Earlier Judges
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answer soothed the anger of the men of Ephraim, and they returned in
peace to their homes. Firm and uncompromising where principle was
concerned, and in war a “mighty man of valor,” Gideon displayed also
a spirit of courtesy that is rarely witnessed.
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.
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,” 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. Thus thoughts and plans were suggested
to the mind of Gideon, by which the people of Israel were led astray.
Because he had been commanded to offer sacrifice upon the rock
where the Angel appeared to him, Gideon concluded that he had
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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. 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 many 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 altogether, to serve idols. After
Gideon’s death great numbers, among whom were his own family,