Judges 13:8

Judges 13:8 says, Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.  Manoah asked God to send the man of God, the angel, to them again to teach them what they should do to the child that was to be born.  It is a good thing for parents today to ask God for guidance in how to raise their children in accordance with His will.  Verse nine adds, And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.  God answered Manoah's request, and sent the angel to the woman again while she was in the field, but Manoah was not with her.  God may not always answer our prayers exactly the way we ask, but He will always answer them.  Verse ten continues, And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day.  The woman ran and got Manoah and told him the angel had appeared to her again.  As Christians, Jesus Christ has appeared to us spiritually and we need to make haste to share this good news with others, starting with our family.  Verse eleven states, And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am.  Manoah then hurried to the angel and asked him if he were the one that had spoken to his wife, and the angel said yes.  We need to make sure that it is God or His messengers who are speaking to us today, even the Holy Spirit.  We can never afford to allow what we want to become the truth of God, but must always make sure that it is really God’s Voice that we are hearing.  Verse twelve adds, And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him?  Manoah said to let what God said through the angel come to pass and asked what they needed to do to ensure this happened.  Children are a gift of God, and we as parents, especially Christian parents, need to seek His guidance how we raise our children.  Verse thirteen says, And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware.  Verse fourteen adds, She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.  The angel repeated his instructions to the woman so that Manoah could hear them, and then asked that Manoah made sure that she followed them.  We need to support one another in doing what God has instructed us to do.  Verse fifteen states, And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee.  Manoah asked the angel to stay with them until they had made a kid ready as an offering to him.  As followers of Christ, we should never attempt to keep those who are doing God's work from doing so.  Verse sixteen adds, And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the LORD.  The angel, whom Manoah still had not recognized as an angel, said even if they detained him, that he would not eat with them, and if they were offering a burnt offering, to offer it to the LORD and not to him. Some people today worship angels, but they should never be objects of worship.  They are God's messengers and warriors, doing what He sends them to do,  and we need to recognize this.  Verse seventeen states, And Manoah said unto the angel of the LORD, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour?  Manoah then asked the angel his name, so that when his sayings came to pass that they might honor him.  Sometimes, we as Christians can begin to exalt preachers and teachers almost as much as we do God, and this should never happen.  Verse eighteen adds, And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?  The angel asked Manoah why he wanted to know his name,since it was a secret.  It is possible that this was the case so that Manoah would not begin to worship him.  When God is at work in our life, we don't need to know every detail about how He is doing this. Verse nineteen continues, So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the LORD: and the angel did wondrously; and Manoah and his wife looked on.  Manoah then offered the kid to the LORD upon a rock, and the angel did wondrously as Manoah and his wife looked on.  We are not told what this wondrous thing was, nor does it really matter.  I believe that whatever it was, it was to allow Manoah to recognize that he was an angel and also to glorify God and not to bring glory to himself.

Judges 13:1'

Judges 13:1 says, And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.  Once again, the people of Israel did evil in God's sight, and once again He allowed them to be defeated by an enemy, this time the Philistines.  The Philistines ruled them for forty years.  If we turn away from God, we cannot expect Him to give us victory over our enemies for as long as we fail to follow Him.  Verse two adds, And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not.  We are then told of a man named Manoah, of the tribe of Dan, whose wife was barren.  Verse three continues, And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.  An angel of the LORD appeared Manoah's wife, telling here that even though she was barren now, that she was going to have a son.  As long as she believed this, I am sure this was great news.  The gospel is great news today, but we must believe it for it to do us any good.  Of course, since God said this was going to happen, it did not depend on whether she believed it or not, just as salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is an accomplished fact, whether we believe it or not.  Verse four states, Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing:  The woman was given specific instructions about some things she was to avoid while pregnant with this son she was going to have.  She was to avoid wine and strong drinks, and to not eat any unclean thing.  It is still good advice today for pregnant women to watch what they eat or drink from a physical perspective, but this was more of a spiritual perspective, though we really shouldn't attempt to separate the two.  Verse five adds, For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no rasor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.  She was told not to cut her son's hair, because he was to be a Nazarite to God from the time of his conception.  I believe that God has a purpose for everyone from the time they are conceived, and not just after they are are born and are grown, though we may not immediately know what that purpose is.  Her son's purpose was to deliver the people of Israel from the Philistines.  God did not choose a mighty warrior from Israel to be their delivere, but an unborn baby, just as an unborn Baby would one day be born to deliver all those who would put their faith in Him from the power and punishment of all sin.  Verse six continues, Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name:  Manoah's wife came and told him what had happened, and said that the angel would not tell her where he came from nor what his name was.  If God sends an angel speak to us today, his name and where he is from is not the important thing.  The fact that we know he is from God and the message that he has for us is what is important.  Verse seven concludes, But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.  She then shared the message that the angel gave her with Manoah, except for the part about their son beginning to deliver them from the Philistines. still with no proof that it was actually true.  We likewise need to share the good news, the gospel of Christ, with the world today, even if we can offer no physical proof that it is real.  

Judges 12:8

Judges 12:8 says, And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.  Verse nine adds, And he had thirty sons, and thirty daughters, whom he sent abroad, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. And he judged Israel seven years.  Verse ten continues, Then died Ibzan, and was buried at Bethlehem.  The next judge of Israel was Ibzan.  We are told very little about him, except that he had thirty sons and that he sent abroad and took thirty women from abroad as wives for his sons.  We are told he judged Israel for seven years and then he died and was buried in Bethlehem, where he was also born.  Though he only judged Israel for seven years, with as many sons and daughters as had, and having arranged their marriages, he must have lived a long life.  We may never know much about those whom God has placed in positions of leadership in the church today, but as long as they faithfully serve Him, that is all that really matters.  Verse eleven states, And after him Elon, a Zebulonite, judged Israel; and he judged Israel ten years.  Verse twelve adds, And Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun.  We are told even less about Elon, the next judge after Ibzan.  We are only told that he was from the tribe of Zebulun, that he judged Israel for ten years, died and was buried in Aijalon in Zebulun.  We do see that the judges came different tribes.  As Christians, we may be from different places or even different groups who worship together, but we are all called to witness for God and to uplift one another in prayer.  Verse thirteen says, And after him Abdon the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.  Verse fourteen adds, And he had forty sons and thirty nephews, that rode on threescore and ten ass colts: and he judged Israel eight years.  Verse fifteen continues, And Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite died, and was buried in Pirathon in the land of Ephraim, in the mount of the Amalekites.  After Elon, Abdon judged Israel for eight years.  Matthew Henry says he was of the tribe of Ephraim, who were now being restored to a place of service in Israel and that he judged as the Philistines were taking over Israel.   He had forty sons thirty nephews, which Matthew Henry says were actually grandsons, who rode on seventy ass colts, possibly traveling to help Abdon in judging Israel.  Even if we have sinned against God, as the people of Ephraim had, that does not mean that we cannot be restored to a place of service in God's kingdom.  Addon was buried there after he died.

Judges 12:1

Judges 12:1 says, And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire.  The men of Ephraim were angry that Jephthah did not call on them to go with him to fight the Ammonites.  They threatened to burn his house down with him in it, even though he had successfully defeated the Ammonites without them with God's help.  They had not sought God's guidance in this, but had simply had their egos hurt and were reacting to that.  We cannot allow our egos to guide us today, but must look to God for guidance as Christians.  We certainly shouldn't be angry because other Christians are being successful without our help.  Verse two adds, And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.  Jephthah replied that when he and his people were in grat distress he called on the people of Ephraim and they did not help them.  Verse three continues, And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?  Jephthah then said that when the people of Ephraim did not deliver him, he took matters into his own hands and by the power of God he was victorious over the Ammonites, and he then asked them why they were now coming up to fight against him.  We need to realize that when God gives a victory to other Christians, especially in a fight we choose not to participate in, that we need to celebrate with them and never need to be angry with them.  Verse four states, Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.  The men of Gilead then fought with the men of Ephraim, and were victorious.  This occurred in part because the men of Ephraim were declaring the men of Gilead to be less than they were and to be looked on with contempt.  Sometimes, Christians can allow their ego to cause them to look on other people the same way today.  Verse five adds, And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was so, that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;  After defeating the Ephraimites and taking control of the passage over the Jordan, some Ephraimites were still attempting to escape that way, and the Gileadites would ask if they were Ephraimites, and they would say no naturally.  They may have come with prideful threats against the Gileadites, but now they were reduced to lying about even being from Ephraim.  If we are confronted with a life or death situation as followers of Christ, would we deny being one?  Verse six continues, Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.  The Gileadites would ask the man to pronounce a particular word, which the Ephraimites were unable to pronounce successfully.   We might say that their accent got them killed.  Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed.  Verse seven concludes, And Jephthah judged Israel six years. Then died Jephthah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of he cities of Gilead.  Jephthah, though maybe not called by a devine proclamation, was the judge of Israel for six years, then he died.  God calls people by various ways to serve in their role in the church today, but in order to be successful, they must be called by Him and follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit. 

Judges 11:29

Judges 11:29 says, Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon.  By the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Jephthah passed through Gilead and Manasseh to Ammon.  Once Jephthah knew the people supported him and that God was with him, he wasted little time in setting out to engage in war with Ammon.  Once we know that the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something, it should not matter who does or does not support us, and we should waste little time in setting out to do it.  Verse thirty adds, And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,  Verse thirty-one continues, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.  Jephthah then made a vow based on if God delivered the Ammonites unto him, instead of just going forth in faith.  We need to be careful about believing that we need to promise something to God, other than our faithfulness, in oder for Him to give us success in what He calls us to do.  Jephthah promised whatever came out of his house first to greet him when he returned in victory that he would offer as a burnt offering to the LORD.  Verse thirty-two states, So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands.  Jephthah went into Ammon to fight the people there, but God is the One Who gave him success.  As followers of Christ today, when we engage in battle against the forces of evil, and we will, we need to do so under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, and if we do, God will give us the victory.  Verse thirty-three continues, And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel.  Jephthah defeated the people of Ammon in twenty of their cities, and they were subdued by the Israelites.  Verse thirty-four declares, And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter.  When Jephthah returned in victory, the first to come out of his house to greet him was his only child, his daughter.  She came to meet him with rejoicing, but Jephthah knew what this meant because of his vow to God.  We cannot just ignore vows that we make to God, no matter what it costs us, which is why we need to be careful about making vows hastily or to gain God's assurance of success.  Verse thirty-five adds, And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.  Jephthah tore his clothes in anguish and told his daughter that she had brought him low because of his vow to God.  At least he didn't try ignore the vow, but it was the vow and not his daughter that had brought him to situation.  We cannot ignore vows made to God just because we decide they will cost us too much.  Verse thirty-six continues, And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon.  His daughter told Jephthah that he had to honor his vow to God, because God had fulfilled His promise to him.  God has already fulfilled His promise of everlasting life to those who put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and we need to avoid bargaining with Him about being successful in doing His will in our life.  Verse thirty-seven concludes, And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.  His daughter said let this be done to her, but to give her two months to in the mountains with her female friends to mourn her fate.  True friends will be with us during the hard times and not just the good.  Verse thirty-eight says, And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.  Jephthah told her to go, and she did.  He had not vowed to immediately sacrifice what first came out of his door to meet him, so he really wasn't backing out on his vow.  Verse thirty nine adds, And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel,  When his daughter returned, Jephthah carried out his vow. Matthew Henry says some people think that Jephthah only gave his daughter up to be a nun, but this was not his vow.   If he carried out the vow by sacrificing his daughter on the altar, this was never something that God endorsed, but He did allow it.  We may make and carry out vows to God today based on a misunderstanding of Who He is, but this does not mean that God endorses our vow.  I don't believe that God will ever expect us to make and fulfill any vow that violates His laws.  Verse forty continues, That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year.  We are told that the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah for four days.  Matthew Henry says people have debated this passage for years, but that we really don't need to, because we know all that is necessary for salvation, and that is accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord. 

Judges 11:19

Judges 11:19 says, And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon; and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, through thy land into my place.  Jephthah said that the people of Israel then sent messengers to the Amorites and asked that they be allowed to pass through to the Promised Land.  Verse twenty adds, But Sihon trusted not Israel to pass through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought against Israel. Jephthah said that instead of allowing the Israelites to pass through that Sihon went to war against them.  Sometimes, what we as Christians choose to do today may not adversely effect non Christians, and yet they gather together and wage war against us.  Verse twenty-one concludes, And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.  Jephthah then said God delivered the Amorites into their hands and they defeated them by His power and possessed their land.  The Amorites started the war, and God ended it.  We as followers of Christ are always going to be at war with the world, but we should not start the war in order to benefit materially.  God has already defeated all our enemies spiritually if we remain faithful to Him.  Verse twenty-two states, And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.  Jephthah then said that after God gave them the victory that the people of Israel possessed the land of the Amorites, but not of other nations.  They were content with what God had given them, and so should we be today.  Verse twenty-three adds, So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?  Jephthah then asked if God had disposed the Amorites from the land and had given it to Israel, should the Ammonites now claim it.  Too often, people of the world today think that they should be able to take what God has given to His people, those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.  Even if we don't see that happening here, we hear about it happening throughout the rest of the world.  Verse twenty-four continues, Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the LORD our God shall drive out from before us, them will we possess.  Jephthah then asked the king of Ammon should he not be satisfied with what his god had provided for them without wanting to claim what Israel's God had provided for Israel.  Lost people today may put their faith in other gods, but too often they are not content to content with what these false gods provide for them.  Verse twenty-five says, And now art thou any thing better than Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab? did he ever strive against Israel, or did he ever fight against them,  Jephthah then asked the king of Ammon if he were better than the king of Moab, who never fought against Israel.  Verse twenty-six adds, While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye not recover them within that time?  Jephthah then asked since the Israelites claimed possession of the land three hundred years ago, why were the people of Ammon trying to claim the land now instead of all those years ago.  Today, the people of the world may want to go to war against Christians over things that have been accepted for decades or even centuries.  Verse twenty-seven continues, Wherefore I have not sinned against thee, but thou doest me wrong to war against me: the LORD the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel and the children of Ammon.  Jephthah said that he had done nothing wrong against the king of Ammon and asked that God, the only true God, be the judge between them.  Ultimately, in our war with the world today as followers of Christ, all we can do is leave everything up to God.  Verse twenty-eight concludes, Howbeit the king of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephthah which he sent him.  The king of the Amorites would not listen to the words of Jephthah, and the people of the world very often refuse to listen to the words of Christians today.   Of course, we must make sure that the words that we share with them are the truth of God,

Judges 11:12

Judges 11:12 says, And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?  Jephthah didn't immediately engage in war against the people of Ammon, but first sent a messenger to the king of Ammon, who is not identified, asking him why he was coming to fight against Israel in their land.  We should be quicker to reason with those who are against us as followers of Christ today and slower to go to war with them.  We will never reach the lost for Jesus Christ if we only want to destroy them.  Verse thirteen adds, And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably.  The king of Ammon sent a reply saying he was coming to fight against Israel because they had taken away his land.  The lost people of the world today may believe that by our following Christ in our everyday life that if He blesses us with material success that we are somehow taking something from them, but this not the truth.  Whatever God blesses us with was His to start with.  Verse fourteen states, And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon:  After receiving the reply from the king of Ammon, which was not the truth, Jephthah again sent messengers to him.  Jephthah may have been known as a wild man, but he was willing to continue to discuss the situation with the king of Ammon.  I believe this is because he was relying on God for guidance.  This is what we as Christians should do today as well.  Verse fifteen adds, And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:  Jephthah told the king of Ammon that the people of Israel did not take away any land from the people of Moab or Ammon.  If we are accused of taking away something that belongs to someone else as followers of Christ, we need to first make sure that isn't true, and then discuss things with them if at all possible.  Verse sixteen continues, But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red sea, and came to Kadesh;  Then, Jephthah told the king of Ammon what had really happened when the people of Israel left Egypt and came into the Promised Land.  If we are in conflict with someone today because thay feel that our relationship with God has somehow taken something from them, we can only share the truth of the gospel with them.  Verse seventeen says, Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh.  Jephthah said that during the exodus that the people of Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom and the king of Moab asking for the right to pass through, and they denied them that right, so the people of Israel abode at Kadesh.  They never demanded passage, but followed God's instructions concerning these nations.  However we react to those who seem to stand between what we want and us, we need to first make sure that God is leading us in how we act in the situation.  Verse eighteen adds, Then they went along through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the east side of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, but came not within the border of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.  Jephthah said that the people of Israel at that time went around the land of the Edom and Moab.  

Judges 11:1

Judges 11:1 says, Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah.  In answer to their question of who would lead them, God began to give them the answer.  Jephthah, the son of a harlot and Gilead, a very unlikely choice as a leader, was still known to be a mighty man of valor.  He was looked down on because of his parentage, as some people are today, though we as a society seem more and more willing to accept children born to parents who are not married as normal, though we do still tend to look down on those born to a prostitute.  We need to realize that children cannot control who their parents are.  Verse two adds, And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.  When Gilead and his wife had other sons and they grew up, they told Jephthah that he would never inherit from his father, because he was born of a stranger woman.  Matthew Henry says this might have meant his mother was a Gentile, but no matter who she was, the other children and Jephthah had the same father.  No matter who our birth parents are as Christians, we have the same heavenly Father, and are all equal in His sight.  Verse three continues, Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.  Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, where he gathered a band of what are called vain men.  This does not mean conceited, but a group of men who for whatever reason had nothing.  We today are spiritually without anything until we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse four states, And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel.  There came a time when the people of Ammon made war against Israel.  We can be certain that everyday the forces of Satan make war against Christians, though sometimes and in some places it is worse than others.  Verse five adds, And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob:  When the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Israel went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.  They might have consented to his being driven out earlier, but now that they needed him, they called for him to return.  We may sit in judgment of others, even our fellow Christians, until we need them for something today, but this should never be the case.  Verse six continues, And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.  The elders asked Jephthah to come be their captain so that they might fight against the Ammonites.  We are not told that they consulted God about this, and they evidently had little faith in God being able to deliver them.  If we are in a bad situation today as followers of Christ, we need to first look to God to see what He would have us to do, and not just blindly put our faith in someone until we do.  Verse seven asks, And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress?  Jephthah asked them some legitimate questions.  He asked if they were not the ones who drove him out of his father’s house, and why did they therefore come to him now.  Let's hope we never drive any Christian, who therefore has the same heavenly Father, out of our congregation, and if we do, let's hope we never have to go to them and ask for help.  They might view us the same way Jephthah viewed these elders of Israel.  Verse eight adds, And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.  The elders told Jephthah that they came to him asking that he lead them in the fight against the Ammonites.  They really didn't answer his question, but simply asked that he now, though rejected before, come back and be their leader in the fight against Ammon.  We have all rejected Jesus Christ at some point in life, but we will never be successful in our fight against sin and evil in the world until we ask Him to come into our heart as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse nine says, And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head?  Jephthah asked them if he returned, and the LORD delivered the people of Ammon to him, would they make him the head of Israel.  Of course, if we are victorious over sin today, it is by the power of God, and He should always be our Leader.  Verse ten adds, And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words.  The elders of Gilead said let the LORD be their witness that they would do as he asked.  As Christians, God' is always our witness when we make promises to anyone about anything.  How we follow through on that promise reflects on God, so we should always do our best to keep our promises.  Verse eleven continues, Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.  Jephthah returned with the elders and they made him their captain, and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD at Mizpeh.  Jephthah said he would only do this if the LORD was with him, and this should still be our attitude as Christians today.  We should never accept any position in the church, or even in our everyday life, without knowing God is with us in our decision. 

Judges 10:10

Judges 10:10 says, And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.  Once again, after they were defeated, the people of Israel called out to God.  This cycle of obedience followed by turning to other gods repeats itself once more.  We too can be guilty of forgetting about God when things are good, simply to find ourself calling out to Him only when things go bad.  The people of Israel confessed to sinning against God, and so must we if we have allowed other things to become more important than God.  Verse eleven adds, And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines?  Verse twelve continues, The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.  God asked the people of Israel if He had not already delivered them from multiple oppressive groups. What we as followers of Christ need to realize today if we find ourselves to be oppressed physically is that God has already given us an everlasting victory spiritually, so we need to simply remain faithful to Him.  Verse thiteen states, Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.  God said that since they continually rejected Him that He was no longer going to deliver them.  We better hope we never find ourselves in that position.  Verse fourteen adds, Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation.  God told the people Israel, His chosen people, to go to the gods that they had rejected Him for and ask them to deliver them.  Of course these false gods couldn't do it, any more than any false god we allow to come between God and us today can deliver us from the power of sin and evil in our life today.  Verse fifteen says, And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day.  The people of Israel once again confessed their sins to God and asked Him to do what He must to them, but to deliver them from the evil that they were enslaved by.  Of course, they didn't really need to tell God to do whatever He desired to do to them, because He always had that power.  We need to always remain faithful to God, in the good times and the bad.  Verse sixteen adds, And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.  Even though God had said He wasn't going to deliver them again, the people of Israel put away their strange gods, or idols, and served Him again.  Even if we don't feel like God is delivering us from a bad situation today, we must continue to be faithful to Him. We are also told that God grieved for their situation.  God will never delight in the suffering of anyone, especially those who are His people by their having accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Verse seventeen continues, Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.  The forces of Ammon gathered in Gilead, while the people of Israel gathered at Mizpeh.  The people of Israel were now united against their common enemy, and so must we be as Christians today.  Verse eighteen concludes. And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, What man is he that will begin to fight against the children of Ammon? he shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.  God had been raising up a Judge for the people of Israel, but now they were asking themselves who would lead them against the Ammonites.  God may not always simply appoint someone to be a leader in the church today, but He will always guide us to that person as long as we are being obedient to Him. 

Judges 9:50

Judges 9:50 says, Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.  Abimelech next went to Thebez and captured it.  He was expanding his kingdom, but without following God.  Verse fifty-one adds, But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.  Though Abimelech took control of the city of Thebez, he did not capture the people who fled to a strong tower within the city.  As followers of Christ, we may have everything we own taken away, but we are always spiritually safe in our great tower, Jesus Christ.  Verse fifty-two continues, And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.   Abimelech went strongly against the tower, planning to burn it down.  People today may come strongly against us as Christians planning to destroy our Tower, our faith in Jesus Christ, but as long as we remain faithful to Him, they will never be successful.  Verse fifty-three states, And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.  We are told a certain woman on the wall of the tower dropped a piece of millstone on Abimelech's head and broke his skull.  She is not even identified by name, though she effectively put Abimelech out of commission, even if he did not die immediately.  As we do what God calls us to do today as His people, we should not do it for self glorification, but for the glory of God.  Even if we do not immediately kill off all the sin in the world, if we remain faithful to Jesus Christ, we can stop its effectiveness in our life.  Verse fifty-four adds, Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.  Abimelech was still worried about what people would think about him after he died.  He called his armor bearer and told his armor bearer to kill him with his sword, so that people would not say that he was killed by a woman.  Those who live for their own glory today are often more concerned with their legacy than they are with life itself.  We as Christians should never be that way, because we should live for God's glory and not our own.  The armor bearer did as Abimelech commanded him to do, and killed Abimelech with his sword.  Verse fifty-five continues, And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they gave up the fight and went home.  They had entered into an unholy alliance with Abimelech to start with, and once he was dead, they had no desire to continue the fight.  Often, people who follow a leader today are only committed to the fight for as long as that leader is alive.  Fortunately, as followers of Christ, our leader will never die, so no matter what happens in this world, we need to continue to be committed to the fight against sin and evil in this world.  Verse fifty-six declares, Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:  Though Abimelech declared himself the king of Israel by killing his seventy brothers, God had never declared him to be.  We are told instead that by the death of Abimelech that God had put an end to his wickedness.  The woman on the wall may have dropped the millstone and the armor bearer may have killed Abimelech with a sword, but it was God Who directed these events, just as He will one day put an end to all the evil in the world and to those who live outside of His will, choosing the ways of the world over Jesus Christ.  Verse fifty-seven adds, And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.  The men of Shechem who had empowered Abimelech in his killing of the sons of Jerubbaal, or Gilead, may have returned home, but God still held them accountable for their actions, just as He does everyone today.

Judges 9:42

Judges 9:42 says, And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.  Abimelech was told what those who opposed him were planning.  The element of surprise was gone.  Verse forty-three adds, And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.  Abimelech divided his forces into three groups, and laid in wait until the people of the city came out, and then he slew them.  We as Christians today should not be surprised if the world around us today waits to entrap us in evil.  Verse forty-four continues, And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.  Abimelech and the third of his forces with him entered the city while the other two thirds fought those outside the city.  There is no place in this world where we are totally exempt from encountering sin, but as long as we remain faithful to God, it will never overpower us.  Verse forty-five states, And Abimaelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.  Abimelech fought against the city all day, but eventually defeated it and totally destroyed it.  Verse forty-six adds, And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.  When the people of Shechem heard this, they went into the hold of the house of the god Berith.  Instead of looking to the one true and living God, these people who were supposed to be a part of God's people went to a false god seeking safety.  When we are under attack as Christians today, the only place of safety is in the arms of God.  Verse forty-seven says, And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.  Abimelech was made aware of where the people were gathered.  Verse forty-eight adds, And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.  Abimelech then went up on Mount Zalmon and cut a branch off a tree and told the men there with to do the same.  When people of the world are fighting against us as followers of Christ, they will always invite others to join them.  Verse forty-nine continues, And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.  Abimelech and those with him used the branches they had cut to set fire to the hold of the god of Berith, which did not help those seeking safety there at all.  False gods will never offer us any protection today, but will only lead to our destruction if we put our faith in them.

Judges 10:1

Judges 10:1 says, And after Abimelech there arose to defend Israel Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar; and he dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim.  After Abimelech, Tola of the tribe of Issachar became the judge of Israel.  Unlike Abimelech, Tola had not promoted himself to be king of Israel, but was instead evidently called by God to be their judge.  Verse two adds, And he judged Israel twenty and three years, and died, and was buried in Shamir.  We aren't told much about what happened during Tola's reign, but the nation of Israel was evidently at peace, and Tola reigned twenty-three years.  Verse three states, And after him arose Jair, a Gileadite, and judged Israel twenty and two years.  After Tola died, Jair of the half tribe of Manasseh, on the other side of the Jordan, who was also a Gileadite, became the judge of Israel, and he judged for twenty-two years.  Verse four adds, And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty ass colts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havothjair unto this day, which are in the land of Gilead.  Jair had thirty sons who rode on donkeys throughout Israel to help him in judging Israel.  He did not attempt to do everything himself or for his glory.  We as followers of Christ cannot do everything that needs to be done in God's kingdom today, nor should we believe that we can.  We need to acknowledge that we need the help of our fellow Christians in doing God's work, and we should not be doing it for our glory.  Verse five continues, And Jair died, and was buried in Camon.  After judging Israel for twenty-two years, Jair died.  That was forty-five years of peace that Israel had under these two judges.  We might think that the people of Israel would be devoted to following God by that time, but as we will see, they weren't. Sometimes, when things are going peacefully in life,we can tend to forget about God Who brings us that peace.  Verse six declares, And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.  After these two judges died, the people of Israel who were called to be God's people, began to do evil in His sight and to worship many false gods.  If we do not put our faith in God today, we can easily be led to follow many false gods and to do evil in God's sight, even though it may not be evil in the view of the world.  Verse seven adds, And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. God's anger was hot against the actions of the people of Israel, and He allowed them to be defeated by the Philistines and the Amorites.  If we turn away from following God today, we can easily be defeated by those who are in power around us.  Verse eight continues, And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.  For eighteen years, the two and a half tribes on the other side of the Jordan were vexed and oppressed by the Amorites, though it was where Jair had come from.  Just because some people devoted to God come from where we live doesn't mean that everyone in our area is devoted to God.  Verse nine concludes, Moreover the children of Ammon passed over Jordan to fight also against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim; so that Israel was sore distressed.  The Amorites weren't content in just conquering the two and a half tribes, but crossed over the Jordan to fight with much of the rest of Israel as well.  If the forces of evil are successful in defeating a group of Christians today, we should not be surprised if they expand the war to fight against other Christians. 

Judges 9:34

Judges 9:34 says, Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.  After being told about Gaal's plan to overthrow him, Abimelech and those who were with him rose by night, and he divided them into four groups and surrounded  Shechem.  Verse thirty-five adds, And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.  When Gaal got up, he went out to the city gate, and Abimelech and his forces rose up so that Gaal could see them.  Neither  Gaal, nor Abimelech, were following God in their plans, but Abimelech evidently had the larger army, which definitely could matter.  Those who do not follow God are often in opposition to one another today, and the strength and determination of their forces often matter as to who wins.  Verse thirty-six continues, And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.  Gaal told Zebul, who was still loyal to Abimelech, that he saw men coming down from the mountains, and Zebul told him that he only saw shadows that he thought were men.  Matthew Henry says that instead of securing Zebul, the head of Abimelech's army, that the people of Shechem had left him free.  We as followers of Christ today can never allow sin to continue to run free in our lives.  Verse thirty-seven states, And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.  Gaal then told Zebul that he saw men coming from many directions,  and that he wasn't just seeing shadows as Zebul had suggested.  Gaal told Zebul, thinking he was an ally instead of being true to Abimelech, that he saw two other companies of men, and he knew they weren't just shadows. The truth could no longer be overlooked.  Verse thirty-eight adds, Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.  Zebul asked Gaal where his bold words asking who Abimelech was that they should serve him,  adding they could now be answered, because Abimelech and his forces were there.  Zebul told Gaal that it was now time to back up his bold speech.  If people brag about how strong they are, eventually there may come a time when they have to back up their talk.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.  To his credit, Gaal led the men of Shechem into battle against Abimelech.  We find today that those who speak the loudest against someone that they see as evil quickly turn and run when they come face-to-face with the one they are crying out against, but this wasn't the case with Gaal.  Verse forty says, And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.  Of course, when facing Abimelech and his forces, Gaal soon did flee, and many of those with him were wounded.  Verse forty-one adds, And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.  Abimelech returned to Arumah after the battle, but Zebul, whom Gaal thought to be his ally, cast Gaal and those who had followed him out of Shechem.  Sometimes, we may discover too late that those that we thought to be our allies have been secretly working against us all along.

Judges 9:22

Judges 9:22 says, When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,  Verse twenty-three adds, Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:  After Abimelech ruled three years, God caused trouble to arise between the men of Shechem and him.  Matthew Henry says that their own lusts, influenced by Satan and allowed by God led to their falling out.  God still allows Satan to influence people today if they don't put their faith in Him through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-four continues, That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.  God allowed this because Abimelech had killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Gideon, and the men of Shechem had aided him in doing so.  We may have a time of success if we go against God and His people, but we will one day be held accountable.  Verse twenty-five states, And 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.  The people of Shechem begin to have people lie in wait for people coming across the top of the mountain and rob them, and Abimelech heard about this.  He evidently had not authorized it, nor was he profiting from it.  There is no better way to get the attention of greedy, selfish rulers, or people in general, than to start doing something that they see as effecting what they think should at least partly be theirs.  Verse twenty-six adds, 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.  Gaal, the son of Ebed came to his brothers and went over into Shechem and the people there put their faith in him instead of Abimelech.  There will always be new people who challenge the rule or authority of others when they are neither following God's leadership.  Verse twenty-seven continues, 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.  After putting their faith in Gaal, the people of Shechem began to openly defy Abimelech.  They gathered their harvest and made merry in the house of their god, without any concern for nor devotion to Abimelech.  They may have been parting ways with Abimelech, but they still hadn't confessed their sin of having aided him in killing the seventy sons of Gideon.  Simply having a falling out with other sinners will never save us if we do not confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-eight says, 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?  Gaal asked who Abimelech and Zebul his officer were, that they should serve him, asking was Abimelech not the son of Jerubbaal, or Gideon, whose other sons he had killed to keep them from claiming power over Israel.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.  Gaal then stated that he wished the people were under his authority and challenged Abimelech to increase his army and come and face him.  Neither Gaal nor Abimelech was appointed by God.  Verse thirty states, And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.  When Zebul, who was ruling over Shechem while Abimelech was away heard what Gaal said, he became angry.  He still sided with Abimelech, though the other people of Shechem were turning against him.  Verse thirty-one adds, 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 thee.  Zebul sent messengers secretly to Abimelech telling him that the city of Shechem was being fortified against him under the leadership of Gaal.  We should not be surprised when lost people of the world today go to war with each other.  Verse thirty-two continues, Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:  Verse thirty-three concludes, And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.  Zebul advised Abimelech to gather his forces by night in the field outside Shechem, and then when Gaal and the men of Shechem came out, he could take them by surprise.  Often, those who are seeking their own power in the world today act in darkness hoping to catch their enemies off guard, but we as followers of Christ should never do this, because we should be walking in the Light, empowered by the Holy Spirit. 

Judges 9:7

Judges 9:7 says, And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.  When Jotham heard what had happened to his brothers, he called out to the men of Shechem from the top of Mount Gerazim. Jotham did not raise an army and attempt to take over ruling the people of Shechem, even though Abimelech had said this was the intent of the sons of Gideon.  He simply began to point out their stupidity in following Abimelech.  Verse eight adds, The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.  Jotham begin to speak in a parable about the trees wanting to elect a king.  This parable was evidently inspired by God, and it showed Jotham's understanding of the situation.   Sometimes, instead of fighting against those who profess to be Christians and who are doing things that are not in accordance with God's will, all we can really do is point out the error of their ways under the guidance of God.  We cannot just base it on our own opinion, but must be based on God's word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Verse nine continues, But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees first went to the olive tree to ask it to be king, but the olive tree turned them down because it provided olives used to honor God and men, so why would it want to give this up simply to rule over the other trees.  The trees really had no need for a king, and neither did the people of Shechem, because God was their king and they were simply to be productive doing what God called them to do, and this still applies to us today.  We as followers of Christ should not aspire to rule, but to serve, doing what God calls us to do and bearing fruit for His kingdom and His glory.  Verse ten states, And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse eleven adds, But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees next went to the fig tree, and got pretty much the same answer as the olive tree had given them, which was why give up doing what it was designed to do simply to spend its time being a ruler over the other trees.  If God has not called us into a leadership position, why would we today want to be in that position instead of serving where God has called us to serve?  Verse twelve says, Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse thirteen adds, And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?  The trees, being determined to have a king that they didn't need, next went to the grapevine, and again received a similar answer as to why the grapevine wouldn't serve as their king.  We should never be so determined to have an earthly ruler that we continue to look everywhere instead of looking to God.  Verse fourteen states, Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.  Verse fifteen adds, And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.  The trees finally asked the bramble, and unproductive and destructive vine, to be their king, and the bramble accepted.  Since rhe bramble was being used to represent Abimelech, Matthew Henry says this might imply that the people of Shechem asked him to be their king and he in self pride accepted, but this really doesn't seem to be what the Bible says.  The bramble did say that they were to trust in its shadow.  We as Christians should never exalt leaders, especially those who do not seem to put moraliy first, if they continually exalt themselves.  Verse sixteen continues, Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;  Jotham then pointed out that this was what the people of Shechem had done when they foolishly chose Abimelech as their king, while ignoring all that Gideon had done for them while asking for nothing in return.  We today need to judge people by what they have done to benefit others by God's guidance, and not by what they may have done to help themselves.  Verse seventeen declares, (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:  Verse eighteen adds, And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)  Jotham reminded them of what his father, Gideon, had done for them and then of how they had treated him by killing his seventy sons on the word of Abimelech that they aspired to be king.  Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, who had done nothing for the people of Shechem,  was the only one of Gideon's sons to ask to be made king.  Yet, the people followed him because he said it would stop Gideon's other sons from wanting to rule over them.  We need to be careful that we do not follow someone who promotes himself as being the one who can keep us from a harmful situation that does not really exist.  Verse nineteen states, If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:  Jotham said if they had dealt truly and sincerely with the Gideon and his sons, that they should rejoice and Abimelech should rejoice with them.  Ultimately, as Christians, we all have ask ourselves if we are dealing honestly and truly with those that we may condemn or follow, and it must all be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-one adds, But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.  Jotham then said that if they had not done so, let Abimelech and them be destroyed by fire.  One day, those who refuse to follow God by putting their faith in Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord will go away to everlasting punishment in the fires of hell.  Verse twenty-one continues, And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.  Jotham did not attempt to take over as king, but fled to Beer because of his fear of his brother, Abimelech.  I don't believe that we as Christians today should ever run away out of fear, but neither should we claim power for ourselves, unless we truly believe that this is what God wants us to do.

Judges 9:1

Judges 9:1 says, And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, went Shechem to his mother's brethren and talked with all of them.  Shechem was in the land of the tribe of Ephraim, and there is no indication that the elders there felt that God had chosen Abimelech to be the leader of Israel until he started promoting the idea himself.  There definitely was no record of God calling him to do so.  We need to be careful about following those who are promoting themselves today as the only way to be successful in following God.  Verse two adds, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.  Abimelech asked the people of Shechem to consider whether it was better for seventy sons of Gideon to reign over them, or one, Abimelech himself, who was of their tribe, alone to reign over them.  Of course, Gideon himself had not said any of his sons were going to be in power over Israel after he died, and neither had God.  We may be called on at times to make a choice that seems sensible in worldly terms, but is not something that God has called on us to make a decision about.  Verse three continues, And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.  The men of Shechem all spoke of Abimelech and asked the questions he had asked, and decided it was better to follow Abimelech, because he was of their tribe.  They did not consult God, even though they were a part of His chosen people.  We as followers of Christ should never make decisions in life based on what seems best for us without first talking to God about it.  If we do make decisions without praying about it, we will often make the wrong one.  Verse four states, And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.  The people of Shechem gave Abimelech money from the public treasury, which he used to hire vain and light men, or those willing to do anything for money, to help him in establishing himself as the ruler of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this was money given to the idol that they worshipped.  People today, even those who profess to be God's people, will often offer material support to someone who appears to be the best person to benefit them personally, without considering what God would have them do.  Verse five adds, And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.  Abimelech went to Ophrah and killed the seventy sons of Gideon, except for Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself.  Verse six continues,  And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.  The men of Shechem gathered with the men of Millo and made Abimelech king.  Of course, they were only a part of the entire nation of Israel, but they were making Abimelech king.  We cannot make decisions that will affect other Christians today without first praying and then discussing things with them if possible.

Judges 8:28

Judges 8:28 says, Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.  The Midianites were subdued, and the nation of Israel enjoyed forty years of peace in the days of Gideon.  Though we as followers of Christ may be at war with the forces of evil in the world today, we should be at peace with God.  As Paul said, whatever our state, we should be content, because we know that the victory is already ours through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.  Jerubbaal, or Gideon, went and dwelt in his own house. Gideon did not demand a place of honor and prestige to live, but returned to his own house.  He didn't place himself above his fellow Israelites, and we as Christians cannot do that today either.  Verse thirty continues, And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.  Gideon had seventy sons,because he had many wives.  We know that even though many of the Old Testment leaders of God's people had many wives, this was not God's plan for marriage.  We may break God's law, and we will, as followers of Christ and yet still be led by God to do great things for His kingdom.  Verse thirty-one states, And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.  Gideon also had a son named Abimelech by his concubine in Shechem.  Verse thirty-two adds, And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  Gideon died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father.  No matter how long we live, one day we will all die, unless Jesus Christ returns first.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.  They had already started to worship the golden ephod that Gideon made, but after he died, the people of Israel turned totally away from God and again began to worship Baal, and made Baalberith their god.  Matthew Henry says that Baalberith signifies the god of the covenant, which may have been an imitation of the covenant relationship between the people of Israel and God.  We may go seeking other gods today, but the one and only true God comes seeking us instead.  Verse thirty-four says, And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:  The people of Israel once again forget the true God, Who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies.  We as followers of Christ serve that same God today, but if we do not teach our children about Him and lead them to a personal relationship with Him, in a generation He can be forgotten.  Verse thirty-five adds, Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.  They not only forgot God, but they showed no kindness to the descendants of Jerubbaal, or Gideon.  After all, before delivering them from the Midianites, he had first torn down the altar to Baal and destroyed the grove associated with Baal at his father’s house.  I don't believe that those who chase after other gods will ever look at the followers of Christ with kindness.  They will likely tolerate us at best.  

Judges 8:22

Judges 8:22 says, Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.  The people of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them, and his son and grandson after him, because he had delivered them from the Midianites.  We aren't told that they prayed about this, and they were giving Gideon credit for what God had done.  Today, we as followers of Christ need to pray as we elect leaders, if we have that choice, and need to never give credit to anyone for what God has done.  Verse twenty-three adds, And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.  Gideon set them straight by saying that neither he nor his sons would reign over them, but that God would.  There are people today who say that they alone can rule a country, and very often they leave God out of it.  Verse twenty-four continues, And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)  Gideon then asked the men to give him all the earrings that they had taken from their enemies, who were Ishmaelites, after they had slain them.  We today should give everything that we gain to God, to be used as He guides us to do.  Verse twenty-five states, And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.  The people of Israel said that they would willingly give them, then spread a blanket and put the earrings on it.  (Though I never will, evidently men wore earrings even way back then.)  We need to willingly give everything to God, but I believe that we also have a responsibility to make sure that what we give is going to be used for God's purpose and glory, and not for some individual's enrichment.  Verse twenty-six adds, And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.  There was a lot of gold in all that they had siezed, plus other valuables that they surrendered willingly.  No matter how much we may gain from doing God's work today, we must willingly give it back to Him and not believe that it is ours to do with as we so desire.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.  Gideon made an ephod out of the gold,and hung it in Ophrah, and people began to worship it, and it became a snare to Gideon and his sons.  If we begin to worship material things that God blesses us with today, instead of worshipping God, they will become a snare to us also. 

Judges 8:10

Judges 8:10 says, Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.  Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with fifteen thousand men, all that was left of their army after one hundred and twenty thousand had been killed.  They had escaped before the border was sealed of by the people of Ephraim.  Verse eleven adds, And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.  Gideon and his three hundred men, though tired and hungry, did not pursue them directly, but went in a in a way that would cut them off.  Even if we are tired, hungry and outnumbered as followers of Christ today and even if we have had great success in our battle against sin and evil today, we cannot be content and just sit back and rest.  There will always be more to do in the battle.  They met the enemy when they thought they were secure, or at night according to Matthew Henry.  Verse twelve continues, And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.  Once more, the two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but Gideon caught them.  They seemed to be looking out for their own safety and not concerned about that of ther men.  Many so called leaders are the same way today.  Verse thirteen states, And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,  Gideon returned from the battle before the sun was up.  God had given Gideon a quick and complete victory,  and though He may not give us as quick a victory over the forces of evil today, He has already given us a complete victory if we are obedient to Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.  Gideon caught up with a young man of Succoth and had him describe the elders of Succoth, which numbered seventy-seven men.  These were the men who had refused Gideon's request for bread for his troops.  If we as Christians refuse to help our fellow Christians when they are in need, God knows our name and one day we may be held accountable for our actions.  Verse fifteen continues, And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?  Gideon came to the rulers of Succoth with Zebah and Zalmunna in his captivity, and said that they had asked him if they were when they so recently refused to help him, and now they were.  We cannot demand that those who need our help today show us that they are going to be successful in accomplishing what God has called them to do before we help them.  Verse sixteen says, And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  Gideon took these rulers of Succoth and beat them with briers to teach them a lesson.  He didn't kill them though.  I don't believe that we are to beat those who don't help us when we need help to more easily accomplish what God calls us to do today though, but we need to be in prayer for them instead.  Verse seventeen adds, And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.  Gideon then tore down the tower of Penuel, which they saw as their source of strength, and killed their leaders.  If we are looking to earthly things for security as followers of Christ, we need to realize that they are worthless.  Verse eighteen states, Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.  Gideon then asked Zebah and Zalmunna what the people that they slew at Tabor looked like, and they said they looked like Gideon and each resembled a child of a king.  As Christians, we all look alike spiritually, and we are all a child of the King.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.  Gideon told Zebah and Zalmunna that these men that they killed were his brothers, and had they spared them that he would likewise spare them.  If people do not show mercy to others today, they should not expect God to show mercy to them.  Verse twenty continues, And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Gideon told his son oldest son, Jether, to slay the two kings, but he was unable to because of his youth.  Those who are young in their faith in Christ today may not yet be able to do some of the harder things required in the fight against sin and evil in the world today, but we need to give them opportunities to grow in faith and do so.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.  Zebah and Zalmunna asked Gideon to slay them himself as a sign of acknowledgement of their strength, though they really hadn't shown much, so he did.   Gideon also took away the ornaments that were on their camel's necks, which were probably a sign of their authority.  If we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, one day He will be our judge and take away all the things that we own and think make us better than others. 

Judges 8:1

Judges 8:1 says, And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.  The men of Ephraim asked Gideon why he didn't call them when he went against the Midianites, and chided him.  Too often today Christians get upset with other Christians because thay somehow feel slighted if these other Christians are being successful without them, but instead we should rejoice with them at their success if it comes from obeying God.  Verse two adds, 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?  Gideon asked how they thought he was better.  He then asked if dealing with the remnant by the people of Ephraim was not as important as the other Israelites dealing with the main force. Today, cleaning up remaining sins is just as important as dealing with the majority.  Verse three continues, God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.  Gideon asked them if the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, were not delivered by God to them, then they lost their anger toward him.  Instead of being angry at other Christians because they seemingly been more successful than us, we need to look to God and give Him the glory for what they have accomplished.  Verse four states, And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. Gideon and the three hundred, though tired, crossed over the Jordan still in pursuit of the Midianites.  There were about fifteen thousand Midianites, and Gideon was still remaining true to God's telling him to take only three hundred men with him.  We should never allow the size of the enemy forces to keep us from doing what God calls us to do, even when we get tired.  Verse five adds, And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.  Gideon asked the men of Succoth to give bread to the three hundred and him, because they were weak and yet still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.  We should never be reluctant to ask our fellow Christians for help when we need it to accomplish God's will.  Verse six continues, And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?  The people of Succoth asked if Gideon had already captured Zebah and Zalmunna so that they should give them bread.  We should never demand a final result before helping people in carrying out their calling from God, especially when they are in great need of help.  Verse seven says, And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.  Gideon said that since the people of Succoth would not help them, as soon as he was successful he was going to return and punish them.  Verse eight adds, And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.  Gideon then went to the men of Penuel and asked them for help, and they treated him the same way as the people of Succoth had.  The people of Succoth and Penuel were both of the tribe of Gad and therefore a part of the people of Israel.  As followers of Christ, we should never refuse help to other Christians, even if some who also profess to be do.  Verse nine continues, And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.  Gideon then told the people of Penuel that when he returned to them in peace, he would break down their tower.

Judges 7:16

Judges 7:16 says, And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.  Gideon divided the three hundred men into three groups, and gave each a trumpet and an empty pitcher.  These are not exactly the armament that we would choose to go against an overwhelming enemy, but Gideon was being led by God, and so must we be today.  Verse seventeen adds, And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.  Gideon told the three hundred to watch him as he came to the camp of the Midianites and to do as he did.  We today need to look to God by faith in Jesus Christ and do what the Holy Spirit leads us to do as we face our enemies.  Verse eighteen continues, When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  Gideon told them that when he blew the trumpet that all that were with him would blow their trumpet, then so should all those on all sides of the Midianites, and then they were to shout, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon."  We today as Christians need to look to God first and always for deliverance from bad situations, and make sure that we give Him credit when He delivers us.  Verse nineteen states, So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.  Verse twenty concludes, And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  After breaking their pitchers, all three hundred held their lamps in their left hand and blew the trumpet with their right while shouting the sword of the LORD and of Gideon, as Gideon had directed them to do.  We today need to always do what God directs us to do if we want to be successful.  Verse twenty-one states, And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.  The army of the Midianites fled.  As long as we follow what God tells us to do, all our enemies will one day flee from us, if not in this lifetime, then in the everlasting one to come.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. It is stated once again that the whole army of Midianites fled from the area.  Verse twenty-three continues, And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.  The men from other tribes of Israel began to gather together and pursue the Midianites.  God had limited the army of Gideon at the start, but He did not keep others from joining in once the battle was under way.  We have many other Christians joining us the battle against sin and evil today, even if we sometimes feel that we are small in numbers.  Verse twenty-four says, And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.  Gideon sent messengers to the other Israelites near by calling on them to join the battle, and they did.  God still calls on all His people to join the battle against sin and evil in the world today, and we are to do so by sharing the gospel..  Verse twenty-five adds, And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.  They took the heads Oreb and Zeeb, and brought them to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.  We don't need to bring the heads of anyone to any Christian leader today, but we do need to never let physical barriers keep us apart.  We as followers of Christ are all a part of the same army of God.

Judges 7:9

Judges 7:9 says, And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  That night, after reducing Gideon's army from over thirty thousand down to three hundred, God told Gideon to arise, get down into the host of Midianites.  God then told Gideon that He had delivered the enemy into his hand.  We may be outnumbered as followers of Christ today, but God expects us to engage the enemy everyday, all the sin inspired by Satan, and He has already delivered them into our hand as long as we are faithful to Him.  Verse ten says, But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:  Then, God told Gideon that if he was afraid to go down with his army, to go with his servant Phurah.  God gave Gideon a choice of acting in faith or gathering more facts, and I believe He still does today, even though ideally we will always act in faith.  Verse eleven continues, And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.  God told Gideon after he heard what the army of the Midianites were saying, then his hands would be strengthened to go down to fight them.  Gideon, though he might have been afraid, did as God told him to do, and so must we today.  We should never let fear control us, but should live by faith, if we have indeed accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twelve states, And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.  What Gideon found was an army of Midianites and Amalekites that were like grasshoppers in their numbers, and not their physical size, and they had camels without number.  This probably didn't encourage Gideon.  We may be outnumbered as Christians today, but I am not sure that we are ever this badly outnumbered.  Still, God expects us to stand tall in our faith and and face whatever enemy comes our way.  Verse thirteen adds, And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.  As Gideon and Phurah were spying, they heard a man of the Midianites tell of a dream he had, where a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, came into a tent and smote it so that it fell and lay alone.  Gideon,  who had threashed corn and made cakes for his friends was represented by the barley cake, and his small army and he, by the power of God, were going to destroy the Midianites and Amalekites gathered against them.  Verse fourteen continues, And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.  One of the other Midianites interpreted the dream as representing them being delivered to fall by the sword of Gideon.  Gideon may not have had total faith in the outcome, but his enemies seemed to believe that he was powerful enough to destroy them.  What we need to realize is that no matter how powerful our enemies may be today, God is infinitely more powerful.  Verse fifteen concludes, And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.  After hearing the dream and its interpretation, Gideon worshipped God and then returned and told his army to arise, that God had delivered the army of the Midianites into their hands.  We need to arise everyday, knowing that God has delivered our enemies into our hands, and then simply live out our day by faith.