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Betrayed into Error, May 3
Judges 8:22-27
And Gideon made an ephod ... which thing became a snare unto Gideon,
and to his house.
Judges 8:27
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The people of Israel, in their gratitude at deliverance from the Midianites,
proposed to Gideon that he should become their king, and that the throne should
be confirmed to his descendants. This proposition was in direct violation of the
principles of the theocracy.... Gideon recognized this fact; his answer shows
how true and noble were his motives. “I will not rule over you,” he declared;
“neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.”
But Gideon was betrayed into another error, which brought disaster upon his
house and upon all Israel. The season of inactivity that succeeds a great struggle
is often fraught with greater danger than is the period of conflict. To this danger
Gideon was now exposed. A spirit of unrest was upon him. Hitherto he had been
content to fulfill the directions given him from God; but now, instead of waiting
for divine guidance, he began to plan for himself. When the armies of the Lord
have gained a signal victory, Satan will redouble his efforts to overthrow the
work of God....
Because he had been commanded to offer sacrifice upon the rock where the
Angel appeared to him, Gideon concluded that he had been appointed to officiate
as a priest. Without waiting for the divine sanction, he determined to provide a
suitable place, and to institute a system of worship similar to that carried on at
the tabernacle. With the strong popular feeling in his favor he found no difficulty
in carrying out his plan
Those who are placed in the highest positions may lead astray, especially
if they feel that there is no danger. The wisest err; the strongest grow weary....
It is a solemn thought that the removal of one safeguard from the conscience,
the failure to fulfill one good resolution, the formation of one wrong habit, may
result not only in our own ruin, but in the ruin of those who have put confidence
in us. Our only safety is to follow where the steps of the Master lead the way, to
trust for protection implicitly to Him who says, “Follow me.
[130]
5
Patriarchs and Prophets, 555, 556
.
6
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1004, 1005
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