What Have I Done Now In Comparison? - Judges 8:2

In the book of Judges we learned concerning Gideon how, “the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why have you served us thus, that you called us not, when you went to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply”, and in chapter eight and verse two of Judges, we learn how Gideon asked the men of Ephraim, “What have I done now in comparison of you?” where we read,

And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? 

Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

The verse reads, “And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you?” The writer began with the words, “and he said unto him” which means “and he, Gideon, uttered, declared, proclaimed to and asked them, the men of Ephraim”, “what have I done now” or “have I, Gideon, accomplished, performed and produced at this time” “in comparison of you” whose name means “in estimation pertaining to you, the men of Ephraim”? The writer shared how “Gideon” asked of that which he had done that was equivalent or more than the “men of Ephraim”. 

The verse goes on to say, “Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?” The writer continued with the words, “is not the gleaning of the grape of Ephraim” which means “is the following not true that the going over and extracting of the fruit of the vine known as grapes the second time belonging to “Ephraim” whose name means ‘double ash-heap or I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was the second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over his first son, Manasseh” “better than the vintage of Abiezer” which means “more pleasant and agreeable compared to the grape crop belonging to Abiezer whose name means ‘my father is help’ and was a Manassite, called "son" of Gilead, also son of Gilead's sister”? The writer shared how “Gideon” asked the “men of Ephraim” whether the second extracting of the fruit of the vine known as “grapes” in “Ephraim” exceeded the grape crop that belonged to “Abiezer”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” responded to the “men of Eprhaim’s” complaint about not calling them for help with the “Midianites” by comparing the harvesting of the grape crop of his family to the second harvesting of the “grapes” of “Ephraim”. The idea was that the second harvesting of “Ephraim” was greater than the first of “Abiezer”. In other words, there was no comparison as to how much the “men of Ephraim” did to his work. God is always at work in the world to bring people His salvation through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. He uses some people to great capacities, and others to small, but all the work is necessary. Paul the apostle wrote, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12, and this tells us we all have work to do. When we submit to Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we live according to whatever capacity He desires for our lives. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Next time we learn how Gideon tells the people of Ephraim, “God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian”, 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".