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GIDEON (IX)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
Judges 8:22-35

1 Corinthians 10:1-14

 

“…pray that ye enter not

into temptation…”

 

GIDEON (IX)
 
The account of the challenges Gideon encountered and the decisions he made teaches very important lessons. In the first part of Judges chapter 8, we learn the importance of humility when God is pleased to use us. In the second part of Judges chapter 8, we will see the importance of watchfulness and carefulness when God is pleased to use us.
 
“…Rule thou over us…for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian” (Judg 8:22). The Ephraimites chided Gideon and Gideon exercised wisdom and humility, and averted a crisis. The men of Israel, on the other hand, came with a proposal and invitation to kingship. After a great victory over a great oppressor, Gideon is no longer the least from a poor house in Manasseh, but the people’s choice for king. In addition to freeing Israel from oppression, Gideon appeased the arrogance of Ephraim. Israel was looking to put its welfare, present and future, in the hands of Gideon and his posterity. Again, we see that God’s assessment of Israel rang true: they were quick to forget God and trust in man. Gideon’s response showed how he had grown through the experiences he had. He declined the invitation that put him and his posterity on a pedestal because it was God’s hand that had wrought the deliverance. God can and will use men he chooses, therefore they ought to perish the thought that limits the welfare of the whole country to a man and his posterity.
 
“And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city…” (Judg 8:27). The last recorded act of the man who started by breaking down the altar of Baal and cutting down the grove was making an ephod, which became a snare to him and his house. Gideon sat in Ophrah, but God’s tabernacle was in Shiloh (Deut 12:5). This made the coming of Israel to Orphah (instead of to Shiloh) disobedience. But despite all this, God out of His grace, gave the country rest and peace forty years in the days of Gideon (Judg 8:28).
 
THOUGHT: Prayer and watchfulness is as necessary in times of victory and ease as they are in times of dire distress.

PRAYER: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt 6:13).

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