8:22
While they had had a number of victories, there was no change of heart in the people. So the Israelites wanted Gideon and his family to rule over them for generations to come. They saw Gideon, rather than God, as having saved them from the Midianites. This tendency to see a man or woman as being the key element, rather than God, is still alive in churches today.
8:23-27
Initially Gideon seems to respond well, declaring that the Lord will rule over them. However, he then immediately goes wrong, asking the people all to donate an earring from the plunder. This was then used by Gideon to make an ephod. There was indeed one ephod commanded by the Law (Ex 28:15-30), but this ephod became a snake to Gideon and his family. Israel worshipped the ephod, rather than worshipping the Lord Himself. We still need to beware of this tendency today.
8:28-35
Despite Israel and Gideon’s severe failings, they had peace for forty years, i.e. during Gideon’s lifetime. Perhaps it is significant that Gideon is referred to as “Jerub-Baal” in v29. Anyway, he went back home, and had many wives and concubines, in contravention of the Law. We will read of Abimelek (NIV) or Abimelech (ESV and others). Gideon died at a good old age. However, as soon as he had died, the Israelites prostituted themselves to the Baals.The Lord was forgotten, along with His actions, nor did they show any respect to Gideon’s family.
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