This story is about Gideon but it is also about your Chirstian faith journey
Who, What, When, Where, and How tool
Giedon was on his way pursuing the kings of Midan who had plunged Israel. Gideon was from the son of Joash the Abiezrite. Along his way he encountered other Isrealistes. These other Isrealites were from different tribes but were also victims of the king of Midan. Israel had a common enemy that terrorised them. It was the king of these enemies that Gideon was purpusing when he came across
- The Ephraimites. The Ephraimites Were angry that Giedeon didn’t call them when he went to fight the midianites?
- Gideon encountered the men of Sukkoth. Tired and exhausted in the pursuit to defeat the king of midans, Gideon asked the men of Sukkoth for refreshments. But he was met with insult, disdain, and ridicule. Gideon promised to punish them when he was victorious and continued his pursuit of the kings of Midian
- Tired and exhausted in the pursuit of the defeated king of midans, Gideon asked The men of Peniel for refreshments. But he was met with insult, disdain, and ridicule. Gideon promised to punish them when he was victorious and continued his pursuit of the kings of Midian
Giedeon completed his mission, captured the kings of midans and defeated their armies though tired and exhausted. God gave him victoritory.
Gideon dealt with the men of Sukkoth and Peniel as he promised when they ridiculed him
After securing the victory, Israel wanted Gideon to rule over them. But Giedeon pointed Israel back to God. Saying God who will rule over Israel.
However Gideon asked for earrings which he melted and made an Ephod for himself. but instead of Israel to allow God’s rule over them, they worshiped Gideon’s ephod. This became a snare to Gideon.
After Gideon’s death, Israel turned back to Idol worshipping and did not show loyalty to Giden’s family.
Using the – What does it mean tool?
Why were the Ephraimites so upset with Gideon, that you will find in Gideon’s reply to them. He told the Ephraimites that their grapes were better than the whole harvest in his father’s.They wanted their ego stoked. Because Gideon was still in pursuit of the midan’s kings so if truly they were interested in defeating the common enemy of Israel, they should have joined in the pursuit.
The Ephraimites who did not put their zeal to work, and were jealous of Giden. But Gideon instead of being distracted by this used his humble reply to stroke Ephraimites ego and focused on the task God had given him. (Gideon was not distracted)
The purse in the work of God though tired and exhausted, and those who were Israelites themselves, their actions showed they were not aligned to God’s cause. And would not assist those who were. Gideon did not get discouraged by this, but rather continued his God given mission. (Gideon was not discouraged)
Gideon would not share God’s glory. God was the ruler over Israel. He recognised his victory was from God and he gave glory to God.
However, Geidoen made a mistake by making an Ephod. – What is an Ephod? Why did Gideon make one?
The first time we see Ephod mentioned in the bible is in Exodus, when the priestly garment was being made, it was made with stones, gold. And only the priest wore as a remembrance. An Isreal used the stones from the priest ephod as a form of direction. And it was made with God’s direction to Moses and only the priest wore it
Why did Gideon need to make an ephod? He was not a priest? Was it to serve his insecurities. Because we see Gideon in his earlier encounter with God asking for a fleece (Judges 6:36-40 if you are God turn, let this fleece be filled with dew and its surrounding dry. And Gideon also asked if you are God turn, let this fleece be dry and its surrounding wet with dew).
How does it apply to me today?
When we are on a mission for God, there are those who will oppose us. We should not focus on the opposition or turn our energy on them. Because if we start to fight the opposition we become distracted from doing what God has assigned us to do. The lesson is Do not be distracted
When it seems these you think would encourage you are actually indifferent. Do not be discouraged, continue in the task God has given you.
Always remember to Give glory to God for all your successes.
Why we are not told explicitly why Gideon made this ephod there are many lessons for us today to always check the scriptures to confirm the validity of the messages we hear.