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From Eternity Past
not to join their brethren. But when news of Israel’s triumph reached
them, the Ephraimites were envious because they had not shared it.
After the rout of the Midianites, they followed up the battle and
helped complete the victory. Nevertheless, they were jealous and angry,
as though Gideon had been led by His own will and judgment. They
did not discern God’s hand in the triumph of Israel, and this showed
them unworthy to be chosen as His special instruments. Returning
with the trophies of victory, they angrily reproached Gideon: “Why
hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest
to fight with the Midianites?”
Gideon Demonstrates Humility
“What have I done now, in comparison of you?” said Gideon. “Is
not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of
Abiezer? God hath delivered into your hand the princes of Midian,
Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you?”
Gideon’s modest answer soothed the anger of the men of Ephraim and
they returned in peace to their homes. Gideon displayed a spirit of
courtesy rarely witnessed.
[400]
The people of Israel, in their gratitude at deliverance from the
Midianites, proposed to Gideon that he become their king, in direct
violation of the principles of the theocracy. God was the king of Israel,
and for them to place a man upon the throne would be a rejection of
their divine Sovereign. Gideon recognized this fact. His answer shows
how true and noble were his motives: “I will not rule over you, 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. Instead of waiting for divine guidance,
he began to plan for himself.
Because he had been commanded to offer sacrifice upon the rock
where the Angel appeared to him, Gideon concluded that he had
been appointed as a priest. Without waiting for divine sanction he
determined to institute a system of worship similar to that carried on
at the tabernacle.