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".
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