Judges 8.
ONE hundred and twenty thousand soldiers of the Midianites and their associates, the Amalekites and the children of the east, died in the conflict (verse 10); about 15,000 remained, and these Gideon attacked, in the stronghold to which they fled, and took their two kings. Gideon pursues the enemy in the energy of faith, unmoved from his purpose by the attitude of others. To the men of Ephraim, who thought they had too small a share in the victory, Gideon answers discreetly, and their anger was abated toward him. “A soft answer turneth away wrath” Prov. 15:11A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. (Proverbs 15:1).
On the east of the Jordan we again do not see the same energy of faith as in the land distinctly of promise; this is as we have been led to expect, where there is first thought for one’s possessions, and God has the second place in the heart. The men of Succoth and Penuel disown the man to whom under God they owed the mighty work then nearing its conclusion, and on his return Gideon punishes them for their cowardice.
Israel now wished Gideon to reign over them, but he rightly refused, saying, “The Lord shall rule over you:” however he made an ephod (a priest’s garment supposed to have reached from the shoulders to the knees) from the spoil of the Midianites, and this became an object that practically displaced God—became an idol, a snare to Gideon and his house. A memorial of God’s intervention is not present faith in the God who has intervened. The time of victory is a time of peculiar danger, and Gideon failed.
During Gideon’s after life of 40 years, there was quietness in the land, but as soon as he was dead, the children of Israel turned to the worship of idols. How sad!
Must there not be a reckoning day when God will deal with those who turn away from Him? Yes, indeed. Not only did judgment overtake the Israelites then, but God “hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained, —whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31).
There is a solemn day of judgment awaiting this world, but “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth. in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:1010Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? (John 3:10).
Sinner, listen to the voice of the sinner’s Friend, Jesus, the Son of God.
ML 11/22/1925