In the book of Judges we learned how Gideon, “came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread unto your men that are weary? And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth”, and in chapter eight and verse seventeen of Judges, we learn how Gideon, “beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city” where we read,
And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
The verse reads, “And he beat down the tower of Penuel, …” The writer began with the words, “and he beat down” which means “and he, Gideon, tore down and destroyed” “the tower of Penuel” or “the elevated stage or pulpit belonging to Penuel whose name means ‘facing God’ and was the place named by Jacob when he wrestled with God and located on the north bank of the Jabbok close to the Jordan”. The writer shared how “Gideon” destroyed the raised pulpit within “Penuel” even as he told them he would.
The verse continues, “… and slew the men of the city.” The writer added the words, “and slew the men” which means “and beat, hit, struck and killed the male human beings” “of the city” which means “belonging to the abode, dwelling place and habitation of Penuel”. The writer shared how “Gideon” also killed the male human beings belonging to “Penuel”.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gabriel” kept his word with the men of “Penuel” concerning destroying their “tower” or elevated stage, and he also killed the men within dwelling place of “Penuel”. “Gideon” promised that he would return to them, and he did. (See Judges 8:9) God keeps His promises as well, and because He knows we shall face destruction and death because of our sins, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, and 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 empower us to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him so we have no need of punishment or destruction when our day of accountability comes. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)
Next time we learn how Gideon said, “unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor?”, 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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