Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” Judges 8: 22, 23, NKJV.
Dear God, You are our God. You are the only true God. Please help us to worship You “in spirit and in truth.” In the blessed name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.
Our Scripture for today is taken from a narrative in the life of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. The period of the Judges is a rather interesting period in the history of God’s people. For one thing, it is the first time we see a woman in a place of prominent leadership: Deborah. She was a prophetess who judged Israel. Under her tenure the land had rest for forty years. It is also a woman, who literally, deals the death blow to Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s, army. He died a terrible death. Jabin was one of the kings of Canaan (see Judges 4, 5)!
It was also a time when “there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his [or her] own eyes” (17:6; 18: 1; 19: 1; 21: 25). It was a time of Baal worship, and of apostasy, among the people of God. Again and again the statement, “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD” appears in the Book of Judges (2: 1; 3: 7, 12; 4: 1; 6: 1; 10: 6; 13: 1).
It was the time when God raised up Samson to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines. It was also the time when Delilah appears on the scene and is used by the Philistines to deliver Samson into their hands. Under such circumstances, it would seem that there was no hope for the Israelites. What made the difference was that even though the children of Israel oftentimes forgot about God, and served other gods, God never forgot about them, nor stopped taking care of them.
At this point in our story, God is using Gideon and his fledgling army (fledgling in number, but not in valor), to deliver Israel from the Midianites. They have just finished pursuing and capturing Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Canaan. Then he returns and disciplines the men of Succoth, and goes on to tear down the tower in Penuel and to kill the men of that city, in fulfillment of the promises he had made.
The people of Israel, who, obviously, had never really been set free in their minds, were now willing to be ruled by Gideon, his son, or his grandson, or, all three! Throughout their history they seem willing to bow to anyone who appears to be greater than they are (Exodus 14: 10-12). They obviously did not act from conviction, but from impulse. They had learned to survive on instant gratification. Whatever works for now, will have to do. They are still slaves of their senses. Hunger & thirst: whatever tastes good (Exodus 15: 22-25; 16: 3). The beautiful: whatever looks good (Judges 14: 3). The sensuous: whatever feels good (Numbers 25: 1). Smooth messages: only what sounds good (Numbers 13: 31-14: 1). Leeks and garlics: whatever smells good (Numbers 11: 4-6). These are the things that seem to get their immediate attention. These are the things that they responded to.
Therefore, Gideon, if you and the men of your household can keep us from suffering, you can rule over us! At this time, Gideon sets the record straight: “the LORD shall rule over you.” Would to God, that he had ended the conversation there. Tomorrow we will continue with this topic.