Gideon Going by Those Who Dwell in Tents - Judges 8:11

In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “went up there to Penuel, and spoke unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him. And he spoke also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower. Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword”, and in chapter eight and verse eleven of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents” where we read,

And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

The verse reads, “And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, …” The writer began with the words, “and Gideon went up” which means “and Gideon whose name means ‘hewer’ ascended” “by the way of them” or “through the means pertaining to the people”  “that dwelt in tents” which means “who inhabited, abode and lived within temporary and transient dwelling places” “on the east of Nobah” or “upon the eastern direction belonging to Nobah whose name means ‘barking’ and was a place in Gilead which comprised the towns of Kenath and its surrounding villages captured by one above and renamed after himself; the area eventually regained its original identity” “and Jogbelah” whose name means ‘lofty’ and was “one of the cities east of the Jordan which was built and fortified by the tribe of Gad”. The writer shared how “Gideon” ascended through the people who lived within temporary dwelling place upon the eastern direction belonging to “Nobah and Jogbehah”. 

The verse continues, “… and smote the host: for the host was secure.” The writer added the words, “and smote the host” which means “and struck, beat, hit and killed the armed company or army”: “for the host was secure” which means “because, since and on account that the armed company or army existed as feeling safe and sure”. The writer shared how the army of the “Midianites” was feeling secure, however, “Gideon” struck and killed them anyway. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” continued to pursue the army of the “Midianites”, and although they thought themselves secure with “Nobah and Jogbehah” in the eastern direction, those living in “tents” were not secure at all. God was with “Gideon”, and there was no where His enemies could hide and be safe. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the dead after three days, and when we yield 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 equip us to live with our “security” in Him and no one else. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Psalm 46:1; 91:2)

Next time we learn, “when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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