Liers in Wait - Judges 9:25

In the book of Judges we learned, “When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-five of Judges, we learn how “the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains” where we read,

And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, 

and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

The verse reads, “And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, …” The writer began with the words, “and the men of Shechem” which means “and on the male human beings belonging to Shechem whose name means “back or shoulder” “set liers in wait for him” which means “put, established and assigned lurking men and ambushes on behalf of him, Abimelech” “in the top of the mountains” or “within the summit, upper part, chief, height and principle part of the risings above the plain our mound”. The writer shared how the male human beings belonging to “Shechem” established ambushes for “Abimelech” within the chief and summit part of the risings above the plain. 

The verse continues, “… and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.” The writer added the words “and they robbed all that came along that way” which means “and they, the men of Shechem who were established in ambushes, seized, plundered and took away by force each, every and the whole of he people who traversed and made their journey  down that path beside them, the men of Shechem who were set in ambushes” “by them” or “through the means of them”: “and it was told Abimelech” which means “and it, that the men of Shechem setting up ambushes for him and robbing people, was uttered, declared and proclaimed to Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or father is king”. The writer shared how the “men of Shechem” who were established in ambushes for “Abimelech” plundered everyone who journeyed down the pathway they were set in, and this was declared to “Abimelech”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how there is trouble within the kingdom of “Abimelech”. The “men of Shechem” who chose him were now setting up ambushes  for him and plundering people who traveled upon their pathway. “Abimelech” has been informed at this point, and we shall see how he responds in our next verses. Let us be mindful that Jehovah God knew all these things were happening, and even though the people thought themselves to be in control, He was actually over all of it. God loves the people of Israel, and He is their defense. He loves us, and He is our defense as well. He proved His love to us when 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 “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 keep us under His protection and provision so we never stray from Him. (See John 3:16; Isaiah 41:10)

Next time we learn how, “Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren”, 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".