Lie in Wait in the Field - Judges 9:32

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”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-two of Judges, we learn how Zebul told Abimelech “lie in wait in the field" where we read,

Now therefore up by night, you and the people that is with you, and lie in wait in the field:

The verse reads, “Now therefore up by night, you and the people that is with you, …” The writer began with the words, “now therefore up by night” which means “wherefore, then and on this account rise up within the nighttime”, “you and the people” which means “you, Abimelech and the human beings” “that is with you” or “who are alongside and accompanying you, Abimelech”. The writer shared how “Zebul” instructed “Abimelech” and the human beings who accompanied him to do the following. 

The verse continues, “… and lie in wait in the field:” The writer added the words “and lie in wait” which means “and wait or lurk in ambush” “in the field” or “within the land, cultivated ground or countryside”. The writer shared how “Zebul” told “Abimelech” to lurk in an ambush within the territory or cultivated land. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Zebul” devised a plan to rise up against “Gaal” and the people of “Shechem” who were aligned with him. “Zebul” secretly told “Abimelech” about “Gaal and his brothers” rising up against him, and he instructed “Abimelech” to wait in ambush for them when he arrived. God was aware of all these acts and deeds as he sent the “evil spirit” that came between “Abimelech and Shechem” (See Judges 9:23), and He knows what happens in our lives as well,. When we surrender 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 give us His holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and direct us in that which He desires to do among us and other people in the world. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8)

Next time we learn how Zebul told Abimelech, “in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early", 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".