Wed.’s Devo - Signs

Read: Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8 Gideon and his army came to the spring of Herod which means “trembling”. There God told him to send home all who were trembling with fear, and 22,000 left. There were 10,000 still there and God said it was too many because he didn’t want them to be able to boast that they brought their victory. He wanted them to know that it was Him who gave them victory. So he too them down to the brook and told them to drink. Only 300 men drank with their hands and God chose them. Gideon sent the others home and they went to where he could see the Midianite camp in the valley below. God told Gideon that if he was still afraid he should go down into the camp at night and listen. He took Purah and did that. When they got there two men were talking and one was telling the dream he had just had. He dreamed a cake of barley rolled down and knocked over one of their tents. The other interpreted it as Gideon’s army completely defeating them. Gideon was ready to fight. He went back up and woke up his army and told them that God had given them the victory. He divided them into three groups and gave them all a ram’s horn and a clay jar with a torch in it. They reached the camp just after midnight at the changing of the guards and surrounded the camp. They blew their horns, broke their clay jars exposing the fire and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.” They just stood and watched as the Midianites panicked and killed each other. Some escaped and fled. Gideon called for the armies of Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh to chase them. He called for the Ephraimites of the hill country to help them also. They captured Oreb and Zeeb the two Midianite commanders. Oreb means “a raven” and Zeeb means “a wolf”. The people of Ephraim were mad that they weren’t called to help till now. Gideon told them how important what they had done by capturing Oreb and Zeeb and they were contented. Gideon and his men continued chasing the kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunah. THey stopped in Succoth for some food for his army but they wouldn’t give them any until they had captured the kings. Gideon told them that when he returned he would take down their tower. Towers were occultist structures like obelisks. God gave Gideon success and he captured the kings and their armies. Returning he ran into a man from Succoth and made him write down the names of the 77 officials of Succoth. When he came to the town he took the men whose names where on the lists out to the wilderness and whipped them with thorns and briars He also tore down the tower and killed all the men in the town. In Luke, Herod and Pilate examined the lamb of God and found him innocent and not worthy of death. Pilate said he was going to flog him and then release him. The crowd went wild and called for him to release Barabbas instead and crucify Jesus. Pilate finally released Barabbas and turned Jesus over to the people to do what they wanted to do. They led Jesus away to be crucified and grabbed Simon of Cyrene to carry his cross for him. A mob of angry people followed Jesus along with greif-stricken women. Jesus turned and spoke to them. He spoke of a day that would be worse than this one. Jesus was led to a place called “the Skull” and there was nailed to the cross. Other criminals were dying that day. One was placed on his left and one on his right. Jesus prayed that God would forgive them for they didn’t understand what they were doing. They mocked him and put up a sign that said, “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals beside him mocked him but the other honored him and prayed that Jesus would remember him when he came to his Kingdom. Jesus assured him that he would be with him in Paradise. Thank you Lord for all the encouragement and signs you gave to Gideon. It gives us courage to ask for signs for ourselves. You never get mad when we ask for signs along the way…signs are your language. Lead us in the way we should go today. Let us see your signs and follow them.