And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house(Judg. 8:27).
Gideon had been slow to accept the reality of God’s call, but once he fully placed himself into God’s hands, he was used to bring about amazing things. After bearing witness to God’s stunning victory at the enemy camp in which over 120,000 Midianites and their allies had fallen by their own swords (Judg. 7:22), he had taken his army of 300 and tracked down and destroyed the two fleeing Midianite kings and their remaining army of 15,000 men (8:10). Midian, who had ruled cruelly over the Israelites for seven years (6:1), had been vanquished. Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon (Judg. 8:28). For a period of forty years, Israel once again knew peace.
The grateful Israelites had credited their newly gifted freedom to Gideon. They wanted to take him as their king, but he had refused, citing his allegiance to the absolute authority of the Lord who ruled them all (8:23-24). Although he had declined the title, Gideon had readily accepted the people’s accolades. He retired into the lap of luxury, taking for himself many wives and concubines and fathering 70 sons (8:29-31), one of whom he named Abimelech (‘the father is king’). He also had a golden ephod fashioned to serve as a permanent reminder of God’s greatness. While Gideon’s intentions in creating it may have been pure, the ephod soon became a treasured idol in the eyes of the people. And all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. Although peace continued throughout the land as long as Gideon lived, the stage was set for Israel’s next downfall.
How many of us today tend to follow in Gideon's footsteps? We love God, and once convinced that the call is genuine, we are anxious to follow after Him and perform the tasks that He sets in front of us. We excel at following His directions and taking action. However, when the actions have been completed, and God pauses in His instructing to say, “I have led you; now show Me what you have learned,” we falter. Instead of taking the initiative and diving into the Word of God so that we can continue during our time of peace (after the church has been planted, the mission has been established, etc…) to further His kingdom, we sit back and relax, patting ourselves on the backs for having served God so well. We then turn our attention inward, focusing on our own lives while we await the next dramatic ‘Call to Service.’
God wants our attention 100% of the time, not just when a big project is in the works. While it might take dramatic action to get His name out there, it is during the quiet times of heartfelt worship and prayer that His kingdom is fortified. When we neglect our responsibilities during these times, we undermine whatever we were able to accomplish for Him during our active phase. When we work for God, our job is never done.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord(I Cor. 15:58).
Thought for Today: We can claim the title of philanthropist while giving the bare minimum or refuse the title of leader while attempting to control everything, but we would do well to remember that titles mean nothing to God.
Christ Portrayed:By Gideon, who delivered the Israelites from Midian (Judg. 8:22- 23). The Lord Jesus has delivered us out of the hands of our spiritual enemies, and it is fitting that He should rule over us. Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world (Gal. 1:3-4; II Pet. 2:9; Rom. 11:26).
Word Studies:8:1 chide = contend; 8:3 was abated = subsided; 8:7 tear your flesh = thrash your bodies; 8:9 peace = triumph; 8:12 discomfited = routed.
Pray for Bible Pathway Printer:Pollock Printing, Nashville, TN • Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (63,742,977) Western Europe Islands • Major Language: English • Religious Freedom • 59.5 % Christian (Anglican,Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist); 4.4% Muslim; 1.3% Hindu; 2% Other; 25.7 % None; 7.1% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: If the words of God abide in you, whatever you ask in prayer you will receive (John 15:7).
Optional Reading:John 16