Definition: And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Judges 8:5. It’s a really important passage about leadership and responsibility! Here's the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, it means: “I’m asking the people of Succoth – a small village – to share some food with them because they are starving.” Let’s unpack it bit by bit: “And he said unto the men of Succoth…” : This tells us who is speaking. It's Jesus, the leader of the Jewish community at the time. “…Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me.” : This is the core instruction. He’s asking the people of Succoth to give them food. “Follow me” refers to his followers – the disciples he had with him. “For they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.” : This explains why he’s asking them to give food. The people of Succoth are very poor and starving. He's also telling us about two other men, Zebah and Zalmunna, who are wealthy and powerful – they're kings in a region called Midian. He’s pursuing them because they are ahead of him. What's the message? This verse highlights several things: Leadership Responsibility: Jesus is emphasizing his responsibility to care for those under his leadership, even when it means making difficult choices like asking people to share their resources. Compassion and Charity: It shows a deep concern for the well-being of others and a willingness to help those who are suffering. Justice & Fairness: It implies that the wealthy should be held accountable for their actions, as they are hindering the needs of the less fortunate. In short, it’s a story about a leader showing compassion and taking action to alleviate suffering. --- Do you want me to explain another Bible verse, or perhaps delve deeper into a specific aspect of this one? For example, would you like to know: More about the context of the time? The meaning behind "following" in this context?