Before we look at this chapter, let's consider what has just happened and apply it to our own lives. For several years the nation had been under oppression from the Midianites. This had happened because of the nation's sin. Nothing seemed to be happening to change the situation. Gideon himself was, as far as he was concerned, a nobody. His father worshipped idols along with the rest of the nation. Then things suddenly changed. Similarly, there can be (almost certainly are!) situations in our life where there seems to be little or no progress. Things can change very quickly. Just because it seems that God is doing nothing, does not mean that He has forgotten about you or some situation.
The Ephraimites had apparently been left out of the battle, and took offence at this. Given that the original thirty two thousand were whittled down to just three hundred, they wouldn't have had a great part to play anyway. However, Gideon answered them with kind words. There is a proverb that says a gentle word turns away wrath. We do well to heed these words.
Then we see quite a different reaction. The officials of Sukkoth failed to be helpful and took a rather arrogant attitude. So Gideon vowed to take over the lands. The same thing happened with Penie. He was successful in doing so.
So Gideon did indeed become a might warrior. However, there was then a downfall in his character. The Israelites wanted him to rule over them. At first Gideon responds well, declaring that it is the Lord who should rule over them, but then he asks for gifts of gold. He then made an ephod out of the gold, and the nation prostituted themselves before it, ie they worshipped it. Money very easily becomes a snare.
The nation failed to learn anything. As soon as Gideon was dead they went back to worshipping Baals, and showed no respect to Gideon's family either.
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