Judges 8:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Judges 8:1-12. For context, we’ll start at Judges 7:22. Let’s go!
Judges 7:22-25 (NIV)
22…The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath.
23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites.
24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.” So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they took the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah.
25 They also captured two of the Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, who was by the Jordan.
Judges 8:1-3 (NIV)
1 Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they criticized him sharply.
2 But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?
3 God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.
On 7:22b-8:3: Having routed the Midianites, Gideon calls on different tribes – Naphtali, Asher and Manasseh (7:23) to pursue the fleeing Midianites. Gideon also calls on the tribe of Ephraim to take possession of the Jordan River so that the Midianites cannot escape. In addition, the tribe of Ephraim captures and kills two Midianite leaders Oreb and Zeeb (7:25). Yet the Ephraimites were not happy with Gideon. They criticize Gideon for leaving them out when deciding who to send to fight the Midianites at first. Gideon responds wisely, saying that whatever he and his army had accomplished without the Ephraimites was nothing compared to what the Ephraimites were able to accomplish (v2-3). Gideon’s gentle and self-effacing answer was enough to appease the Ephraimites. It’s a reminder that “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1). When faced with hostility, may you have the wisdom to speak gently so as to minimize trouble for yourself and others.
Judges 8:4-12 (NIV)
4 Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.
5 He said to the men of Succoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
6 But the officials of Succoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?”
7 Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.”
8 From there he went up to Peniel and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Succoth had.
9 So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”
10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with a force of about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of the armies of the eastern peoples; a hundred and twenty thousand swordsmen had fallen.
11 Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and fell upon the unsuspecting army.
12 Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian, fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army.
On verses 4-12: Gideon and his 300 men continue their pursuit of the Midianites, in particular the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna. Exhausted, Gideon’s troops cross the Jordan River and arrive at the Israelite town of Succoth. Gideon asks the town of Succoth for bread for his troops (v5), but the leaders of Succoth reject his request. Their reason for rejecting Gideon seems to be because Gideon had not yet captured Zebah and Zalmunna (v6). Gideon receives a similar response from the Israelite town of Peniel (v8). Angry at how Succoth and Peniel refused to help, Gideon declares that after he has captured Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon will come back and tear the flesh of the leaders of Succoth with thorns and briers (v7), and he will tear down a tower in Peniel (v9). Gideon takes a route that Zebah and Zalmunna do not expect and is able to capture them (v11-12).
Gideon was called by God to save all of Israel, and yet the Israelite towns of Succoth and Peniel refused to help in Gideon’s mission. They only wanted to benefit from Gideon’s mission but not support it. How about you? Since the church is Jesus’ army and team, what is your attitude toward your church’s mission? Are you a consumer who only seeks to benefit from your church’s efforts, or are you a contributor who supports, serves and furthers your church’s mission? When it comes to God’s church, may you be a contributor and not just a consumer, a servant and not just a spectator, and an excellent team player who supports the church’s mission.
Holy Spirit, please fill me today, that wisdom and gentleness would characterize my speech. Please also help me to be someone who actively contributes and supports the mission of Your church, rather than being a consumer and spectator who only takes from Your church. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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