Judges 8

Judges 8

And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. 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. 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? 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. 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. And he spake also unto

the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.'

Judges 8:4-9

At the beginning of this chapter, Gideon and his 300 men were still pursuing the remaining Midianites. They came to the city of Succoth, and asked that they be given bread for themselves.

The men of the city however, refused to give them any food, becuause they had not yet been conquered by Israel themselves. Gideon's reply to them was that when he and his men

returned from pursuing the Midianites, that he would tear their flesh from their bones. He and his men then went to the city of Penuel, and demanded bread from there as well. The men

of this city answered in the same manner, however, as the men from the first city had answered. Gideon told them tha he would break down and destroy their tower as well.

Even though God did not relish the sin of His people, He was and still is a jealous God. When the inhabitants of these cities would not give Israel their assistance, they became a thorn in

the side of the Lord. He would not go for someone messing with His people without His permission. And so He, through Gideon, promised to give them vengeance when Gideon and his men

returned.

Will God protect and shield me even though I do not deserve His love and protection?

Will He bring me through trials just like the Israelites went through?

'Lord, help me to let go of my pride, so that I can better serve You and others. Help me to be strong and to trust You Lord, as Gideon did.