WHEN THE MAN OF GOD ASKS YOU FOR HELP YOU SHOULD HELP HIM

PROCLAMATION

“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?’ ’  And He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”  Judges 8:15-17 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  After Gideon defeated the Midianite army, slew the two princes that led them, Oreb and Zeeb, (Judges 7:21-25) Gideon went after the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna.  While he was in pursuit of them, he crossed the Jordan River and entered the city of Sukkoth.  He asked the men of Sukkoth to give his men some bread and they refused. (Judges 8:4-6)  Because they refused him and mocked him, Gideon told them after he caught the two kings he would come back and deal with them. (Judges 8:7)  From there he went to the city of Peniel and made the same request and received the same response.  Gideon told them, “When I return in triumph I will tear down this tower.” (Judges 8:8-9)  After he caught up with, attacked and defeated the Midianite army, he captured Zebah and Zalmunna.  Then he returned to Sukkoth and beat the elders and the men with thorns and briers which tore the skin off of their bodies. (Judges 8:10-16)  Afterwards he returned to Peniel and pulled down the tower and killed all the men in the city. (Judges 8:17-21)  When he returned home the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them but he refused.  His only request was for a gold earring from each of them which he had melted down and made into an ephod. (Judges 8:22-27)  During the remainder of Gideon’s lifetime the land was at peace for forty years.  However when Gideon died, the Israelites again prostituted themselves and worshiped Baal. (Judges 8:28-35)

 

APPLICATION

It is not a very good idea to refuse to help a man of God, or someone who is working for The Lord, in their hour of need.  It is also not good to refuse to listen to people of God when they offer you The Word of God. (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, and Luke 9:5)  Receiving a man of God, or a righteous man, embracing their doctrine and being kind to them will earn a person a reward. (Matthew 10:41)  Even giving them a glass of water to drink will you a reward. (Matthew 10:42 and Mark 9:41)  Be kind to people of God.