Gideon’s Snare

Gideon’s Snare

“And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. ” Judges 8:27 KJV

 Bible Reading: Judges 8:24-27

Gideon led the battle against the Midianites and God gave him victory. God’s presence was with Gideon. God sent terror and fear into the camp of the enemies because the battle is the Lord’s (2 Chronicles 20:15). I pray that may God’s Presence abide with you and may your faith be rekindled so that you know that the battle is the Lord’s and you can rest absolutely on Him.

Today’s devotion is a reflection on the latter part of Gideon’s life. After he won the battle and delivered Israelites from the Midianites, the Israelites requested Gideon to rule over them but he did not take their offer (Judges 8:24-25). Rather, he requested that each person give him an earring from the plunder they collected from the fallen enemies. Gladly, the people obeyed and Gideon received earrings that weighed forty-three pounds. He made a graven image from the earrings and put the idol in Ophrah, his city. The Bible says that this singular act became a trap for Gideon, his family and the Israelites. At the end, the people went back into idolatry.  They prostituted and worshiped the graven image which was contrary to God’s commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exodus 20-3-5).

It is important to remember that when God called Gideon at the beginning, he destroyed the idols of his father’s house and this caused a huge controversy among his clan (Judges 6:25-32). However, when the battle was won and the victory was obtained, he raised a graven image which the people eventually worshiped both before and after Gideon’s death. Why will Gideon’s act be a trap for the people? The people had a problem with idolatry but stopped since Gideon destroyed the graven image. At least they had nothing to worship. Even if there was temptation to worship an idol, there was nothing to worship. But when Gideon raised a new image, the people returned to their old lifestyle of idolatry.

Gideon’s act poses some questions to us: Dear friends, how do we handle success? What do we do after God has given us victory over that battle? Do we make war bounty become a snare unto us? Do we make God’s blessings become a hindrance between us and God? Or does the job and the answered request take God’s place in our life and hence create a gap between you and your Maker?

May God give us wisdom to handle success and victory in Jesus’ name!

Daily Confession: Lord Jesus, I receive divine wisdom to handle success and victory. I pledge my allegiance unto You and You will help me that nothing will take Your place in my life in Jesus name, amen.

Hymn: Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;

             The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.

             When other helpers fail and comforts flee,

              Help of the helpless, O abide with me.