Judges 8:22-35

Something very important is about to take place in the life of Gideon and Israel.

They have been given Gideon to be a judge over them and with him walking in obedience to God they have had victory against their enemies. Now Israel celebrates their victory by asking Gideon to rule over them.

Verse 23: But Gideon said to them, “ I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.”

Gideon’s response was right. He knew it wasn’t because of him that they were given victory but because he was obedient to the things that God called him to do. It was God’s leading that brought Victory in the lives of Israel not Gideon.

How ever, Gideon would have done well to stop at verse 23’s response but he didn’t. He went on to say in verse 24-27.

Read these passages and think about what Gideon did and how his actions while they may have been an honest attempt to give honor to God it wasn’t what was needed. And as a result what happened to all of Israel?

1. Gideon asked Israel to give an earring and other items from the spoil. Verse 24 and 25.
2. From those he made an Ephod. Verses 27
• What is an ephod? An ephod is a sleeveless garment worn by a priest. Read in Exodus 28:6- to the end of the chapter.
Please note what the purpose was of the Ephod. How was it that Gideon was making one and to what purpose was it used based on Chapter 8 of Judges.
• Where was the garment placed? In the city of Ophrah and what happened? Remember back to Judges chapters 1 -3. Why was Israel not victorious in their conquest to take the land? Because they did what was right in their own sight. They did not love the LORD their God with all their hearts, nor did they walk according to the Commandments of God.
• The word says in verse 27; “All of Israel played the harlot with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household.”
o Take some time to think on Israel and why they seemed to be so easily swayed from one Judge to another. Why was it that they remained faithful when a Judge was given to them to lead them? Why did they quickly turn to Idolatry when the Judge passed away?
o How are you and I like the Israelites? Why are we so easily swayed and so easily distracted and “things” take our eyes off of our Lord and on the things of this earth? Why is this?
3. Verses 28-32 the Word says, that Gideon who is also known as “Jerubbaal” had many sons and even a son was born from a concubine and his name was Abimelech. He was buried in Ophrah.
4. Verse 34: “ thus the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal ( that is , Gideon), In accord with all the good that he had done to Israel.”
• They did not remember the Lord their God
o That God had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies.
• Have you ever done this? Have you ever just experienced victory in an area of your life and you totally acknowledged that God was the source of that Victory and then turned around and forgot Him?
• They didn’t show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal.
o Gideon/Jerubbaal was the man God chose to be the Judge over Israel and it was because of his relationship with God that Israel experienced Victory and peace for 40 years.
o How could they not show kindness to this man’s family?
• Have you ever experienced this? Ever invested in someone whom the Lord led you to mentor or lead and then they turn on you after you accomplished something wonderful together? Can you imagine how Gideon’s son’s must have felt? How could Israel be so short sighted?
o Ultimately, by Isreal’s actions and their lack of faithfulness they really were a people thrown hear and there.

Today, my prayer is that as you start your week that you will be reminded of Israel’s wishy washy attitude towards those they followed and the God they worshipped.

I pray that as you enter into each day that you will be mindful of how you need to be FAITHFUL in all things. Do not build for yourself an ephod and allow it to become more than just a garment. Do not allow others to take the place that Christ rightly should have in your life. Do not be a person who doesn’t show kindness to others just because the one who leads you isn’t present.

Israel did all of those things. They failed to Put God first in their Lives and to worship only Him. They failed to recognize that Gideon wasn’t the source of their Victory but that God was and when Gideon was gone their faith was gone too. They did not Love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind and strength and nor did they fear Him. (Deut. 6:4-15)

Lord, I pray that as we start our week that we would not be as Israel and put our trust in just anyone who stands and leads us but that Lord we would put our trust solely in YOU! Lord you put people in our lives for a purpose may we not loss sight in who is guiding them. May You be our King, our Savior, our Warrior, our Rescuer…… Lord, walk with us this week. Help us to be found faithful, lead us to victory in the things You have called us to this week. Let us remember to give you the glory and not to give the glory to anyone or anything else. Help us Lord to walk according to Your ways. May we love you with everything we are, may we be faithful to proclaim your greatness to all we come in contact with. Help us to be a witness of what Amazing things you are doing in us and through us!

I pray this in your name
The Name of Jesus,
Amen