In this video listen to Judges 8 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Judges 8 the battle against the Midianites is still ongoing with 15000 troops and two king remaining on the eastern side of the Jordan at Karkor. Gideon requests help from two cities, Succoth and Penuel, but they hedge their bets and refuse help, probably thinking the Midianites might retain ongoing influence. This comes back to bite them later.

Gideon catches the remaining 15000 Midianite soldiers by surprise and defeats them. He then returns to punish the leaders of Succoth and Penuel. This illustrates to us that in the battle between the Lord’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world, we should not hedge our bets. It always results in catastrophe. Finally Gideon overcomes and they want him to be the King.

He refuses, but internally ...