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Judges 8:29–35
“Thus the children of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal” (Judg. 8:34–35a).
In this passage we have further indications that, while he refused Israel’s offer of kingship, Gideon at least took to himself some of the trappings of monarchy. To his credit, he does not build a palace for himself; instead, he retires to the house he occupied before God called him to deliver Israel from Midian. There he enjoys the blessings of a large family and a long life. The large family, however, is due to his having “many wives” and at least one concubine. Furthermore, the concubine bears to him a son he names Abimelech, a name which means “my father is king.” Why Gideon would place such a name upon his son after refusing the crown is unclear, but some argue that it indicates that Gideon did indeed accept the monarchy while acknowledging himself as merely God’s viceregent. Abimelech, as we will see, brings ruin on Gideon’s house.
The saddest aspect of Gideon’s story is the conclusion. Yes, Gideon gives his people 40 years of peace. But reform is not accomplished during his tenure as judge and, as a result, the peace doesn’t last. After Gideon dies and is buried in the tomb of his father, Israel again “played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god.” The text tells us that they forget God’s grace in delivering them from Midian and presume upon it by once again worshiping other gods. Further, they do not show kindness to the house of Gideon. After all the good he did for Israel, the people swiftly reject all he stood for. There is no respect for his memory. The result, predictably, will be a new round of subjugation and misery. The pathetic pattern of Judges will repeat itself again—except that it is becoming clear that the pattern is not merely repeating. The “rest” brought by Gideon is the last recorded in the book of Judges. The nation is spiraling downward into ever viler evil and rebellion as God gives them over to their sin.
What is the message of Gideon’s story? This man, so weak at the beginning and faltering at the end, proved mighty indeed in the time of God’s visitation. Why? At God’s invitation, he pinned all his hopes to a divine promise and stepped out in faith. Israel, therefore, is called to look to God and to hope for a deliverer greater than Gideon. We must do the same, casting ourselves on our loving Father and the stronger, greater Deliverer He has provided—our Lord Jesus Christ.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
It is interesting to note that the coming of Christ is compared to the deliverance of Israel in “the day of Midian” (Isa. 9:4–7). But Christ’s administration as Deliverer is unending and the peace He brings will never fail. Thank the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit this day for delivering you from the oppression of sin.
for further study
- Isaiah 58:6
- John 8:36
- Romans 6:18, 22
- Romans 8:2
- Galatians 5:1