Sunday, May 8, 2011

Gideon

Jdg 8:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
Jdg 8:23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

Israel was warned to not go after other gods, but they soon turned from their God. After much suffering at the hands of the Midianites the LORD sent Gideon as a deliverer who was a farmer. The battle plan was the LORD's and Gideon was picked as the faithful servant of the LORD. To prove that God had indeed called him, Gideon asked for signs concerning dew on a fleece. Once he was sure he was hearing from God he followed the LORD's direction. Following the miraculous victory over the Midianites, the people wanted to exalt Gideon and make him king. Gideon gave glory to the LORD; let him be king. A lesser man would take the honor and seek to exalt himself as king. People are flawed when they make idols of men or things. Gideon makes an ephod as a religious gesture, without consulting the LORD. This would become a stumbling block.

Jdg 8:24 And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
Jdg 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.
Jdg 8:26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.
Jdg 8:27 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.

645 Ephod:a girdle; specifically the ephod or high-priest's shoulder- piece; also generally, an image:--ephod.

The ephod became an object of worship, instead of the one true God. LORD help us all to love you and serve you and to not go a whoring after man made idols. We are not to make anyone or anything an idol in your place. We must not measure success by idols, monuments, or buildings. May all be for your worship and glory as we follow and obey you. Father forgive us in Jesus' name, amen

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