Judges, Deliverers of Israel
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With the strong popular feeling in his favor, he found no difficulty
in carrying out his plan. At his request all the earrings of gold taken
from the Midianites were given him as his share of the spoil. The
people also collected other costly materials, together with the richly
adorned garments of the princes of Midian. From the material thus
furnished, Gideon constructed an ephod and a breastplate, in imitation
of those worn by the high priest. His course proved a snare to himself
and his family, as well as to Israel. The unauthorized worship led
many of the people finally to forsake the Lord to serve idols. After
Gideon’s death, great numbers, among whom were his own family,
joined in apostasy. The people were led away from God by the very
man who once overthrew their idolatry.
Those who stand in the highest positions may lead astray. The
wisest err; the strongest may falter and stumble. Our only safety lies
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in trusting our way implicitly to Him who has said, “Follow Me.”
After the death of Gideon, the people of Israel accepted his base-
born son Abimelech as their king, who, to sustain his power, murdered
all but one of Gideon’s lawful children. The cruel course of Israel
toward the house of Gideon was what might be expected from a people
who manifested so great ingratitude to God.
More Backsliding and More Misery!
After the death of Abimelech, the rule of judges who feared the
Lord served for a time to put a check on idolatry. But erelong the people
returned to the practices of the heathen around them. Apostasy speedily
brought punishment. The Ammonites subdued the eastern tribes and,
crossing the Jordan, invaded the territory of Judah and Ephraim. On the
west the Philistines came up from their plain beside the sea, burning
and pillaging far and near. Israel seemed to be abandoned to the power
of relentless foes.
Again the people sought help from Him whom they had forsaken
and insulted. “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We
have sinned against Thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and
also served Baalim.” But the people mourned because their sins had
brought suffering upon themselves, not because they had dishonored
God by transgression of His holy law. True repentance is a resolute
turning away from evil.