Judges chapter 8 completes the story of Gideon but it includes some important lessons for us. The chapter begins with a lesson on how to deal with family squabbles. The tribe of Ephraim asks Gideon, “Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian… they criticized him sharply“. Gideon, with humility, replies by honoring his brothers, “What was I able to accomplish compared to you… God gave the Midianite leaders into your hands“. The result, “At this, their resentment toward him subsided“. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us, “A kind word turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger“. We have the ability to turn away or stir up anger when dealing with family (and friends). Humility creates harmony. Are you too proud to be kind?
Next Gideon and his 300 men are still in pursuit of the remaining Midianite army and its two kings. After crossing the Jordan River, he came to two Israelite cities (Succoth and Peniel) and at both he demands bread for his troops. “Give my men some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian“. Even though they benefited from the defeat of Midian, both cities taunted Gideon, “Do you already have them in your possession? Why should we give bread to your troops?” It seems they were playing it politically correct. Just in case the Midianites won, they did not want to be caught in the middle. As always, when we don’t take a firm stand, we are left in the middle of the road with enemies on both sides. It is important that we hold to the standards that God provides and stand firm. In anger, Gideon promises retaliation when he returns with the kings.
Next we read that the Midianites had ONLY a force of fifteen thousand men left after one hundred and twenty thousand had been killed in battle. Undeterred, Gideon and his 300 men, “fell upon the unsuspecting army… the two kings fled, but he pursued them and captured them, routing their entire army“. On the way home, Gideon returned to the two cities “and taught the men of Succoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers. He also pulled down the tower in Peniel and killed the men of the town“. Perhaps the victory had affected the once humble Gideon? Next after learning the Midianite kings had killed his brothers in a town called Tabor, he says, “If you had spared their lives, I would not kill you“. Gideon turned to his eldest son, Jether and told him, “Kill them!” but we read, “He was only a boy and was too afraid“. There is a sense that the boy is weak to act. As parents we need to be careful we are not spending all of our time fighting life’s battles but not taking the time to allow our children to gain the confidence to stand up to the battles they must face. Gideon does it himself. The Israelite said to Gideon, “Rule over us you, your son and your grandson because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian“. Gideon replies, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you“. His words are right, but will is actions follow?
The rest of the chapter Gideon appears to accept the trappings of fame. He accepts great gifts and made an ephod of gold and valuable stones. “All Israel worshipped it… and it became a snare to Gideon and his family“. Although Israel lived in peace for the next forty years, we read, “Gideon had seventy sons of his own for he had many wives… his concubine also bore him a son, who he named Abimelech“. The chapter ends with this sad commentary on the value of fame, “No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites prostituted themselves to the Baals… and did not remember the Lord their God. They also failed to show kindness to the family of Gideon for all the good things he had done for them“. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus taught His followers, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also“. Where is your treasure?