in that event, experience and occasion” “about ten thousand men” which means “around ten thousand male human beings”, “all lusty” or “each, the whole and every one of them fat, rich, robust and stout”, “and all men of valor” which means “and each, the whole and every one of the male human beings with might, wealth, ability and efficiency”. The writer shared how Ehud accompanied by the offspring belonging to “Israel” killed around “ten thousand” male human beings in “Moab” who “all” were fat, wealthy and filled with strength and ability. 


The verse goes on to say, “and there escaped not a man.” The writer continued with the words, “and there escaped” which means “and there ran, broke and slipped away” “not a man” or “not a single male human being”. The writer shared how there wasn’t single male human being of Moab who slipped away. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Ehud” and the offspring of “Israel” avenged themselves upon the male offspring of “Moab”. Jehovah God came to the rescue on behalf of the people of “Israel”, and even though they had forsaken Him, when they cried out to God, He saved them. God will do the same for us. Even though we have sinned against Him and violated His law and ways, 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 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 ability to keep our confidence in Him when oppressors seem to have an advantage over us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Romans 3:23;6:23; 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel”, 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".



Ehud Says Follow After Me - Judges 3:28

In the book of Judges we learned how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-eight of Judges, we learn how Ehud said, “follow after me” where we read,


And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.


The verse reads, “And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” The writer began with the words, “and he said unto them” which means “and he, Ehud, uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the offspring belonging to Israel”, “follow after me” or “chase, run after and pursue me, Ehud”: “for the LORD” which means “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has delivered your enemies the Moabites” or “has put, set, granted and bestowed your, the children of Israel’s, hating foes and adversaries the Moabites whose name means and was ‘of his father’ and was a son of Lot by his eldest daughter and the nation descended from the son of Lot” “into your hand” which means “to your, the children of Israel’s, power, might and authority”. The writer shared how “Ehud” told the children of Israel to pursue him because Jehovah God gave their hating adversaries over to their power and strength.


The verse continues, “And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.” The writer added the words, “and they went down after him” which means “and they, the children of Israel, descended in pursuit of Ehud”, “and took the fords of Jordan” or “and captured, seized and occupied the passage or transit place belonging to 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)” “toward Moab” which means “in the direction of Moab whose name means “of his father”, “and suffered not a man” or “and did not in any way or manner allow or permit a male human being” “to pass over” which means “to march or cross over”. The writer shared how the offspring of “Israel” descended from Mount Ephraim, seized the passages belonging to the “Jordan” in the direction of “Moab” and would not allow anyone to cross the river. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Ehud” and the offspring belonging to “Israel” marched toward battle in opposition to the people of “Moab”. For eighteen years “Israel” was oppressed by “Eglon” and “Moab”, but now their time was up and God came to their rescue. God loves to rescue people who surrender their lives to 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 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 to guide us into all truth and provide the ability to live according to that truth while He calls us to defeat the hating foes that are against Him and us. (See John 3:16: 16:13: Acts 1:8; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how, “they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men”, 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".


 

Ehud Blows a Trumpet - Judges 3:27

In the book of Judges we learned how “Ehud” killed “Eglon the king of Moab” with a “dagger” and, “Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he covers his feet in his summer chamber. And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-seven of Judges, we learn how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim” where we read,


And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, 

and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.


The verse reads, “And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, …” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following happened and occurred”, “when he was come” or “at the time and moment he, Ehud, passed into, entered and attained” “that he blew a trumpet” which means “that he, Ehud, gave a blast and sounded a cornet or curved horn” “in the mountain of Ephraim” or “within the rising above the plain or hill belonging to Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh”. The writer shared how the following occurred at the time and moment “Ehud” entered the city of “Seirath” that “Ehud” gave a blast upon a “cornet or ram’s horn” in the rising above the plain belonging to “Ephraim”


The verse goes on to say “… and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.” The writer continued 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” “went down with him from the mount” or “descended alongside and accompanying him, Ehud, separate and apart from the rising above the plain”, “and he before them” which means “and he, Ehud, prior to and in advance of them, the children of Israel”. The writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” descended alongside “Ehud” from the rising above the plain, and “Ehud” lead them. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how ”Ehud” was bold when he returned to the people of “Israel”, and he blasted a ram’s horn to sound an alarm for battle. The offspring belonging to “Israel” accompanied him as he descended in advance of them while they followed his lead. God destroyed “Eglon” through the hand of “Ehud”, and now He would deliver the Moabite army through him as well. God loves the people of Israel, and He defended them. God loves us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of al 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to empower us to live according to that truth so we are used in His Kingdom against the foes who rise up against Him and His people. (See John 3:16; Isaiah 54:17) 

Next time we learn how Ehud, “said unto them, Follow after me”, 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".



Sunday, September 13, 2026

Ehud Escaped - Judges 3:26

In the book of Judges we learned how “Ehud” the judge of Israel killed “Eglon” with a “dagger” and, “Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he covers his feet in his summer chamber. And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-six of Judges, we learn how, “Ehud escaped while they tarried” where we read,


And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.


The verse reads, “And Ehud escaped while they tarried, …” The writer began with the words, “and Ehud” whose name means “I will give thanks and I will be praised” “escaped while they tarried” or “slipped away and broke loose during the time they, the servants of Eglon, lingered and delayed”. The writer shared how “Ehud” slipped away during the time the servants of “Eglon” were waiting for him to appear. 


The verse continues, “… and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.” The writer added the words, “and passed beyond the quarries” which means “and marched over, traversed and advanced past the carved, graven images and idols”, “and escaped unto Seirath” or “and slipped away and broke loose to Seirath whose name means “the shaggy” and was a place probably in southeast Ephraim”. The writer shared how “Ehud” made his way past the idols and graven images and broke loose to “Seirath”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Ehud” fled from “Eglon’s” cooling roof chamber during the time his servants were waiting for him to respond. They were unaware that their king and master “Eglon” was dead, but “Ehud” used that time to break loose, traverse the location of the idols and graven images and travel to “Seirath”. God led “Ehud”, and set him free. God will also lead us 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. When we believe 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 follow His lead any time He desires our escape. (See John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

Next time we learn how Ehud, “blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim”, 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".


 


Tarrying Till Ashamed and Eglon Dead - Judges 3:25

In the book of Judges we learned how “Ehud” told “Eglon the king of Moab”, “I have a secret errand unto you, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him .And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlor, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto you. And he arose out of his seat. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he covers his feet in his summer chamber”, and in chapter three and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn how the servants, “tarried till they were ashamed … their lord was fallen down dead on the earth” where we read,


And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.


The verse reads, “And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlor;” The writer began with the words, “and they tarried” which means “and they, the servants of Eglon, writhed, travailed, were in anguish and waited” “till they were ashamed” or “until they, the servants of Eglon, existed as disconcerted, disappointed and confounded”: “and, behold, he opened not the doors” which means “and lo, look and consider, he, Eglon, did not loose, set free or bread forth the leafs, lids or gates” “of the parlor” or “belonging to the roof room or chamber”. The writer shared how the “servants of Eglon” waited for him until they were writhing and in anguish, and still, “Eglon” did not “open” the gates belonging to his roof chamber. 


The verse goes on to say, “therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.” The writer continued with the words, “therefore they took a key” which means “wherefore, then and on this account they, the servants of Eglon, fetched, seized and acquired an opening instrument”, “and opened them” or “and let loose, threw open and broke forth them, the doors to the roof chamber”: “and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead” which means “and lo, look and consider, their, the servants of Eglon’s, firm master, superintendent and king existed as cast down, prostrate and lain” “on the earth” or “upon the land, country, territory, district and ground”. The writer shared how the “servants of Eglon” secured a lock opening instrument, set free the doors and discovered their master “Eglon” had “fallen down dead” to the ground.

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the “servants of Eglon” delayed opening the doors to his cooling roof chamber until they were embarrassed for waiting so long. They finally fetched the “key” to the doors, opened them and found “Eglon” “fallen down dead” to the ground. God’s plan worked, and “Ehud” carried out His directives to accomplish His work. God wants to do a work in us as well, and when He 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, 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 who will guide us into all truth and help us rely upon Him with all the plans He has for our lives. (See John 3:16; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how, “Ehud escaped while they tarried”, 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".