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Judges, Deliverers of Israel
353
rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule
over you.’”
But Gideon fell into another error, which brought disaster on
his family and on all Israel. The time of inactivity that follows a
great struggle is often filled with greater danger than is the period
of conflict, and Gideon was now exposed to this danger. A spirit of
unrest came over him, and instead of waiting for divine guidance,
he began to plan for himself.
Because he had been commanded to offer a sacrifice on the rock
where the Angel appeared to him, Gideon concluded that he had
been appointed as a priest. Without waiting for divine permission he
decided to establish a system of worship similar to the one carried
on at the tabernacle.
With the strong popular feeling in his favor, he did not have any
problems in carrying out his plan. At his request all the earrings
of gold taken from the Midianites were given to him as his share
of the spoil. The people also collected other expensive materials,
together with the richly adorned garments of the princes of Midian.
From these materials, Gideon made an ephod and a breastplate—an
imitation of those worn by the high priest. These actions turned
out to be a trap to himself and his family, as well as to Israel. The
unauthorized worship led many of the people to finally turn from the
Lord and serve idols. After Gideon’s death, many people, including
his own family, joined in apostasy. The people were led away from
God by the very man who once brought down their idolatry.
Those who stand in the highest positions may lead others astray.
The wisest person makes mistakes; the strongest person may hesitate
and stumble. Our only safety lies in trusting our life completely to
Him who has said, “Follow Me.”
After the death of Gideon, the people of Israel accepted his
illegitimate son Abimelech as their king, who, to increase his power,
murdered all but one of Gideon’s lawful children. Israel’s cruel way
of dealing with the house of Gideon was what might be expected
from a people who showed such great ingratitude to God.