Judges 8:22-28
22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, your son’s son as well, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian!”
23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.”
24 Yet Gideon said to them, “I would request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For they had gold earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)
25 And they said, “We will certainly give them to you.” So they spread out a garment, and every one of them tossed an earring there from his plunder.
26 The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, apart from the crescent amulets, the ear pendants, and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and apart from the neck chains that were on their camels’ necks.
27 Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah; but all Israel committed infidelity with it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household.
28 So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel, and they did not lift up their heads anymore. And the land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon.
Gideon’s Ephod
Israelites’ request
Even a small misjudgment can sometimes lead to severe destruction in the end. Such a misjudgment occurred in Gideon’s life. Let’s take a look at Gideon’s failure. The Israelites pleaded with Gideon to become their king. They had experienced the benefits of kingship through their victory over the Midianites and proposed the transition to kingship for Gideon. However, Gideon refused this offer. He knew that the true King of Israel was the Lord Himself, and that a theocracy was the best form of rule. Gideon’s decision was correct. One must never steal God’s glory. “God-first” life certainly is the path to receiving blessings. The problem with the Israelites was not a matter of systems but of their unbelieving hearts. Are you blaming your problems on external circumstances or systems? Reformation must begin from within your own heart.
Gideon’s request
It was good up until that point, but what Gideon did next was a mistake. He requested the people to give him the gold earrings from the plunder they had taken. As a result, “1,700 shekels” (about 44 pounds) of gold was collected. Gideon used this gold to make an ephod, which was the priestly garment of the high priest. Regarding the ephod, there are two possibilities: (1) It was an ephod made with a large amount of gold, or (2) it was a gold replica (imitation) of an ephod. Why was this a mistake? At that time, the Tabernacle was in Shiloh, and the high priest who served the Lord was stationed there. Gideon most likely wore an ephod when inquiring to the Lord, but by doing so, he self-appointing himself as the high priest, rejecting both the Tabernacle in Shiloh and the legitimate high priest. As a result, the Israelites made an idol out of the ephod and fell into the sin of idolatry (fornication). This became the cause of destruction for Gideon’s family. Every great person of faith may encounter moments of failure. Therefore, we must be cautious of pride and complacency. Let us remember how a little leaven can leaven the whole lump of dough.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, help me remember that small failures can lead to severe destruction, and may I examine myself daily. Please guide me to live a God-first life. I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.