Rise Up Early - Judges 9:33

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. Now therefore up by night, you and the people that is with you, and lie in wait in the field”, and in chapter nine and verse thirty-three of Judges, we learn how Zebul told Abimelech “in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early" where we read,

And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.

The verse reads, “And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early, and set upon the city:” The writer began with the words, “and it shall be” which means “and the following shall happen and occur”, “that in the morning” which means “that within the early part of the day or at dawn”, “as soon as as the sun is up” or “at the moment the sun in the sky has come up”, “you shall rise early” which means “you, Abimelech, will make an early start”, “and set upon the city” or “and invade, dash upon or raid the habitation, abode and dwelling place”. The writer shared how “Zebul” told “Abimelech” within the start of the day or at sunrise, he was to make an early start and invade the town of “Shechem”.

The verse goes on to say, “and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.” The writer added the words “and, behold” which means “and lo, look and consider”, “when he and the people that is with him” or “and at the time and moment he, Gaal, and the human beings who are alongside and accompany him, Gaal” “come out against you” which means “exit, go forth and arise in opposition to you, Abimelech”, “then may you do to them” or “at that time shall you, Abimelech, fashion, accomplish and work toward them, Gaal and the human beings with him” “as you shall find occasion” which means “similar and in like manner that you, Abimelech, desire”. The writer shared how “Zebul” told “Abimelech” to consider that at the time and moment the human beings who accompany “Gaal” go forth that he would be able to do whatever he desires with them.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Zebul” gave “Abimelech” a plan for addressing the threat of “Gaal” and the people who accompanied him. This plan involved getting up at sunrise and preparing himself to attack them. God knew these divisive things were going to happen, and although these people believed themselves to be in charge, God was watching all these events. God knows the acts and deeds of mankind, and when we yield 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 provide us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the understanding that He is in control in the spiritual world even though men make their plans and act upon them. (See Ephesians 6:12)

Next time we learn how, “Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night", 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".