Beginning of the End

Gideon Demonstrates Humility

“What have I done now in comparison with you?” said Gideon. “Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God has delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. And what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Gideon’s modest answer, which revealed a spirit of courtesy rarely seen, soothed the anger of the men of Ephraim and they returned in peace to their homes. BOE 278.7

In their gratitude for deliverance from the Midianites, the people of Israel proposed to Gideon that he should become their king. This directly went against the principles of the theocracy. God was the king of Israel, and if they placed a man on the throne it would be a rejection of their divine Sovereign. Gideon recognized this fact, and his answer shows that his motives were true and noble: “‘I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.’” BOE 279.1

But Gideon fell into another error, which brought disaster on his family and on all Israel. The time of inactivity that follows a great struggle is often filled with greater danger than is the period of conflict, and Gideon was now exposed to this danger. A spirit of unrest came over him, and instead of waiting for divine guidance, he began to plan for himself. BOE 279.2

Because he had been commanded to offer a sacrifice on the rock where the Angel appeared to him, Gideon concluded that he had been appointed as a priest. Without waiting for divine permission he decided to establish a system of worship similar to the one carried on at the tabernacle. BOE 279.3

With the strong popular feeling in his favor, he did not have any problems in carrying out his plan. At his request all the earrings of gold taken from the Midianites were given to him as his share of the spoil. The people also collected other expensive materials, together with the richly adorned garments of the princes of Midian. From these materials, Gideon made an ephod and a breastplate—an imitation of those worn by the high priest. These actions turned out to be a trap to himself and his family, as well as to Israel. The unauthorized worship led many of the people to finally turn from the Lord and serve idols. After Gideon’s death, many people, including his own family, joined in apostasy. The people were led away from God by the very man who once brought down their idolatry. BOE 279.4

Those who stand in the highest positions may lead others astray. The wisest person makes mistakes; the strongest person may hesitate and stumble. Our only safety lies in trusting our life completely to Him who has said, “Follow Me.” BOE 279.5

After the death of Gideon, the people of Israel accepted his illegitimate son Abimelech as their king, who, to increase his power, murdered all but one of Gideon’s lawful children. Israel’s cruel way of dealing with the house of Gideon was what might be expected from a people who showed such great ingratitude to God. BOE 279.6