In class, we just finished up the study of Gideon in Judges 8. His crowning moment was in vs 23: "But Gideon told them, 'I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.'" He reminded Israel that only God was to be their one true King. Gideon's story would've ended nicely, if after vs 24, it would have just jumped to vs 28 and finished there: "Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon's lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years." However, the rest of the passage (vs 25-27, and 29-35) shows us that he did not finish so well, with making an ephod that became an idol and with his many wives and concubine. The end of Gideon's life wasn't as glorifying to God as it could've been, due to his unwise choices. He may even have had good intentions when making the ephod, but, good intentions alone are not enough to make it wise or right. One lesson I learned from this is that I should avoid "writing" anything into my life's story that I would want erased. And, I was reminded of how important it is to be faithful to the end and to finish well.
Another lesson from the passage came in vs 1-3, when Gideon was confronted by the Ephraimites. While the tribe of Ephraim was used to being the leader over Manasseh (Gideon's tribe) in the House of Joseph; their attitude revealed that their hearts were in conflict with God's purpose. God said that the odds in the battle would show that it was God who gave the Israelites victory over the Midianites, so that all glory would go to HIM. Those with self-seeking self-aggrandizing hearts do not have the right attitudes to be able to be used of God. May I always have a humble heart, ready to serve HIM and to be used by HIM.
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