Sermon Topic: Gideon's Success and Failure (Judges 8)

Sermon Topic: Gideon's Success and Failure (Judges 8)

Dear brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus Christ:

In the last chapter, it was mentioned that God called Gideon to rise up to save Israel. He led three hundred warriors to sound the trumpet of victory and fought a perfect battle against the Midianites. And the perfect story of such a concerted effort to build great deeds can be found in many places in the Old Testament. For example, Moses used his rod to command the Red Sea to engulf the Egyptian Pharaoh's cavalry; Joshua looked up to Moses' rod and led his troops to defeat the Amalekites; the Israelites agreed and dedicated their wealth and strength to build the Tabernacle; and In the fourth chapter of Judges, Deborah and Barak lead their troops to victory at the Battle of Kishon. All these perfect performances point to God's final victory over and judgment on Satan and his servants. The last chapter is no exception. Its perfection is not only reflected in Gideon's exaltation of God's name, the less conquering the many, and the invincibility. It is also reflected in the number of 120,000 enemies killed on the spot. Gideon's 300-person death squad represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and each tribe killed an average of 10,000. Look, what a perfect battle.

This is the story of Jehovah God saving the Israelites. He is a faithful and covenant-keeping God. Although there will be temporary dissatisfaction, He will endure longer. He will always treat His people with unchanging love and grace until the end of the world. So, in the face of such a God, how did God's servant Gideon behave? In this chapter, we continue with Gideon's story, titled: Gideon's Success and Failure. Divided into three parts:

1. Gideon overcomes Gang with softness (1-3)

2. Gideon's revenge (4-21)

3. Gideon makes a snare (22-35)

1. Gideon overcomes Gang with softness (1-3)

Gideon, who was assisted by God, Gideon who achieved a fantastic victory, Gideon who was on the ground as in the sky, felt that he had returned from the sky to the mundane and troubled world, and he faced a test. That is why the Ephraims are not happy.

When we look at the scriptures, talking like this will really make people less popular, won't it--

1 The Ephraimites said to Gideon, "When you went to fight against the Midianites, you did not call us with us. Why have you treated us like this?" They argued with him fiercely.

The tribe of Ephraim has always been proud, and it seems that they also have the capital of pride. Ephraim was the son of Joseph, and Moses' successor, Joshua, was of the tribe of Ephraim. So when Joshua allotted the land of Canaan, Ephraim had the best land in the central mountainous area. In the time of the Judges, Shiloh, where the central sanctuary was located (Joshua 18:1), Bethel, the religious holy place, and Shechem, where God made a covenant with Immin (Joshua 24:1), were all in the possession of the tribe of Ephraim, and could be Said to be blessed. This tribe then became the leader of the tribes living in northern and central Israel. It can be said that Ephraim was greatly favored by God. But this is not a reason to be proud. As the people of God, being favored by God, you should be greatly grateful to God. Even great achievements are only received from God. But such is the sinful nature of man, and proud people never feel proud.

This time, faced with Gideon, who came from a small branch of the tribe of Manasseh, the Ephraims clearly looked down upon him. They ignored that Gideon was a servant called by God himself, and even the three hundred warriors were chosen by God one by one. He even ignored that Gideon led three hundred warriors to a great victory, giving the Israelites hope of liberation. Therefore, the Ephraim people find fault with this, with complete pride and disdain, they believe that it should be themselves who have the leadership. They were not bad before. They responded to Gideon's call, pursued the victory, and eliminated the two Midian leaders in one fell swoop. However, the spoils of war might not have met expectations, which made them very upset, so they came to ask for guilt. In a word, they are not actually coming for Gideon, they are coming for Jehovah God.

Later, in the 12th chapter of Judges, the Ephraim people followed suit and attacked Jephthah, the judge at that time. As a result, Jephthah planned to kill 42,000 people. Whether Jephthah went too far? No matter, but it can be regarded as a classic case of "it's not unreported, the time has not come". The character of the tribe of Ephraim was very happy, and it became a major factor in the division of the kingdom of Israel in the future.

What about Gideon? Faced with Ephraim's provocative words, Gideon did not get angry, but responded softly and wisely. 2 Gideon said to them, "How can I compare to you in what I do? Is it not better to gather the grapes left in Ephraim than the grapes gathered in Abi-ezer? 3 God has put the rice The two chiefs of the people of Dian, Orib and Zeeb, have been handed over to you; how can I compare with you in what I have done?" When Gideon said this, their anger was quelled.

This means that, on the surface, the Ephraimites seem to be just picking the grapes left after the harvest. In fact, without them, this war would not have been so successful. Because you killed all the leaders, so you take credit. The greatest are you Ephraim. Verse 3 also points out that this is the leading of God.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away fury, but harsh words stir up anger. Gideon did it. No matter what he thought in his heart, was he originally looking at the people of Ephraim and did not dare to offend him, or he felt that the people of Ephraim had indeed made great achievements in battle, or that the enemy had not been eliminated, and that peace should be the most important thing, maybe the three both. In any case, Gideon finally avoided a civil war or even a civil war. Gideon's humble and gentle attitude was pleasing to God, and his response made a crisis invisible.

But one wave has not settled, and another wave has arisen. Just as Gideon led the three hundred warriors to continue chasing the enemy, the next test came one after another.

2. Gideon's vengeance (4-21).

This part of the content is about chasing the enemy. In fact, there are not many war scenes like the previous chapter, but a few small episodes are mentioned by the way. Including Gideon's revenge against Midian's enemies and his revenge against his fellow citizens who despised him.

Throughout this chapter, one may notice a phenomenon that the scriptures do not record even a single interaction between God and Gideon during this period. And the scarcity of God’s words is not a good thing. It somewhat indicates that his relationship with God will decline all the way, and it also indicates that the relationship between the entire group of judges will decline all the way from now on. For example, Gideon's second revenge against his fellow Israelites may be said to be a sign and a harbinger of the beginning of discord among the Israelites and their tribes.

In this way, the above-mentioned appeasement to the Ephraimians was only the beginning of a dangerous prelude. Just as the Israelites were easily brought out of Egypt by Moses and Pharaoh was wiped out, the real test has just begun. In the wilderness, the people of Israel complained one after another, and the Israelites went around in circles, and they spent 40 years in this tangled state.

This chapter is no exception. Gideon successfully persuaded the provocative tribe of Ephraim, but in the face of a sneering compatriot, he couldn't help but retaliate. This is actually something to be sad about. In the last chapter, God's enemies killed each other, allowing His people to triumph. In this chapter, the people of God are fighting each other, which only makes Satan happy. What the hell is going on? Take a look.

4 When Gideon came to the Jordan, he crossed it; and though he and the three hundred who were with him were weary, they pursued the enemy. 5 Gideon said to the Succots, "Give some loaves to my followers, because they are tired, and I will continue to pursue Midian and the two kings, Seba and Salmunah." 6Shu The leader of the cut man replied, "Aren't Seba and Zalmunna in your hands now? Should we give the bread to your army to eat?"

In verse #4, Gideon and the others, regardless of fatigue, pursued the enemy bravely. In verse 5, when they met the people of Succoth, they wanted to ask them for some dry food to eat. Succoth was in the territory of the tribe of Gad, east of the Jordan and north of the Jabbok. In verse 6, the Succots listened with sarcasm, meaning that unless Gideon had captured the two leaders of the Midianites—Sebah and Salmunah—they didn’t deserve their food supply at all. In their eyes, Gideon was only 300 people, how much fighting power could he have? To put it bluntly, they simply did not believe that the Israelites could defeat the Midianites. In addition, they were also afraid that the Midianites would come back and take revenge.

Faced with such ridicule, Gideon retaliated fiercely. 7 Gideon said, "Well, when the LORD hands Seba and Salmonna into my hand, I will scourge your bodies with thorns of the field."

Then, in verses 8 and 9, the same request was repeated by Gideon to the Penuel people, and the same was rejected. Gideon again slammed the word, and when I have finished cleaning up the enemy, I will clean up you—"I am fair When An An returns, I will demolish this watchtower."

Peniel is the place where Jacob called it after he wrestled with God and sprained his thigh—so Jacob named the place Peniel, meaning: "I saw God face to face, my My life is still to be preserved.” (Genesis 32:30) But this time, such a beautiful place name that bears God’s grace, I am afraid it will be changed to—I saw people face to face, but my life could not be preserved! It also brings to mind that David intended to do the same with a rich man named Nabal, and the situation is somewhat similar. At that time, because the protection fee was not received, he was ridiculed by the rich owner instead.

The results of it? In verses 10-12, Gideon really returns triumphantly. Even if the enemy army only has 15,000 left, it is not easy to get 50 with one. But Gideon succeeded. God was with them. They didn't lose the fight because they didn't have food, maybe they found food elsewhere to replenish their energy. In short, the refusal of the Succoth and Penuel to provide, did not prevent Gideon from winning, because it was God's victory, and God will be responsible to the end.

So in verses 13-17, Gideon fulfilled his promise and took severe revenge on the Succoth and Peniel - 16 So he took the elders of the city, and the thorns of the field, and took the Succoth with thorns He taught him a lesson; 17 he demolished Peniel's watchtower, and killed the people of that city.

How to understand this matter?

To be sure, the Sukkots and Penuels had something to hate: when the national hero Gideon needed help, instead of helping them, they sneered at them with disdain. Because they didn't believe what the rabble in front of them could do to the Midianites. However, God often raises up people who are seen as lowly and foolish to accomplish His great plan.

Therefore, it can be said that the behavior of the people of Succoth and Penujile was not pleasing to God, so God asked Gideon to turn back and teach them that they should pay a heavy price for their ignorance and pride.

But on the other hand, should the Penuels killed by Gideon deserve the death penalty? Did their actions violate God's commandment to destroy? Of course, perhaps these slain Penuels were killed for resisting Gideon's demolition of the watchtower.

Gideon's motives for revenge are complex, ranging from condemnation of indifference and justice to his personal resentment for being ignored. In the last chapter, we saw Gideon’s inferiority, and he doubted again and again that he was not worthy of being chosen by God to take on the great responsibility. In order to inspire him, God took the trouble to lead him. Including direct speaking, accepting sacrifices, wool testing, and visiting enemy camps at night. However, at this time and at that time, Gideon's success has made him inflated, so he is more likely to be provoked by the contempt of the other party-why do you still look down on me when I lead my brothers to death and achieve such military exploits? The people of Ephraim looked down on me and found fault with me. I endured it. After all, I was only the youngest of the smallest tribes of Israel, the humblest of the humblest, but why should I be the Succoth and Penu of the tribe of Gad? Is Ela looking down on me too? Therefore, Gideon decided to seek justice for himself in his own way.

Today, resentment of this kind is not uncommon in church ministry—the practice of anchoring value affirmations on human evaluations is underpinned by the theology of justification by works. We should not regard the approval of people as the primary goal of our service, but should always check God’s will and obey God’s will. This is what Christians call success, believing in God + obeying God = glorifying God.

Of course, different theologians have different interpretations of Gideon's revenge here. This speculation about Gideon's motives here is not to betray his behavior. It is to see how the responsibility as a leader can be made more complete. After all, in the history of God's leadership of His people, a standard template for being sent by God to do justice is that when the Israelites violated the Ten Commandments and worshiped the golden calf, Moses unequivocally called the Levites to destroy the three thousand on the spot. the wicked. Afterwards, in the face of God's lingering wrath, Moses did not hesitate to intercede with his death, becoming a standard template for Christ's mercy. Gideon can teach these arrogant compatriots a lesson, or he can have other options, such as choosing not to take revenge after a triumphant return. So, is it not to pile coals of fire on other people's heads?

God used Gideon to achieve the purpose of teaching the people of Succoth and Penuel, but he did not necessarily appreciate Gideon’s behavior. This is the same principle as God used the Assyrians to discipline the Israelites. If Gideon did not hesitate to take revenge on his fellow man just for the sake of his own dignity, he would not necessarily please God, and he might even pave the way for his future disaster. In the next chapter, a certain act of his cruel and unlawful son Abimelech, which is similar to Gideon's revenge, may make one sigh: like a father, like a son - Gideon never thought, this The transmission of the vicious and sinful nature will actually backfire on himself and his sons.

Next, in the dialogue with the two captured leaders of Midian, it can be seen that the starting point of Gideon’s decision was only in the interests of his family and his own feelings, not in order to glorify God, save his fellow citizens, and complete God’s actions against Israel’s enemies. liquidation.

In terms of dealing with Midian's enemies, Gideon's three hundred warriors continued to play their triumphant songs with little effort, relying on the prestige of the previous battle. But Gideon wasn't so handy when it came to handling internal affairs. In other words, the main issue of this chapter has been turned from the external enemy, that is, the enemy of the world, to the interior of the Israelites, which can be said to be the sinful nature of the people of God themselves. Just when the external enemy was wiped out, and even the leader was slashed by Gideon, the real test was coming.

18 Gideon asked Seba and Zalmunah, "What kind of people are you killing on Mount Tabor?" They answered, "They are like you, and every one of them is like a prince." 19 Gideon He said, "They are my brothers, the sons of my mother; as the LORD lives, I would not kill you now, if you had allowed them to live." 20 Then he said to his firstborn Jithel: "Get up and kill them." But the boy didn't dare to draw the knife, he was just afraid because he was still a child. 21 And Seba and Zalmunah said, "Arise yourself and kill us; for as a man is, so is his strength." So Gideon got up, and killed Seba and Zalmunna, and took the things that were around the necks of their camels. Crescent circle.

The dialogue shows that there was a previous battle on Mount Tabor, in which several of Gideon's brothers were killed by the Midianites. After confirming this fact, Gideon's next words are rather puzzling - "I swear by the living LORD, if you had allowed them to live, I would not kill you now". Why did he downgrade a great just war against aggression and a national liberation war to avenge family blood? Perhaps, this is the real Gideon, or a Gideon whose thoughts and emotions are not stable. He seldom thinks deeply, and always does whatever he wants at any time.

Yes, Gideon was indeed greatly used by God to liberate the Israelites in that land. But his original motive was not for the glory of God, at least not entirely for the glory of God, nor was it to save the vast majority of his fellow citizens from the troubles caused by the enemy. He is more for the glory of the family, for his own glory. The humbleness of the humble has now become the pride of the pride.

So, next, Gideon asked his son to kill the two kings of Midian, perhaps to exercise his son's courage, perhaps to gain greater glory for the child and his family, or to accumulate fame and capital in power. But his son was too young to come forward. On the one hand, Seba and Samuel felt humiliated, and on the other hand, they felt that the child's low strength would make their death unhappy, so they said something - like a person, so does his strength. The original intention is that children are still young, how can they do what adults do. But the amazing thing is that God seemed to use the mouth of this dying enemy to warn Gideon how to treat others and himself. The same holds true for Succoth and Penuel, and even for Gideon. If your spiritual life is not healthy, you are bound to be unable to take on great responsibilities. Deeds come from faith. If faith is too small, how can there be good deeds that are in line with God's will.

Gideon had to kill the two kings himself. This reflects a proud attitude that he especially wants to be glorified for himself and his descendants. This can also be seen in the fact that he later named one of his sons.

Gideon, who has made great achievements, the Israelites want to support him and his descendants as kings. This brings us to the third point of the sermon.

3. Gideon makes a snare (22-35)

22 The Israelites said to Gideon, "Since you have delivered us from the hand of the Midianites, please rule over us with your descendants." 23 Gideon answered them, "I will not rule over you, neither will my descendants rule over you. , but the LORD reigns over you."

Did the Israelites see that it was God who was merciful and who called and helped Gideon to save them? not at all. They only knew how powerful Gideon was, and they only cared that they could finally be freed from the oppression of the Midianites. And Gideon's answer was really politically correct, a textbook-like answer, full of respect for God. Throughout his life, he did not become king. However, while we listen to his words, we must also observe his actions. What was Gideon's behavior?

In verses 24-27, before the word of not being king fell, Gideon turned around and asked the people to present their trophies, such as gold earrings, which may be the treasures that the Ephraim people had long coveted, and then made a gold ring out of them. Ephod, placed in his hometown of Ophrah. This makes people think that Aaron asked the Israelites to hand over their golden earrings and make a golden calf to worship. This act greatly provoked God’s anger and judgment, and caused 3,000 Israelites to die in this mutiny.

What did Gideon mean by making an ephod here?

Originally, the ephod was the tunic worn by the high priest during religious ceremonies at the tabernacle. It was worn over the blue robe (Exodus 28:31), with ornaments and the Urim and Thummim inside, which the high priest could use to Ask for the will of God. In the time of the Judges, the Israelites mixed with the Canaanites and followed their customs, which led to the decline of the pure faith, and derived all kinds of strange ways, such as making the ephod into a worshipable golden statue.

This act of Gideon presumptuously doing the ephod shows that he did not intend to lead the people back to the ephod, the high priest of Israel, to meet the ephod in accordance with the tabernacle, the entire priesthood, and the ceremonies built and established by God through Moses. God fellowship. At that time, the Tabernacle was in Shiloh, Shiloh was the territory of the Ephraimites, and Ephraim had once wounded Gideon and was afraid. Of course, Gideon did not want to condescend to go, and he must be worried about bringing shame on himself. Today's Gideon is no longer the common man hiding in his own wine press to thresh wheat. With his illustrious military exploits, he has won the strong support of many people, and it is difficult for Gideon to not expand himself.

Although Gideon became a judge, it was indeed a call from God, and no one could question it. But he should not be greedy to seek the office and authority of the high priest. His arrogance comes from his ignorance and even more from his pride.

Therefore, Gideon did not intend to lead the people of his homeland back to the ancient traditions of Israel to live godly lives. Now, the foreign enemies have been eliminated, and it seems that the Israelites are peaceful and peaceful. Of course there is God's grace and patience here, verses 28-32 say: The kingdom has been at peace for forty years. Gideon had a group of wives and concubines, and gave birth to 70 sons. Later, Gideon's life was full and he died peacefully.

Why was Gideon proud? Because he robbed God of the glory and took it all to himself, this will inevitably lead to pride. He failed God's expectations. In the last chapter, God once led the Israelites in that way, such as the second disarmament. He really took great pains, just because he was afraid of their pride. However, how terrified and humble Gideon was in the past, how proud and arrogant he was in the future. He should have pity, but instead of pity, he takes revenge on his fellow man out of pride, out of offense, and contempt. Will God be pleased? In the same way, this pride also made him face the two kings of Midian, the enemies of God who should be exterminated.

According to such a management as his, will his national partner get 40 years of peace? Not worthy of it at all. The peace of these 40 years is entirely the grace of God. But in the next chapter, God has doubled the retribution to the family, what a sad thing it is.

Why do you say that? Verse 31 is an ominous foreshadowing - his concubine at Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Gideon took a foreign woman as a concubine and gave birth to a son. The name "Abimelech" means - my father is a king. The meaning behind this name simply slaps his face with his extremely politically correct confession - 23 Gideon answered them: "I will not rule over you, neither will my descendants rule you, but the Lord will rule over you."

We read about this man in the scripture readings, and it was this ambitious and ruthless son with a name like this—my father was a king? Then I should be king too - killing all seventy of Gideon's other sons in one go.

Yes, this can also be seen as the scourge of Gideon's creation of the ephod, and sooner or later they will usher in the time of fermentation.

As verse 27 points out: Afterward all Israel followed the Ephod there and practiced harlotry, so it became a snare to Gideon and his family.

What is this snare? It's a sad ending. This ending is reflected in the tragedy of Gideon's family. There will be a full description in the next chapter. From this we can see that Gideon clearly wanted to consolidate and monopolize power through the ephod, but in the end he was lonely.

At the end of this chapter, verses 33-35, after the death of Gideon, the children of Israel turned and followed the Baals, committed adultery, and Ebaal. Billy Tu was their god. The children of Israel had forgotten the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hand of their enemies around them; and they had not been gracious to Jerusalem according to all the goodness that Gideon had done to the children of Israel. Baal, the house of Gideon.

God allowed Gideon to err and punished all his sons. The people in the country have long been eager to move. For years they had only been waiting for one thing, and that was Gideon's death. Because when Gideon was alive, all the people had to hinder Gideon's majesty and dare not make a time to worship false gods. In fact, there is nothing to blame for the people. The distance between Ephod and the Baal is only one step away.

In addition, Gideon made the ephod in this way, which also showed that the freedom he pursued was just like the Israelites who were trapped in Egypt. Although Gideon succeeded in driving the Midianites out of the land, he did not lead the Israelites back to God. Gideon was not a king, but his concubines and concubines were more than kings. His fertility was numerous, perhaps only for the transmission of kingship. But he was prolific and fruitless in the end, because the promises of God had left his family.

For God’s people, the success or failure of a person’s life is under the control of God, so they must know more about God’s will. What people think, say, and do, whatever is pleasing to God and seeking God's glory, is success; otherwise, it is failure. Taking this chapter as an example, Gideon’s meek persuasion of the Ephraimites is success; Gideon’s revenge against his fellow countrymen is failure; Gideon’s pursuit of Midian’s enemies is success, and Gideon’s creation of Ephod is failure.

In the snares of the ephod, Gideon, the well-known wives and concubines, became a great success in the eyes of the world and gave birth to seventy sons? Sadly, they did not please God and became a complete failure.

Opening the Bible, understanding and practicing God’s words is our lifelong homework. Gideon’s life had a brief period of glory, which was his humblest moment, but was instead exalted and used by God. May we learn more about God’s will from Gideon’s successes and failures, and strive to live a life that glorifies and obeys God. Amen!