Gideon Built an Altar - Judges 6:26

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take your father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-six of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon built an altar” where we read,

And build an altar unto the LORD your God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, 

and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which you shall cut down.

The verse reads, “And build an altar unto the LORD your God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, …” The writer began with the words, “and build an alter” which means “and erect and construct a place for sacrificial slaughter and worship” “unto the LORD your God” or “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God your, Gideon’s, Supreme Deity” “upon the top of this rock” which means “on the upper part and height belonging to this cliff, crag or stone”, “in the ordered place” or “within the location of rank and row”. The writer shared how “Gideon” was told to construct a sacrificial slaughter place to worship Jehovah God his Supreme Deity on the upper part of the stone within ranks and rows.

The verse continues, “… and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which you shall cut down.” The writer added the words, “and take the second bullock” which means “and fetch, lay hold of, seize and acquire the second bull, cattle or steer”, “and offer a burnt sacrifice” or “and ascend with the slaughter and burn it” “with the wood of the grove”  which means “alongside and accompanying the timber, planks, stalks and sticks belonging to the ‘Ashera’ which were used for idol worship” “which you shall cut down” or “that you, Gideon, will hew, cut off and eliminate”. The writer shared how Gideon was instructed to lay hold of the “second” bull, slaughter it and burn the meat with the trees that were in the place of idol worship.  

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” was instructed to erect a place for a sacrifice of worship to Jehovah God on the stone in their presence. He was to lay the parts in rows and fetch the “second” bull and burn it with the “wood” from the trees that were in the place where idol worship was carried out. God desires a “sacrifice” of our lives to Him because He gave His Son Jesus who was the living sacrifice for the sins of all mankind when He died on the cross. He rose from the dead after three days, and when we surrender our live 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 teach us the value of the “sacrifice of worship” as we serve Him in this world. (See John 3:16; Hebrews 13:15)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said”, 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".

Throw Down the Altar of Baal - Judges 6:25

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn howJehovah God tells Gideon, “throw down the altar of Baal that your father has” where we read,

And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take your father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it:

The verse reads, “And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take your father's young bullock, …” The writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and the following occurred or happened” “the same night” or “that selfsame evening or nighttime”, “that the LORD” which means “that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to him, Gideon”, “take now your father’s young bullock” which means “seize, your, Gideon’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor’s, youthful bull, head of cattle or cow”. The writer shared how Jehovah God instructed “Gideon” to fetch his father’s “bull” and do the following with it.

The verse goes on to say, “even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it.” The writer continued with the words, “even the second bullock” which means “also and indeed the second bull, head of cattle or cow” “of seven years old” or “that was seven annual sets of days in age” “and throw down the altar” “and cast, the sacrificial worship place” “of Baal” which means “belonging to Baal whose name means ‘lord’ and was the supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites”, “that your father has” or “that your, Gideon’s, immediate male progenitor and ancestor owns and possesses”, “and cut down the grove” which means “and cut off and eliminate the sacred trees or poles set up” “that is by it” or “that exists next to and beside the altar to Baal”. The writer shared how Jehovah God told “Gideon” to fetch a second bull that was seven “years of age”, and he was to cast down the sacrificial worship place that his father set up for “Baal” and the sacred trees that were near the altar.  

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God put “Gideon” into action after he realized he was in His presence. That very nighttime God told “Gideon” to fetch his father’s youthful bull and another bull that was seven years of age. “Gideon” was to tear down his “father’s” sacrificial place which was dedicated to “Baal” along with the garden of “sacred” trees that were beside it. God wanted the place of worship of this false god to be removed. God wants us to eliminate all the places of worship for false gods in our lives, and this is done when we yield ourselves to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. God will forgive our sins, grant us eternal life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth as we put our faith and trust in Him. Let all who read these words tear down their altars to false gods and worship Jehovah God who is the One and Only True God in the world. 

Next time we learn how, “Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said”, 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".

Gideon Built an Altar - Judges 6:24

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon brought an offering, “and the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto you; fear not: you shall not die.”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-four of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD” where we read,

Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom:

 unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

The verse reads, “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom:” The writer began with the words, “then Gideon” which means “at that time 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” “built an altar there” or “erected and constructed a sacrificial place of slaughter” “unto the LORD” which means “to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “and called it Jehovahshalom” or “it, the altar, Jehovahshalom whose name means the existing One who was complete, with prosperity, quiet and calm”. The writer shared how “Gideon” constructed a place of sacrificial slaughter to Jehovah God, and he named it “Jehovahshalom”. 

The verse continues, “unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” The writer added the words, “unto this day” which means “to that particular sunrise to sunset” “is yet in Ophrah” or “still exists within Ophrah whose name means ‘fawn’ and was a town of Benjamin approximately five miles (8kn) east of Bethl” “of the Abiezites” or “belonging to the Abiezites 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 the sacrificial “altar” constructed by “Gideon” remained in that location until that particular sunrise to sunset. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” responded to God’s words about him having no need to be afraid and to be calm by erecting a place of sacrifice or worship to Him. “Gideon” realized God was with Him, and we may do the same through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the ability to respond to Him with thanksgiving and worship because of who He is and what He has done for us. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Psalm 103:1)

Next time we learn how Jehovah God tells Gideon, “throw down the altar of Baal that your father has”, 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".

Peace Be Unto You - Judges 6:23

In the book of Judges we learned how an angel appeared to Gideon, “and Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-three of Judges, we learn how, “the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto you” where we read,

And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto you; fear not: you shall not die.

The verse reads, “And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto you;” The writer began with the word, “and the LORD” which means “and Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to him, Gideon”, “peace be unto you” which means “calm, quietness and tranquility be to you, Gideon”. The writer shared how Jehovah God told “Gideon” that tranquility and calm were directed to him.  

The verse goes on to say, “fear not: you shall not die.” The writer continued with the words, “fear not” or “do not be afraid or terrorized” “you” which means “you, Gideon” “shall not die” or “will in no way or manner be put to death, executed or become prematurely lifeless”. The writer shared how Jehovah God told “Gideon” not to be afraid because he would not be killed on account that he saw Him, and He pronounced “calm and tranquility” upon him.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Jehovah God knew that “Gideon” was troubled in His spirit when he realized God was talking with Him, and for this reason God gave Him assurance. In like manner, God wants us to have a personal intimate relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised 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 assure us with the “peace” of His presence that “to be absent from the body is to be with the LORD”. (See 2 Corinthians 5:6,8)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon built an altar there unto 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".

When Gideon Perceived - Judges 6:22

In the book of Judges we learned how an angel appeared to Gideon, “and Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-two of Judges, we learn what happened, “when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD” where we read,

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, 

Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

The verse reads, “And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, …” The writer began with the words, “and when Gideon perceived” which means “and at the time and moment 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, saw, considered and observed” “that he was an angel” or “and that he, Jehovah God’s, messenger or envoy” “of the LORD” which means “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”, “Gideon said” or “Gideon whose name means ‘hewer’ uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. The writer shared how “Gideon” understood that this was a messenger from Jehovah God, so he declared the following. 

The verse goes on to say, “… Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.” The writer continued with the words, “alas, O Lord GOD” which means “Oh! Ah! O master, the Supreme Deity”, “for because I have seen” or “since and on account that I, Gideon, have perceived and observed” “an angel of the LORD” which means “ a messenger or envoy belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “face to face” or “in person and within his countenance and presence”. The writer shared how “Gideon” realized he was encountering the countenance and presence of Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Gideon” discover e was in the presence of Jehovah God. Before that time, he was unaware, but when the flashing fire burned his offering, he was convinced. God wants to reveal Himself to all of us, and when we realize His commitment to us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He made the way 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 put our faith and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and show us over and over again how He is with us wherever we go. (See Matthew 28:20)

Next time we learn how, “the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto you”, 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".

The Angel Touching the Flesh and Cakes - Judges 6:21

In the book of Judges we learned how Jehovah God’s angel appeared to Gideon, “and Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-one of Judges, we learn how, “the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand” where we read,

Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

The verse reads, “Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes:” The writer began with the words, “then the angel of the LORD” which means “at that time the messenger and envoy belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and is the proper name of the One True God” “put forth” or “stretched out and extended” “the end of the staff” which means “the extremity and outskirt belonging to the support or walking stick” “that was in his hand” or “that was within his, the angel’s, physical hand”, “and touched the flesh” which means “and struck, reached and attained the meat of the young goat”, “and the unleavened cakes” or “and the bread made without leaven or yeast”. The writer shared how the messenger of Jehovah God extended the walking stick that was within his physical hand and reached the meat and bread made without yeast that was before him.

The verse continues, “and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.” The writer added the words, “and there rose up fire” which means “and there ascended and sprung up supernatural flames” “out of the rock” or “from the cliff, boulder or stone”, “and consumed the flesh” which means “and devoured, burned up and destroyed the meat from the young goat” “and the unleavened cakes” or “and the bread made without leaven or yeast”. The writer shared how supernatural flames ascended from the stone and devoured the meat from the young goat and the bread made without yeast. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God’s messenger responded to the offering of the young goat, broth and bread made without yeast that was presented by “Gideon”. He stretched out his walking stick, allowed the “end” of it to “touch” the offering, and immediately supernatural flames ascended from the stone they were laid upon. We shall see how “Gideon” responds to this event in our next verse but for now, let us be reminded that “Gideon” was in the presence of the One and Only “Supernatural” God. Jehovah God desires 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 dead after three days. When we surrender to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put within us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of the power of the “supernatural” over all our natural needs. (See John 3:16; Romans 4:21)

Next time we learn what happened, “when Gideon perceived that he was an angel 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".

 

Lay the Cakes Upon This Rock - Judges 6:20

In the book of Judges we learned how an angel appeared to Gideon, “and Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it”, and in chapter six and verse twenty of Judges, we learn how, “the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock” where we read,

And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, 

and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

The verse reads, “And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, …” The writer began with the words, “and the angel of God” which means “and the messenger or envoy belonging to the Supreme Deity” “said unto him” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to him, Gideon”, “take the flesh” which means “get, fetch and lay hold of the meat of the young goat” “and the unleavened cakes” or “and the bread made without leaven or yeast”. The writer shared how the messenger of the “Supreme Deity” told “Gideon” to lay hold of the meat of the young goat and the bread made without yeast and do the following with Him.

The verse goes on to say, “and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.” The writer continued with the words, “and lay them upon this rock” which means “and rest, settle and alight them, the meat and bread, on this cliff, crag or stone”, “and pour out the broth” or “and spill or shed the juice from the meat”. “And he did so” which means “and he, Gideon, fashioned, accomplished and produced what he was told”. The writer shared how the ‘angel of Jehovah God” instructed “Gideon” to place the meat and bread upon the stone before them and to spill out the juice from the meat, and “Gideon” did as he was told. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the messenger of Jehovah God told “Gideon” to put his meat and bread offering upon a stone in front of Him, and he was to spill forth the juice from the meat. “Gideon” complied, and this is one of the first step in relating to Jehovah God. Because He wants 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 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 to help us obey Him in all He asks us to do. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Genesis 27:8)

Next time we learn how, “the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand”, 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".