Gideon and his soldiers are in hot pursuit of the fleeing Midianites and they are especially eager to capture and execute two Midianite kings. The leaders of the Midianite nation have severely oppressed Israel for seven years. The Israelites could not even bring crops to harvest because the Midianites would swoop in and destroy everything they grew. Chapter 6 told us that the Midianites had completely impoverished them. Gideon must make an end of these two kings or else they will gather more support, build their army even bigger, and return. Then the conditions in Israel will be even worse than they are now.
As Gideon and his men chase these kings, the officials of two towns will refuse food to him and his hungry soldiers. It's important to note that Gideon's request is being refused not by people unrelated to him but by his fellow Israelites residing on the east side of the Jordan River. In the book of Numbers, when Moses allowed the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh to claim as their inheritance the land east of the Jordan, he secured a promise from them that they would go with their fellow Israelites across the Jordan to help them win the land on the west side. This they did but now, when Gideon and his soldiers enter their territory on a mission from God as they seek the two wicked kings, they refuse to refresh them on their journey. Gideon doesn't ask them to take up arms and fight with him; he simply asks for bread. Yet he and his men are denied this small mercy.
"Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it. He said to the men of Sukkoth, 'Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zeba and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.' But the officials of Sukkoth said, 'Do you already have the hands of Zeba and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?'" (Judges 8:4-6) Why should they give bread to Gideon's troops? Because these men are their fellow citizens. Because Gideon is marching on the orders of the Lord Himself. Because the Lord is using Gideon to deliver Israel from oppression. Because to sin against their fellow citizens, by denying them bread, is a sin against God.
Since this offense is so great, Gideon speaks ominous words regarding the coming fate of the officials of Sukkoth. "Then Gideon replied, 'Just for that, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.'" (Judges 8:7) Why did these men refuse mercy? I think it's because they feared man more than they feared God. They don't want to give aid to Gideon and his troops because Zeba and Zalmunna have not yet been captured. This is what they mean by saying, "Do you already have the hands of Zeba and Zalmunna in your possession?" They are worried that the Lord won't give these kings into Gideon's hand and that, upon hearing they supplied aid to Gideon, the kings will come and attack Sukkoth. If the officials of Sukkoth had been living in close relationship with the Lord, they would have known He intends to give Gideon victory and they would have been more than happy to give their support in every way possible.
Gideon and his troops, still tired and hungry, move on to the next town. "From there he went up to Peniel and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Sukkoth had. So he said to the men of Peniel, 'When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.'" (Judges 8:8-9) There was apparently a tall fortress in Peniel. Gideon's words indicate that the men of Peniel trusted more in the power of man than in the power of God. Perhaps they thought the tower would keep them safe if Gideon returned in vengeance but they are not trusting the Lord to keep them safe from Zeba and Zalmunna. In refusing aid to Gideon they are fighting against God. They are shunning the One who is the strong tower and mighty fortress, for King Solomon said, "The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)
If only the officials of Sukkoth and Peniel had had the attitude of Solomon! If only they had said, as David did, "The Lord is my light and my salvation---whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life---of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) If these officials had revered God more than they feared the heathen kings of the Midianites, they would have received blessing instead of cursing. But as it is, when the Lord has delivered the kings into Gideon's hand, Gideon will return and make good on his threat.
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