Judges 8:10-17
10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of the entire army of the people of the east; for the fallen were 120,000 swordsmen.
11 Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents to the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and he attacked the camp when the camp was unsuspecting.
12 When Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued them and captured the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed the entire army.
13 Then Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle by the ascent of Heres.
14 And he captured a youth from Succoth and questioned him. Then the youth wrote down for him the leaders of Succoth and its elders, seventy-seven men.
15 And he came to the men of Succoth and said, “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, about whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’ ”
16 Then he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and he disciplined the men of Succoth with them.
17 And he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
Gideon’s Revenge
Capture of the two kings
It is sad to say, but often for Christians, the internal enemies are more formidable than external enemies. These are people who claim to be Christians but have not experienced a true transformation of the heart. Here, we encounter Israelites whose hearts resemble those of the Midianites. Gideon faced cold treatment from them. The more the enemies afflict and hinder us in God’s work, the more God will provide us with great help. The key is to trust only in God and continue the fight. Grace, wisdom, and strength will surely be given to us. Gideon pursued the Midianite army to Karkor (about 155 miles east of the Jordan River) and launched a surprise attack, destroying the 15,000 Midianite soldiers. By this point, 120,000 had already been killed, and the two Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were captured.
Making an example
Gideon brought the two kings of Midian all the way to Succoth deliberately. The reason for this was to teach the people of Succoth, who had refused Gideon’s request by saying, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hand?” Gideon took the two kings and presented them before those who doubted the victory of Gideon’s army. However, Gideon only punished the seventy-seven elders with thorns and briers, as a lesson for the people of the city. Furthermore, Gideon did the same thing in Penuel. Even if you are betrayed by someone you thought was a friend, there is no need to be disappointed. Apostle John writes encouraging words as follows: ” They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be evident that they all are not of us” (1 Jo. 2:19). Where disappointment increases, God’s grace abounds all the more.
Today's prayer
Almighty God, I thank you for the realization that nothing can happen without your permission. Please draw me closer to you. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.