FEARLESS TO FORGETFUL! #2

In last week's blog, we traveled with Gideon on his journey from FEARFULNESS TO FEARLESSNESS! (if you haven't already, I encourage you to read it.) We saw that it took a lot of convincing through God's spoken words, and signs requested by Gideon to move from being absolutely frightened and doubtful to being BRAVE enough to lead an army of 300 fighting men into battle against the Midianite army of 135,000 men. Remember Gideon's strange battle plan? (Actually, it was God's battle plan, not Gideon's). It involved just torches, trumpets and a loud, unified yell. No swords, spears or bows and arrows! Let's see how that worked out for them.

In total obedience to God's instructions, Gideon took his men of three separate divisions (100 men each) to the outskirts of the enemy camp in the middle of the night. Then, they broke the pitchers in their hands, held the now exposed torches high, blew 300 trumpets and shouted "For God and for Gideon!" The Midianite soldiers, who were sound asleep were terrified, and the kings thought a large army had surrounded them and were attacking. So, the enemy ran away! The LORD caused the Midianites to fight each other in the darkness and confusion, and the enemy army was completely defeated! A total of 120,000 enemy troops were killed in the battle, including the kings. Scripture tells us that the result for Israel was 40 years of peace! An amazing story, right?

Well, I could sincerely wish the account of Gideon ended with this tremendous victory for him, his 300 men and especially for God! BUT, there is more to the story! Following this great victory, the men of Israel approached Gideon and asked him or his son to rule (as king) over them. But Gideon did refuse! ". . . Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you' " (Judges 8:23). A great response; sounds spiritual and in keeping with God's will and purpose! We should applaud Gideon, right? WELL, let's don't be too hasty in commending Gideon!

How quickly Gideon moves from FEARLESSNESS TO FORGETFULNESS! He then made a request of the men of Israel; he wanted some of the battle "looty" for himself, no doubt because of personal PRIDE in what he had accomplished in the battle of freeing the Israelites from Midian. Instead of giving praise and glory to God for HIS MIRACULOUS DELIVERANCE through Gideon and 300 fighting men, Gideon chooses to take the credit for his own bravery and battle plan. A sin, to be sure! We must be extremely careful to never take credit for what God does, but always ascribe to Him the honor, glory and praise! The Scripture says, "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images. . . .Let them give glory to the LORD And declare His praise in the coastlands" (Isaiah 42:8 and 12). Here is the list of THINGS Gideon requested:

1) An earring from the spoil that had been collected from Midia.. The Midianites wore earrings of gold . . . "because they were Ishmaelites" (Judges 8:24). Earrings were their custom.

2) The crescent ornaments, pedants and the purple robes of the Kings of Midian.

3) The neck bands from the hundreds of camels that had belonged to the Midianite Kings.

The men of Israel were happy to accommodate Gideon's request. They said, "We will surely give them." So they "spread out a garment, and everyone of them threw an earring there from his spoil" (Judges 8:25). It turned out to be a very significant amount and value.

Now, for Gideon's downfall! He allows Pride to swell up in hIs mind and inner being (his heart and soul) and he chooses to FORGET ALL GOD HAD DONE FOR HIM AND FOR ISRAEL! No longer was it "for God and for Gideon." It was now "FOR GIDEON" ALONE! He excludes God from his thoughts, from his praise to God, from his intentions and from his actions!

Gideon plunges even deeper! "He made an ephod" from the materials he received and placed it in his hometown of Ophrah. In the Bible, the EPHOD was a sacred, apron-like or vest-like garment worn by the High Priest. It is carefully woven with gold, blue, purple and scarlet linen. (See Exodus 28:6-14). It was used to hold the breastplate containing the Urim and Thummim, which

served as a vital instrument for inquiring of the Lord, about His will regarding a serious matter of importance. (See I Samuel 23:9-12) The EPHOD functioned as a symbol of the authority of the High Priest and his role as a mediator.

So, we see Gideon moved away, not only from giving the glory to God for ALL things, to wanting the glory for himself. This desire and action perpetrated by Gideon then caused the people of Israel to do the same! THE POWER OF INFLUENCE IS MIGHTY! People tend to believe, embrace and do what they see their leaders do. I'm reminded of the Scripture that says, "from the one who has been given much, much will be required" (Luke 12:48). It establishes a principle of stewardship, teaching that those who are entrusted with greater resources, talents, opportunities and divine blessings have also a greater responsibility to use them ALL wisely! These blessings are not given merely for personal gain, but are indeed entrustments from God! Gideon did not choose to learn or embrace this truth!

Think about this! It can be very difficult to finish life strong! We must "stay the course," keep our eyes on the prize, always LOOK UP (not down or around), focus on Jesus, remain consistent in His Word, in prayer and in worship, and remain faithful to God in trust and obedience!

It is a tragic end to the influence of Gideon. He did not finish strong; he violated every principle and every action enumerated just above for finishing strong! As stated earlier, Gideon made an EPHOD and placed it in his hometown. Here is the "rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say. Gideon was very influential in the fact that Israel followed his example and again turned to idolatry, instead of renewing their commitment to serve God, who had actually and miraculously delivered them! Gideon knew it was NOT his great prowness or even his intelligence that had brought the victory. He knew it was the "hand" of their God! NO, Gideon set the example that the people would follow! The Bible says, "Gideon made. . .an Ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah, and all Israel played the harlot (idol worship) with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household" (Judges 8:27). A snare is a trap by which people are entangled and involved with that which is deceptively attractive! Gideon's whole family was again involved in idol worship because Gideon led the way into it.

What is happening in our family circle because of our beliefs, behavior, priorities, attitudes, and actions? Are we demonstrating an example of godliness (beoming more like Jesus) or humanism? Do we give glory to God (verbally and consistently) for ALL things or do we practice self-centered-

ness to the point of robbing God of the glory He deserves and demands? Are we like the FEARLESS Gideon or more like the FORGETFUL Gideon?

In closing the account of Gideon found in the Book of Judges, here are the lessons for us to learn from Gideon.

1) God empowers ordinary and fearful people to do extraordinary things through His strength

rather than through their own.

2) We must trust God despite doubts and fears.

3) Relying on God enables us to overcome insecurity.

4) Obedience to God over self-reliance is necessary for followers of Jesus.

5) Recognizing that God works through weakness helps to insure He receives the glory in ALL

things!

6) God sees potential, not just current reality.

There are a couple of additional thoughts worthy of stating. First, Gideon did manifest a great deal of FAITH in obeying God to deliver Israel from the Midianites! What brave man would even dare to confront a 135,000 enemy army with just 300 men, torches, trumpets and a loud yell? Most would say, it would require a lot of stupidity! But the Scripture says, "Where is the wise man?

. . . has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? . . . but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.. . ." (I Corinthians 1:27). So we read in Hebrews "for time would fail me if I tell of Gideon. . . who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises. . .from weakness was made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight" (Hebrews 11:32-35). Second, did Gideon turn from idol worship back to God? The Bible does not tell us. But we know if he sincerely repented and turned to God for forgiveness, then he found it. For all of us, it is not a matter of God's ability or willingness to forgive sin, but it is a matter of all who will sincerely seek and ask God to forgive them of sin. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). That is the promise of God!