May 23, 2025
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Reading along with us in Judges, Proverbs, and Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 8 (NIV)
Zebah and Zalmunna
1 Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously.
2 But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?……Continue Reading
Judges 8
Judges 8
Judges 8
Gideon completes the battle over the Midianites and punishes those Israelites that refused to support the men who were fighting this battle for them. Of course they wanted to see Gideon rule over Israel, however, Gideon gives the proper response telling them that God is the only true ruler over the people, acknowledging that He really provided the victory. But this wisdom was short lived. What we then see from Gideon is more disappointing, it appears Gideon handled adversity better than success. Receiving success, riches, and prominence caused him to make poor choices and lead the people into idolatry. Isn’t this something we see in Hollywood all too often, Sweet, innocent talent starts a career and soon enough becomes a train wreck of bad decisions when given so much wealth and success too fast. You can not serve two masters!
Titus 3; Judges 4-8; Proverbs 10
Judges 8
Gideon shows a wise approach when people come to us heated and complaining: talk about what they have done and how better it is then what you have done. And how unwise and uncaring these 2 regions are not to provide for Gideon’s troops after all that they had accomplished. It is always better to recognize what has been done rather than just pointing out what hasn’t been. But it is also not wise to be retaliatory when someone doesn’t do something for you. It is a sign of the times, but not the ways of Jesus. We may not trust the person again and be guarded in our interaction, but we don’t punish people for not doing what we want. And Gideon gathering these earrings reminded me of Aaron and getting things from the Israelites to make the golden calf. It doesn’t appear to be Gideon’s intent, but the Israelites can’t help but worship something physical rather than God who is spiritual. And once Gideon is gone, Israel is up to their old disobedience and worshipping idols…
Judges 8
“I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” Gideon understood that it was God who put him in the place of leadership, and it was God who would direct him to rule over them. And the gold taken from the plunder was used to make an ephod. Probably not a good idea to use the plunder for such a significant garment given the fact that it was taken from wicked people in battle. So Israel chose to worship it over the Lord. Gideon must have regretted it because it eventually became a snare to him and his family.
”But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.”“
Judges 8:23 NKJV
Although we are spiritual, we have more faith in flesh; what we can see. God always wanted man/Israel to have Him as their ruler. It made me think of when Israel asks for a king.
”Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a king.“
I Samuel 8:4-10 NKJV
Judges 8