You Slew My Brothers - Judges 8:19

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 he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king”, and in chapter eight and verse nineteen of Judges, we learn how Gideon said, “they were my brethren, even the sons of my mother” where we read,

And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: 

as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you.

The verse reads, “And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother:” The writer began with the words, “and he said” which means “and he, Gideon, uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “they were my brethren” or “they, the men killed, existed as my, Gideon’s, brothers of the same mother”, “even the sons of my mother” which means “also and indeed the male offspring belonging to my, Gideon’s, immediate female progenitor or ancestor”. The writer shared how “Gideon” told “Zebah and Zalmunna”, the two kings of “Midian”, that they killed his brothers who were the male offspring belonging to his immediate female progenitor. 

The verse goes on to say, “as the LORD lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not slay you.” The writer continued with the words, “as the LORD lives” which means “indeed since Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God”, “if you had saved them alive” which means “whether and in case you, Zebah and Zalmunna, kept, sustained and allowed them, Gideon’s brothers, to remain and continue living”, “I would not slay you” or “I, Gideon, would in no way kill, murder ad destroy you, Zebah and Zalmunna”. The writer shared how “Gideon” took an oath by Jehovah God living that whether “Zehab and Zalmunna” had allowed his brother to remain alive, he would not take their lives.

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover that the two kings of “Midian”, “Zebah and Zalmunna", killed the “brothers” of “Gideon”. “Gideon” told the two kings that even as Jehovah God remains alive if they had allowed his brothers to live, he would not kill them. But they did not. We shall see what “Gideon” does with these “kings” in our next few verses, but for now, let us be mindful that there is a time when people will give an account for their acts, words and deeds. (See Hebrews 9:27) Because we all have sins and errors in our lives, Jehovah God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He rose from the dead after three days and made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will assure us that Jesus paid the price for the consequences of our sins and we have no need to worry about a day of reckoning. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them”, 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".

What Manner of Men Did You Slay? - Judges 8:18

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 he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city”, and in chapter eight and verse eighteen of Judges, we learn how Gideon said, “unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor?” where we read,

Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor? And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.

The verse reads, “Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom you slew at Tabor?” The writer began with the words, “then said he unto Zebah” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed he, Gideon, to Zebah whose name means ‘deprived of protection’ and was one of the two kings of Midian who commanded the great invasion of Palestine and finally were defeated by Gideon” “and Zalmunna” whose name means “deprived of protection” and was “a Midianite king slain by Gideon”, “what manner of men were they” which means “who were the male human beings” “whom you slew at Tabor” or “that you, Zebah and Zalmunna, killed, murdered and destroyed in the mountain of Tabor whose name means ‘mound’ and was located “in the plain of Esdraelon rising abruptly and insulated except for a narrow ridge on the west connecting it to the hills of Nazareth”? The writer shared how “Gideon” asked “Zebah and Zalmunna” who the ‘male human beings” were that they killed in mount “Tabor”. 

The verse continues, “And they answered, As you are, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.” The writer added the words, “And they answered,” which means “and they, Zebah and Zalmunna, responded and gave the reply”, “As you are” which means “similar and in likeness to you, Gideon”, “so were they” or “even and indeed existed they, the men whom Zebah and Zalmunna, killed”; “each one resembled” which means “every, the whole and all of the men had the shape, form, figure and appearance like” “the children of a king” or “the offspring and progeny belonging to a royal ruler or leader”. The writer shared how “Zebah and Zalmunna” responded to “Gideon’s” question by telling him that the “men” that were killed had a shape and appearance like unto to him because they were similar to the offspring of a royal ruler. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” was interested in what the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, would say to his question concerning the “men” they killed in mount “Tabor”. Their answer was that the men they killed were similar to “Gideon” and like the offspring belonging to a royal leader. We shall see how “Gideon” responds to their answer in our next verse, but for now let us consider that “Gideon” was being wise in his interrogation of these “two kings of Midian”. God was with “Gideon” because he was obedient to God’s direction. God will be with us as well when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and help us to remember “vengeance is” His and He “will repay”. (See Isaiah 63:4; Romans 12:19)

Next time we learn how Gideon said, “they were my brethren, even the sons of my mother”, 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".

Penuel Beat Down - Judges 8:17

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".

Teaching the Men of Succoth - Judges 8:16

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 in chapter eight and verse sixteen of Judges, we learn how Gideon, “taught the men of Succoth” where we read,

And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, 

and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

The verse reads, “And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, …” The writer began with the words, “and he took the elders of the city” which means “and he, Gideon, fetched, lay hold of and seized the ancient and older men pertaining to the dwelling place, habitation and abode belonging to Succoth”, “and thorns of the wilderness” or “and pricking thorn bushes belonging to the uninhabited land, pasture and desert”  “and briers” which means “and prickly burning bright briars”. The writer shared how “Gideon” lay hold of the ancient and older men of “Succoth” and fetched prickly thorn bushes and briars from the desert and did the following with them.

The verse goes on to say, “… and with them he taught the men of Succoth.” The writer continued with the words, “and with them” which means “and alongside and accompanying them, the thorns of the wilderness and briers” “he taught the men of Succoth” which means “he, Gideon, punished and instructed the male human beings belonging to Succoth whose name means ‘booths” and was “the site where Jacob put up booths for his cattle and built a house for himself; apparently east of the Jordan near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and later allotted to the tribe of Gad”. The writer shared how “Gideon” used the “thorns and briars” from the desert to punish and give instruction to the ancient males within “Succoth”. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” kept his word concerning the people of “Succoth”. He told them he would return after capturing the two kings of Midian,”Zebah and Zalmunna”, and he would beat them with the “thorns and briars” of the wilderness because they would not feed the three hundred men who accompanied him. (See Judges 8:7) This was the day of reckoning for the men of “Succoth”, and “Gideon” punished them as he said he would. God knows about our day of accountability, (See Hebrews 9:27) and because we have sin in our lives, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and teach us the value of being used by Him whenever the opportunity arises as His grace prepares us for the day when we shall give an account to Him. (See John 3:16: Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city”, 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".

Behold Zebah and Zalmuuna - Judges 8:15

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up. And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men”, and in chapter eight and verse fifteen of Judges, we learn how Gideon, “came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna” where we read,

And he 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?

The verse reads, “And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom you did upbraid me, saying, …” The writer began with the words, “and he came unto the men of Succoth” which means “and he, Gideon, attained, entered and was enumerated with the male human beings belonging to Succoth whose name means ‘booths’ and was the site where Jacob put up booths for his cattle and built a house for himself; apparently east of the Jordan near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and later allotted to the tribe of Gad”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed”,  “Behold Zebah” which means “lo, look and consider Zebah whose name means ‘deprived of protection’ and was one of the two kings of Midian who commanded the great invasion of Palestine and finally were defeated by Gideon” “and Zalmunna” whose name means “deprived of protection”, “with whom you did upbraid me” or “that you, the people of Succoth, used to reproach, taunt, blaspheme and defy me, Gideon”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. The writer shared how “Gideon” presented “Zebah and Zalumunna” the two kings of Midia to the male human beings belonging to “Succoth”, and he reminded them that these were the men with whom they defied him.

The verse continues, “… are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread unto your men that are weary?” The writer added the words, “and the hands of Zebah” which means “and the power, might and strength belonging to Zebah whose name means ‘deprived of protection’” “and Zalmunna” whose name means “deprived of protection” “now in your hand” or “at this time within your, Gideon’s, power, might and authority”, “that we should give bread unto your men” which means “so we, the people of Succoth, might give food or loaves of grain ” “that are weary” or “who exists as tired, fatigued and faint”. The writer shared how “Gideon” reminded the people of Succoth of the way they demanded that “Zebah and Zalmunna” be captured and seized by him and his men in advance of them even though they were fatigued and faint.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” reminded the people of “Succoth” of how they refused to feed him and his three hundred men until they captured the two rulers of the “Midianites”, “Zebah and Zalmunna”. Now that these two rulers were seized by “Gideon” and his men, the time of accountability had come. God knows we all have a time of judgment ahead of us, (See Hebrews 9:27) and we can be prepared for that time when we receive His Son Jesus as our personal “Savior and Lord” who died upon the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and prepare us for our day of accountability by means of His grace and mercy. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “taught the men of Succoth”, 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". 

Catching a Young Man of Succoth - Judges 8:14

In the book of Judges we learned how, “Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up”, and in chapter eight and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how Gideon, “caught a young man of the men of Succoth” where we read,

And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.

The verse reads, “And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him:” The writer began with the words, “and caught a young man” which means “and took, seized and captured a youthful male human being” “of the men of Succoth” or “pertaining to the male human beings belonging to Succoth whose name means ‘booths’ and was the site where Jacob put up booths for his cattle and built a house for himself; apparently east of the Jordan near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and later allotted to the tribe of Gad”, “and enquired of him” which means “and asked, consulted, requested and demanded from him, the young man of Succoth” the following information. The writer shared how “Gideon” seized a youthful male who was from “Succoth” and asked him for the following information. 

The verse goes on to say, “and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.” The writer continued with the words, “and he described unto him” which means “and he, the youthful male from Succoth, wrote, inscribed and engraved to him, Gideon” “the princes of Succoth” which means “belonging to Succoth whose name means ‘booths’ and was the site where Jacob put up booths for his cattle and built a house for himself; apparently east of the Jordan near the ford of the torrent Jabbok and later allotted to the tribe of Gad”, “and the elders thereof” or “and the older and ancient men belonging to Succoth”, “even threescore and seventeen men” which means “also and indeed seventy seven male human beings”. The writer shared how the youthful male of “Succoth” told “Gideon” who the ancient males were who belonging to “Succoth” which included seventy seven males.

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how “Gideon” seized a youthful male from “Succoth” and desired to know the names of the ancient “men” who lived in “Succoth”, and he wrote down the names of seventy seven of them. We are reminded that these “elders” would not give provisions to the three hundred men who accompanied “Gideon”, and “Gideon” told them when he came back from capturing “Zebah and Zalmunna”, the two rulers and leaders of “Midian”, he would beat them with the thorns and briars of the wilderness. (See Judges 8:7) We can imagine what was on “Gideon’s” mind. There is a day of accounting for all of us, (Hebrews 9:27) and when we yield our lives to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and allow Him to take vengeance upon all who rise up in opposition to us. (See John 3:16; Acts 1:8; Romans 12:19)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna”, 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".

Gideon Returned from Battle - Judges 8:13

In the book of Judges we learned about Gideon, “when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host”, and in chapter eight and verse thirteen of Judges, we learn how, “Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle” where we read,

And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,

The verse reads, “And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle …” The writer began with the words, “and Gideon” whose name means ‘hewer’ and was “of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites” “the son of Joash” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Joash whose name means ‘given by the Lord’ and was the father of Gideon”  “returned from battle” which means “turned and came back from the fighting and war”. The writer shared how “Joash’s” male progeny named “Gideon” came back from the fighting and war against the “Midianites”. 

The verse continues, “… before the sun was up,” The writer added the word, “before the sun” which means “in advance and prior to the sun in the sky” “was up” which means “rising or appearing”. The writer shared how “Gideon” came back prior to the “sun” in the sky rising. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we discover how “Gideon” came back from the fighting and war in advance of the “sun” in the sky rising. The main battle was over, and it was time to go back to the place from which he started. There is a time and place for fulfilling everything that God desires for our lives, and that journey begins when we receive His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and rose from the grave after three days as our “Savior and Lord”. As we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the ability to know when to do battle and when to return home after our conquests. (See John 3:16; Romans 8:37)

Next time we learn how Gideon, “caught a young man of the men of Succoth”, 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".