Messengers Sent - Judges 6:35

In the book of Judges we learned how, “all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him”, and in chapter six and verse thirty-five of Judges, we learn how Gideon,“sent messengers throughout all Manasseh” where we read,

And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

The verse reads, “And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him:” The writer began with the words, “and he sent messengers” whose name means “and he, Gideon, dispatched and assigned envoys, ambassadors and representatives” “throughout all Manasseh” or “to each, the whole and every part of Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”; “who also was gathered after him” which means “who even so and indeed were collected together and assembled beside him, Gideon”. The writer shared how “Gideon” dispatched representatives through every part of the territory that belonged to “Manasseh”, and the people from that area assembled themselves with him. 

The verse goes on to say, “and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.” The writer continued with the words, “and he sent messengers” which means “and he, Gideon, dispatched and assigned envoys, ambassadors and representatives” “unto Asher” or “to Asher whose name means ‘happy’ and was the son of Jacob and Zilpah and the progenitor of the tribe who descended from Asher”, “and unto Zebulun” which means “and to Zebulun whose name means ‘exalted’ and was the tenth of the sons of Jacob, sixth and last of Leah; progenitor of Zebulun”, “and unto Naphtali” or “and to Naphtali whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the sixth son of Jacob and the second by Bilhah the handmaid of Rachel and the progenitor of the tribe that descended fro him”; “and they came up” which means “and they, the people from Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali ascended and arose” “to meet them” or “to encounter and come up to him, Gideon and the others gather with him”. The writer shared shared how “Gideon” dispatched more representatives to “Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali”, and every one of them responded. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how ”Gideon” gathered together warriors to fight against the “Midianites, Amalekites and the people in the eastern direction”. God gave “Gideon” the wisdom and direction for assembling and army against the people of Israel’s hating foes, and He is aware that we have enemies against our souls that are attempting to keep us from a personal relationship with Him. God so loves us that He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised Him from the grave 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 put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to equip us to live in manner that is pleasing to Him as we work in His Kingdom. (See 3:16; 16:13; Acs 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how, “Gideon said unto God, If you will save Israel by my 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".