Abimelech Chasing Gaal - Judges 9:40

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech”, and in chapter nine and verse forty of Judges, we learn how “Abimelech chased him" where we read,

And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

The verse reads, “And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, …” The writer began with the words, “and Abimelech chased him” which means “and Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’  and was the son of Gideon by a concubine, followed, pursued and ran after him, Gaal”, “and fled before him” which means “and departed, took flight and ran away in front and in the presence of him, Gaal”, “and many were overthrown and wounded” or “and a great and abundant number of people existed as cast down, prostrated, fallen, pierced, fatally wounded and slain”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” ran after “Gaal”, and “Gaal” quickly departed from his presence while a great number of people were cast down and fatally wounded. 

The verse continues, “… even unto the entering of the gate.” The writer added the words, “even unto the entering” which means “unto the doorway, opening or entrance” “of the gate” or “belonging to the entrance, marketplace or meeting place of the city”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” ran after “Gaal” and continued doing so until he reached the opening or doorway to the city. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how the battle began between “Abimelech” and “Gaal”, and “Abimelech” pursued “Gaal” who ran away until he reached the entryway to the city. Multitudes of people were cast down and slain in this battle, and the contention between the opposing sides came to flourishing point. God sent an “evil spirit” to be between “Abimelech” and “Shechem”, and we are seeing the effect of His dispatching. (See Judges 9:23) God knows every person is in need of a “Savior” from their sins and the wages of sin that accompanies them, (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) and for this reason 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 put our faith and trust in Him as our “Lord and Savior”, 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 rely upon Him to engage in all the battles that are necessary to fulfill His plans. (See Jeremiah 29:11)

Next time we learn how, “Abimelech dwelt at Arumah", 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".

Gaal Before the Men of Shechem - Judges 9:39

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. And Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim. Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now your mouth, wherewith you said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that you have despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-nine of Judges, we learn, “Gaal went out … and fought Abimelech” where we read,

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

The verse reads, “And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem,” The writer began with the words, “and Gaal went out” which means “and Gaal whose name means ‘loathing’ and was the son of Eved or Ebed who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech, departed and proceeded forth” “before the men of Shechem” which means “in front and in the presence of the male human beings belonging to Shechem whose name means ‘back or shoulder’ and was the son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival”. The writer shared how “Gaal” proceeded forth in the presence of the male human beings belonging to “Shechem”. 

The verse goes on to say, “… and fought with Abimelech.” The writer continued with the words, “and fought” which means “and did battle and war” “with Abimelech” or “against Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father" or "my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine”. The writer shared how “Gaal” did battle “with Abimelech”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Gaal” acted upon his plan and words and went to war with “Abimelech”. We shall see how this worked out for him in our next verse, but for now let us keep in mind that all these participants were following the spiritual direction of Jehovah God. God’s desire is to have a personal relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died 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 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 give us the ability to live in keeping with His will for our lives regardless of what others are doing under His spiritual influence. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “Abimelech chased him", 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".

Where is Now Your Mouth? - Judges 9:38

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. And Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-eight of Judges, we learn, “then said Zebul unto him, Where is now your mouth?” where we read,

Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now your mouth, wherewith you said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that you have despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

The verse reads, “Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now your mouth, wherewith you said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?” The writer began with the words, “then said Zebul unto him” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed Zebul whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the chief man of the city of Shechem at the time of the contest between Abimelech and the native Canaanites, “where is now your mouth” which means “in what place or location exists at this time your, Gaal’s, orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking”, “wherewith you said” or “with what you, Gaal, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “who is Abimelech” which means “what person is Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father" or "my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by his concubine”, “that we should serve him” or “that we, the people of Shechem and Gaal ought to work and labor for him, Abimelech”? The writer shared how “Zebul” questioned in what place the “mouth” of “Gaal” was at that time who previously asked what person “Abimelech” was that he and the people of “Shechem” ought to labor and work on his behalf. 

The verse continues, “is not this the people that you have despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.” The writer added the words, “is not this the people” which means “does this not exist as the human beings” “that you have despised” or “whom you, Gaal, have rejected, refused and disdained”? “Go out, I pray now” which means “depart, proceed and bear forward, I, Zebul, plead, entreat and exhort at this time” “and fight with them” or “and do battle and war with them, the people of Shechem”. The writer shared how “Zebul” challenged “Gaal” to proceed forward and do battle with the people whom he previously rejected and disdained. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how the “Zebul” confronted “Gaal” with his previously spoken words and treatment of the people of “Shechem”. Now it was time for him to act upon his thoughts and declarations. Step by step the will of Jehovah God was being fulfilled, and in like manner, when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected 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 know when He is working His plan behind the scenes and fulfilling it according to His will. (See John 3:16; Philippians 1:6; 2:13)

Next time we learn how, “Gaal went out before the men of 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".

Gaal Speaks Again - Judges 9:37

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-seven of Judges, we learn how “Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land” where we read,

And Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, 

and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

The verse reads, “And Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, …” The writer began with the words, “and Gaal” whose name means “loathing” and was the “son of Eved or Ebed who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech” “spoke again and said” which means “uttered and declared another time and proclaimed”, “see there come people” or “behold, lo and look there are human beings descending and marching” “down by the middle of the land” which means “in a declining and descending manner beside the center and midst pertaining to the territory and region”. The writer shared how “Gaal” made another declaration and proclaimed that they should look to observe human beings who descended in the midst of the territory and region.

The verse goes on to say, “… and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.” The writer continued with the words, “and another company” which means “and one other group of human being” “came along” or “entered and were enumerated” “by the plain of Meonenim” which means “through the belonging to Meonenim whose name means ‘appear, practice, or spiritism, soothsaying or magic’ ”. The writer shared how “Gaal” recognized one other group of people who were proceeding into the city of Shechem beside the great terebinth tree belonging to Meonenim”. The writer shared how “Gaal” noticed one other group who was proceeding toward the city of “Shechem” by the terebinth tree belonging to “Meonenim”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how there were people who were descending upon the town of “Shechem”, and we shall see what happens with them in our next verses. For now let us understand that all these people and events were being overseen by Jehovah God who dispatched and “evil spirit” to cause a rift and division between “Abimelech” and “Shechem”. (See Judges 9:23) God wants to have a personal relationship with every person 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 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 equip us to live in keeping with His purpose and plan for our lives. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Revelation 4:11) 

Next time we learn, “then said Zebul unto him, Where is now your mouth?”, 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". 

When Gaal Saw the People - Judges 9:36

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-six of Judges, we learn, “when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains” where we read,

And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, you see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

The verse reads, “And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains.” The writer began with the words, “and when Gaal” which means “and at the time and moment Gaal whose name means ‘loathing’ and was the son of Eved or Ebed who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech” “saw the people” which means “notice, observed and perceived the human beings”, “he said to Zebul” or “he, Gaal, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Zebul whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the chief man of the city of Shechem at the time of the contest between Abimelech and the native Canaanites”, “Behold, there were come people down” or “lo, look and consider there existed human beings descending and proceeding in a downward direction” “from the top of the mountains” which means “separate and apart from the summit, chief and upper part of the risings above the plains”. The writer shared how “Gaal” noticed the human beings and he declared to “Zebul” how he observed them descending from the summit of the rising above the plains. 

The verse continues, “And Zebul said unto him, you see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” The writer added the words “and Zebul” whose name means “exalted’” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to him, Gaal”, “you see the shadow of the mountains” which means “you, Gaal, notice, observe and perceive the shades” “as if they were men” or “similar and in likeness to whether and in case they, the shades of the mountains, existed as male human beings”. The writer shared how “Zebul” told “Gaal” that the shades on the hilltops looked like they were male human beings. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how “Gaal” observed what he believed were human beings descending from the hilltops, and he told “Zebul” the same. “Zebul” told him that they were only shades upon the mountain sides, and we shall see how the truth comes out in our next verses. For now, let us keep in mind that Jehovah God was involved in these workings, and because He was going to rescue Israel from these people, He would accomplish His will. God is purposed to save us from the oppression of sin and death, and when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose 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 help us to always know He is working out His plan and our part is to trust in Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:9)

Next time we learn, “Gaal spoke again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land", 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".

Gaal Stands in the Gate - Judges 9:35

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-five of Judges, we learn how “Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city” where we read,

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city:

 and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

The verse reads, “And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city:” The writer began with the words, “and Gaal” whose name means “loathing” and was the “son of Eved or Ebed who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech” “the son of Ebed went out” which means “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Ebed whose name means ‘servant’ and was the “father of Gaal in the time of the judges”, “and stood in the entering of the gate” or “and remained and took their stand within the entrance and opening belonging to the opening or door” “of the city” which means “pertaining to the habitation, dwelling place and abode”. The writer shared how “Gaal” who was “Ebed’s son departed and made a stand within the opening belonging to the town of “Shechem”. 

The verse goes on to say, “and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.” The writer continued with the words “and Abimelech rose up” which means “and Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of the concubine of Gideon” arose and stood up, “and the people that were with him” or “and the human beings who existed alongside and accompanied him, Abimelech”, “from lying in wait” which means “separate from their lurking in ambush”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” alongside the human being who accompanied him from arose their lurking within ambush. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Zebul’s” plan was carried out by “Abimelech” and those who were alongside him, and at the time and moment “Gaal” made his stand within the opening of the dwelling place of “Shechem”, Abimelech arose along with the people with him from their lurking place of ambush. Just as they planned, they were carrying out their details to fight for their cause. In like manner people do the same today, and when we read the Bible we understand that Jehovah God had a plan for the redemption of mankind from their sins. He sent His Son into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days so when we believe 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 give us His understanding concerning His plans and purposes for our lives. (See Jeremiah 29:12)

Next time we learn, “when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains", 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".

Abimelech and the People Rise Up - Judges 9:34

In the book of Judges we learned how Gaal said of Israel, “would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase your  army, and come out. And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against you. Now therefore up by night, you and the people that is with you, and lie in wait in the field. And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-four of Judges, we learn how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night" where we read,

And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, 

and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

The verse reads, “And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, …” The writer began with the words, “and Abimelech rose up” which means “and Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by his concubine, got up and arose”, “and all the people that were with him” which means “and each, the whole and everyone of the human beings who existed alongside of him, Abimelech”, “by night” or “within the nighttime”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” and every one of the human beings who accompanied him got up alongside him within the nighttime. 

The verse continues, “… and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.” The writer added the words “and they laid wait” which means “and they, Abimelech and the people alongside him, lurked in ambush” “against Shechem” or “in opposition 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” “in four companies” which means “within four choice, chief and best divisions”. The writer shared how “Abimelech” and the people with him lurked in ambush within four choice divisions. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Abimelech” and the men with him followed the direction of “Zebul” and were lurking in ambush for “Gaal and the men who accompanied him” within four chief divisions. The plan of “Zebul” was being fulfilled, and although he and all those involved were unaware, God was in control of this situation. God loves people, and even when they make plans that are in opposition to each other, He still 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 put our faith 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 to understand how to rely upon Him even when others seem to have their plans working out as they desire. (See Proverbs 3:5-6; 16:9)

Next time we learn how, “Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of 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".