Under My Hand - Judges 9:29

In the book of Judges we learned how concerning Abimelech that, “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. And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-nine of Judges, we learn how Gaal said, “would to God this people were under my hand" where we read,

And 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.

The verse reads, “And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech.” The writer began with the words, “and would to God” which means “and Oh to the Supreme Deity that” “this people were under my hand” which means “these human beings existed beneath my, Gaal’s, power, might, strength and authority”! “Then would I remove Abimelech” or “at that time I, Gaal, would with certainty turn aside, depose and put away Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’ and was the son of Gideon by a concubine”. The writer shared how “Gaal” passionately desired to rule over the people of “Shechem” because he said he would certainly depose “Abimelech” from his position as king. 

The verse goes on to say, “And he said to Abimelech, Increase your army, and come out.” The writer continued with the words “and he said to Abimelech” which means “and he, Gaal, declared and proclaimed to Abimelech whose name means ‘Melek is father or my father is king’”, “increase your army” or “make numerous, abundant and multiplied your, Abimelech’s, host of battling and wartime men”, “and come out” which means “and go forth, depart and exit”. The writer shared how “Gaal” challenged “Abimelech” to multiply the warriors in his battle host and proceed toward him to fight. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how “Gaal” desired to be the leader over the “men of Shechem”, and he vowed to rid the men of “Shechem” of “Abimelech” if he ruled over them by challenging “Abimelech” to make more numerous his “army” and to proceed toward him to fight. What desperation this was. God was aware of all these plans of men, and because He knows what is in everyone’s heart and mind, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and equip us to live with Him as our Ultimate authority regardless of who rules among men. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 45:5; Romans 13:1)

Next time we learn what happened, “when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal", 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".