Humble pie

Gideon, with his 300 men and Zebah and Zalmunna (great baby names!), headed back to Succoth. It was time for the judge to deal out the punishment.

Somehow, Gideon had a list of the 77 elders from the town. He called them out one by one.

They knew what to expect, Gideon had already told them what fate was awaiting them.

Whips of desert thorns and briars were made infront of the 77 (a sign of bareness and wasteland [Isaiah 7:23 & Luke 6:44]).

Did the people of Succoth use this time as an opportunity to apologize or humble themselves before Gideon? No.

Next was the turn of Peniel.

As they saw Gideon's 300 approaching in the distance did they prepare to welcome them (as they should have originally) ?

Did they arrange to snd a peace offering to honour the local hebrew heroes? No.

A battle quickly began, in which Gideon's men won (of course) and then (as promised) the tower was demolished.

Interestingly to note is that this was a water tower.

Think about it.

The massive importance of having a water tower in your town in the middle of the desert.

To these people water was power.

That tower represented their pride.

What a way to humble the people of Peniel.

Love you X