Re:Verse passage – Judges 7:23-24, 8:1-9 (day four)
Which way is the wind blowing? That is the question the leaders of Succoth and Penuel wanted to know. These two cities were east of the Jordan. They regularly had contact with these nomadic tribes and they did not want to stir up ill will. Their goal was to get along with everyone and remain neutral and uninvolved. Take no stand on anything so nobody gets offended. Forget that God had given instructions regarding hospitality to your brothers. Sit on the fence so you can drop off on either side as needed.
Their unwillingness to commit did not turn out well for these two cities. In our spiritual life, we sometimes take the same position as Succoth and Penuel. Truth be known, we are either for God or against God. There is no neutrality in our spiritual lives. It did not go well for Succoth and Penuel…neither will end well for us. Each of us must take responsibility for our own decisions. Are we for God or against Him? We can’t be neutral!
