Gideon’s world of thorns and briers, carrying through on threats to destroy towers and cities, and decapitation and warfare all make me want to ask the question, “What’s the point? Why these hostile power statements?”
The towns called Succoth and Penuel were caught between two fierce armies, and their attempt to remain out of it went seriously awry. Israel has already seen a mere three hundred victorious soldiers free them from the Midian army, and even their rallying cry “a sword for the LORD and for Gideon” (Judges 7:20) shows that it was indeed the Lord who won the battle. Somewhere along the line, however, it seems the victors got off-course. Was it the rumbling of resentment (Judges 8:1–3) that prompted these reactions? Is this another case of the Lord’s triumph turning into human pride? And as if these unsavory events weren’t enough, yet another idol in the form of a gold ephod was constructed, and the people fell into the trap; they worshiped a man-made idol instead of the LORD.
In despair over our human condition, we could miss verse 28 altogether; it’s remarkably understated. The land had peace for forty years—a generation. What a reversal! Despite the grievous weaknesses manifested by Gideon, God used him to accomplish His perfect purposes.
That was Gideon’s broken world. What about ours? Do we reduce people with the thorns and briers of our words? Do we destroy other people to preserve our own personal security? Have we subtly created idols that trap people into false worship? These questions pierce our mask of self-satisfaction. And still, the author of Hebrews declares that the weakness of God’s servants was turned to strength of faith; among those noted is Gideon (Hebrews 11:32–34). That heartens the most broken of us all.
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43 thoughts on "Gideon’s Legacy"
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Happy Wednesday ladies! It’s been a crazy day and we even got a bunch of SNOW here. Ugh I can’t believe it’s already back. Praying for you all!
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Preach! Thank you for that!
SEARCHING- thank you ❤️
MICHELLE-so glad to hear that things are better after your dog passing and you’re not holding onto the guilt.
DONNA-praying for your cough and that there is an easy resolution to it
Lifting everyone up in prayer tonight
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TINA – preach it, Sister!
Hey, I just wanted to say thank you to all who prayed for my family when our one dog passed away recently. God has lifted so much of my sadness and shame/guilt for what happened. I am thankful for your prayers. God is good <3
Praying God hears yours tonight and blesses you, sisters. Love you all :)
“……And they will be as though I never rejected them.” What a hope He provides in just 10 words!
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – I love your words, “But that doesn’t dimish Gideon’s faith, his willingness to be a tool for God. It just highlights how we never stop needing God’s grace.” Indeed. His amazing grace, available to all, saves us, sanctifies us and sustains us.
Great thought Molly! Thanks for sharing!
Weary but pursuing! Keep going, friends
Hit the post button on accident again (sigh). To complete my thoughts… from being a fearful young man to becoming a bold warrior with God at the helm… a golden ephod becomes a stumbling block to him. Ouch. And yet he is still blessed with 70 sons and 40 years of peace. What a merciful and gracious God we serve. As many have mentioned… we aren’t any better than Gideon. I’m so grateful for all the goodness and kindness God shows me every day. @ Grammie Sue. Your description this past weekend of Steve’s exhaustion brought on by constant pain was heartbreaking. You and Steve are in my prayers day and night.
Zechariah 10:6, a beautiful picture of what our God does.
“I will restore them
because I have compassion on them,
and they will be
as though I had never rejected them.
For I am the Lord their God,
and I will answer them.”
What a let down. After having been shown God’s presence and will through the testing with the fleece and gaining victory with 300 men against over an army of 100 thousand.
So much goodness in these verses.
Zechariah 10:6 “I will strengthen the house of Judah and deliver the house of Joseph. I WILL RESTORE THEM BECAUSE I HAVE COMPASSION ON THEM, and they will be as though I had never rejected them. For I am the Lord their God, and I will answer them.” So thankful for the compassion that God has for us.
1 Corinthians 1:25 “because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” We can trust that God will give us wisdom is we ask.
1 Corinthians 1:28-31 “God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world – what is viewed as nothing – to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence. 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us – our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption – 31 in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Let us boast in the Lord!
I am thankful that God uses weak ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary! BUT, we have to remember that we did not do it. It is God ‘s strength manifested in us despite our weaknesses.
Two things I take away – don’t be afraid to step out in faith when God calls you
And after you do and you have a great victory, don’t let pride sneak into our hearts. Remain humble and remember God is the one who gave us the victory!
Gideon’s Legacy – I admit, I expected something more…well, something I would end up wanting to emulate, not commiserate.
I had to go to a commentary (I use Enduring Word Commentary as my go-to) to make heads or tails of it. This commentary on Judges 8:27 stood out to me today:
ii. Gideon was remarkably obedient and filled with faith in the extreme moment of battle. The routine of daily living seems to have been a greater test of his character. This is true for many, and the challenges of daily living are more difficult than those of the extreme moment.
iii. “Perhaps it is easier to honour God in some courageous action in the limelight of a time of national emergency than it is to honour Him consistently in the ordinary, everyday life, which requires a different kind of courage.” (Cundall)
How often have I lamented my mundane life of mothering/homemaking/caring for my family? How often have I been motivated and inspired by an extra challenging life circumstance or temporary challenge and the high of victory it brings? How amazing it is to be above the fray to witness God’s mighty deeds, His miracles only to head back down into the valley to plod along until the next mountaintop and slip into complacency, and spend my days cultivating my own pride of the last great deed – and forgetting it was God who had done the work and I was merely a broken vessel to be used by Him?
What legacy do I want to leave? Do I want my story to end “and it became a snare to Allison and her household” Lord I pray for my sisters today- I especially pray that You rescue us from the enemy and let our boasting be of You! Amen
My first time studying with She Reads Truth. I’m loving the pace because I feel like it gives the Scriptures time to soak in!
I know! I often roll my eyes at “these people” and then realize I’m looking at myself. God, help us all to see things and people the way You see them so we can be used like these warriors were used.
A nugget to take with us into our day—I love that so much!
Nothing can separate us from God’s love! Thank you God!
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I pray for the same! Lord, make me bold and unmoving in my faith. Show me my false worship. I’m going out with a couple of girls tonight to paint. They are not Believers, I’m pretty sure. Please pray that if there’s an opportunity to share the Gospel, I will trust my words to the Holy Spirit.
SEARCHING – ❤
ELAINE PHILLIPS – Thank you for this excellent devo!
“Despite the grievous weaknesses manifested by Gideon, God used him to accomplish His perfect purposes.”
The plan of our Sovereign God will not be diverted; our faithful God is waiting with open arms for us to acknowledge Him as the One True God.
SARAH RITCHIE – Amen! My nuggets are in the sentence above.
TRACIE GENDRON – ❤
TINA – Your “mumbling” is music to my ears, sister! Don’t stop! ❤
KELLY NEO – Nah! Hahaha
SHARON,JERSEY GIRL- YAY! ❤
DONNA WOLCOTT – Praying your doctors are blessed with wisdom, insight, and intuition that will lead to a definitive diagnosis and plan for treatment as of TODAY! Praying for peace that you KNOW could only be from God. ❤
Continued prayers for each SHE and continued thanks for each of you and for the blessing you are to all of us here! ❤
Proverbs 9:10 – “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.” Today’s verse of the day – Biblegateway
I’m know I have read past Gideon’s initial victory before, but all I remembered was the double fleece test and the way God selected the few to go to victory. Today, I see (am reminded of) what a mess Gideon was – the gold ephod, countless wives, concubine and …. – BUT as others have mentioned, we see him in the hall of faith in Hebrews. God is so good, so forgiving, so merciful and full of grace – beyond my comprehension.
CYNTHIA JOHNSTON – agreeing with RHONDA J that our work here isn’t completed, praying guidance for us all to walk in His will. Many times I look at the sin and chaos in the world and wonder just how much longer God will tolerate it, then I think of my unsaved loved ones and friends, and am thankful for a little more time.
CEE GEE – thank you for sharing, and reminding us that we are weak vessels- our strength comes from the Lord ❤️
ELAINE MORGAN – so true!
KELLY (NEO) – me either! (More sarcasm …) ❤️
TINA ❤️ my favorite mumbler ❤️
Praying for:
HL and CASANDRA ROSE – securing the job position God has in mind for each of you
RHONDA J – pain relief for you, and for your friend whose cancer has returned ❤️
LAURA – strength from the Lord (thinking about the Sunday School song, The joy of the Lord is my strength), replenishment, wisdom and guidance
MANDI – your son, wisdom and guidance for him, you and your husband
JESSICA H – your son’s transition from home schooling
DONNA WOLCOTT – your dr appts this afternoon, answers and path forward to healing
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – healing of your plantar fasciitis
It’s sad to once again see how a man who started out trusting God, ended trusting in himself – yet, he was still listed in the “roll call of faith.” God is so merciful, gracious & forgiving. He forgives our sin and remembers it no more! …needless to say, there are still consequences of sin even though they are washed in the blood.
Each new day is an opportunity to live right for God. May today be a day that each of us die to self, live this day in God’s strength and remember to give Him the glory!
@Rhonda – praying for your friend, & for your stiff neck.
@Donna – praying for your tests, wisdom for the doctors & that you will get answers.
@Michelle – continuing to pray for your family/home situation.
Have a wonderfully blessed day – and keep looking up!
Praising God that my weaknesses and sins do not hinder God in any way from loving me and working through me for His purposes!
Gideon was a man with his own flaws, yet God used him mightily. However, Gideon’s latter actions show us the tragic consequences when one takes their eyes off God and slips into idolatry. The Israelites, too, soon forgot God’s deeds and abandoned Him. Let this be a warning and an inspiration: to continually put our trust in God and not in man-made symbols or objects.
This study is challenging at 5am, I knew it would be. We sit each day because we know the Lord has something to share with us, a nugget to take with us into our day. It’s a beautiful thing.
GM She’s!
Man the story of Gideon was going so good, and then, once again, he/they/we turn back to an idol..whump, whump, whauuu. The story over and over of the old testament. YET, he is a champ! Whew, that good to know. God know we will still fail. (although usually it brings on wrath afterwards in the OT I thought..) But they had peace. The savior had not been sent yet, thank God I know I can get forgiveness when I mess up. The Holy Spirit lets us know when we mess up! That is sanctification. I should as a follower, want to do better just because I have a relationship with Jesus, otherwise it is legalism. Going through the motions to earn God’s favor. Thank you Lord, for Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to be our discernment!
Please say a prayer for a friend of mine in our pain group at church this morning as we meet. Her cancer has come back and expanded, the diagnosis is not good as she has chosen to not do chemo but natural medicine. She is so strong and courageous and has been such an encouragement to all of us in group this past year. Thank you! (also, my neck is STILL super stiff!)
@Donna – prayers for the test to reveal the problem and get the right treatment!
Amen Tina! Sisters may I ask for prayers today, I have two doctor appointments this afternoon and hopefully will find out what my 2yr old cough is. I have been having tests and seeing doctors for this for two years. I am anxious about what they will say. Thank you.
I love verse 25 in First Corinthians… even our BEST (strength and wisdom) is not as strong or wise as His WORST! Even though I’ve read that many times before, it just hit me differently today.
Are we like Gideon? I think we are. Take up God’s strength and wisdom today, sweet sisters. He is sharing it with us! Do what He would have you do, and know that.it is His strength and His wisdom that you have.
Rest for forty years in the land…. now wouldn’t that be nice?
Thank you Jesus for entering into our mess and still using us to accomplish Your purpose. Thank you for never giving up on us and turning our weaknesses into Your strength <3
Amen
Have we subtly created idols that trap people into false worship? What an insightful question. Do we give things to our children for moments of our own peace? Or give in on a value to a friend? There are so many ways we could inadvertently do this. I pray today that He will bring these things to our attention.
Thank you, God, for using broken people for your good
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The title of this devotional – Gideons Legacy. When we think of Gideon, we have to remember both the great warrior of God with amazing faith, and the guy that allowed his people to start worshipping idols again. He brought peace for a generation, but the foundation was built on sand. So in other words, Gideon is just like us. We have mountaintop victories and desert days. I was rolling my eyes at first at how this story is going to end like all the rest, with humanity once again messing things up. But that doesn’t diminish Gideon’s faith, his willingness to be a tool for God. It just highlights how we never stop needing God’s grace.
TINA – loved your mumbling ❤️
Gideon relied on God for the “big” things, but then on himself once the crisis was over. Hmmm. I’d never do that (sarcasm).
CASSANDRA ROSE – praying you find a job soon!
CYNTHIA JOHNSTON – praying that the Lord comforts you today
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – rejoicing with you
TAYLOR – thanks for the update
A forty three pound plus EPHOD? Seriously? That would be some weight to wear…
I looked it up, Thank goodness..
An EPHOD was a colourful apron-like vestment of sort that was worn by the high priests as was instructed by God.. This golden ephod, however, was like a statue, I guess..
What was that all about.. Gideon, built a statue of gold, an idol, that the people of Israel worshipped.. I’m sorry, can someone help me out here..
What was going on here? Gideon was appointed by God. God trusted him, gave him victory, and now this!
BUT GOD..
He still shows His love for Gideon, and the people of Israel, for there was a calm, a quite, a peace(?) for 40 years, as I read somewhere, you might say, a whole generation!
Gideon, was not perfect, but God used him, and He used him well in his time, even though, his sinful nature came through ( as does all of ours, at some point), with the collection of gold, the erection of the golden ephod, that was worshipped by the people, his women-harem.
He was weak, He had short comings, He WAS a sinner…
BUT GOD..
In using this son of Joash, He gets a mention in the Hebrews faith chapter, (verse 32) I mean, how awesome is that?
I had written him off as ‘one who lost the plot’, but here he is getting a mention with the saints we have known to be decent, and God fearing..
I think, all I can say is, our stories are written by God, and no matter the chapter of rebellion, sin, unloving-ness, less grace, hopelessness, shift in character, and so much more, God, is mighty to save, not just our souls, but our names..
I have mumbled, these were just thoughts, but I hope they might be of use to someone today.❤
Hugs, wrapped in prayers and love to all this Tuesday morning.. ❤