January 26, 2024

Gideon was pursuing the kings of the Midian with his 300 men, who had slipped away while their men were killing each other. Remember, Gideon didn’t have to lift a finger because God was handling this victory with trumpets, broken pitchers, and light in the hands of the 300. However, when the kings ran off, Gideon pursued them with the sword! The army was out of provisions, so they stopped in two small towns in Israel and asked for help but were denied. He promised them he would be back to punish them for not helping. After killing those kings, he came back to Succoth and used thorns from the wilderness to puncture the skin of the elders of the city, and in Penuel, he beat down the tower and killed the men of the town. Do you think God was still in this as he had been in the victory over the Midian? He certainly was! We need to be careful when those doing the business of God ask for help; though we must use discernment and watch to see if their actions match God’s will, we should be willing to help when needed. They had only asked for provisions like food and water! Who are we to deny when a valiant servant asks for food and water? 

Even though Gideon denied becoming the ruler over Israel, they had peace under his guidance for 40 years, but after he died, they forgot about God and began worshipping Baal again. We are but one generation away from losing everything if our children don’t honor God as they should. Teach your children about Jesus, and if they depart from him in their youth, maybe they will return to him after they realize that there’s nothing better out in the world.

Side note: Gideon was also known as Jerubbaal. He had 70 sons and many wives. We can see that he didn’t follow the rules but was still honored in the Bible.

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. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. Judges 8:22-23