The Failure of Gideon

In the book of Judges, from the first time God appeared to him at the winepress to the moment He led Israel to freedom from the oppression of the Midianites, God’s power and presence gave Gideon a deeper understanding of Him. Gideon refused to be king of Israel, knowing that the Lord alone was the ultimate ruler. However, he fell into another temptation: he used the golden earrings from the plunder to make an ephod and set it up in his hometown, Ophrah.

At that time, the tabernacle was in Shiloh of the tribe of Ephraim (Joshua 18:1). By setting up the ephod “in his hometown, Ophrah,” Gideon was in effect challenging the tribe of Ephraim and establishing his own authority. This counterfeit ephod replaced God, was worshipped as an idol by the people, and became a snare for Gideon’s entire family, leading them to their own destruction (Judges 8:27).

Satan knows the weaknesses that make each of us vulnerable and is adept at using what was once good to accomplish evil. Gideon destroyed the idol of Baal but set up another idol. He had a good start, relying on God, seeking His will, and obeying Him, but he did not have a good ending. He ended up causing the Israelites to sin against God. The moment we try to replace God with a tangible object or attempt to cling to some thing or feeling, an idol begins to form in our hearts. This was the last period of “forty years of rest” for Israel during the time of the judges. After Gideon, even the judges themselves would become a problem for the people.

The failure of Gideon reminds every spiritual leader that the natural human tendency is toward idolatry. Therefore, we must be careful to be rooted in the Bible and submit to God’s rule. Gideon’s story is both an encouragement and a warning. God is Spirit, and we are to worship Him in spirit and truth. Let us pray that God helps us to constantly examine our hearts and our relationship with Him, especially when we achieve what the world calls success. We must be cautious not to allow any impure thoughts to corrupt and change our relationship with God. May God keep our hearts right and make our feet firm so that we can finish our entire race on earth well.