Judges 8:1-35
Q.1. What made the tribe of Ephraim angry with Gideon? Why were the cities of Succoth and Penuel unsupportive of Gideon’s men? What promise did Gideon give them? – (Jdgs.8:1-9)
Gideon had sent an urgent message throughout Ephraim, requesting back-up to help him cut off the enemy from the waters as far as Jordan (Jdgs.7:24-25). They complained bitterly that they previously had been left out. When Gideon elevated their efforts of killing Midian’s commanders over his own efforts – their anger toward him subsided (Jdgs.8:3). Succoth and Penuel were in the territory of Gad on the Jabbok River, where Jacob had wrestled with the Angel of the Lord (Jdgs.8:5 & 8 c.f. Gen.32:22-31). The leaders of both cities dismissed the efforts of Gideon and his three hundred men and refused to provide food for them (Jdgs.8:4-6 & 8). Gideon promised reprisals against them. He warned the leaders of Succoth – … All right, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will thrash your bodies with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers (Jdgs.8:7). To the men of Penuel, he warned – … When I return safely, I will tear down this tower (Jdgs.8:9).
Q.2. How did Gideon defeat the remaining army of Midian? Did he keep his promise to the unco-operative cities of Gad? Why did he ask his son to kill the two kings? – (Jdgs.8:10-21)
God had given Gideon the promise of victory over the enemy (Jdgs.7:15). Two tribal kings and only fifteen thousand men remained of the Midianite army, from one hundred and thirty-five thousand, when Gideon – attacked the camp unexpectedly and routed them (Jdgs.8:10-12). To punish Succoth, Gideon captured a young man who wrote down all the names of the princes and elders of Succoth – seventy-seven men. He reminded these people of their insults and – He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and he disciplined the men of Succoth with them (Jdgs.8:16). Likewise, true to his word – he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city (Jdgs.8:17). He then spoke with Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian, and learned that they had killed his brothers (Jdgs.8:18). He asked his firstborn to take vengeance on the kings for killing his own uncles, but – … the youth did not draw his sword, for he was afraid, because he was still a youth (Jdgs.8:20). The kings challenged Gideon to kill them himself. He complied (Jdgs.8:20).
Q.3. Why did Gideon refuse to reign over Israel? What did he ask as payment for their deliverance? What did he do with the gold? How did Israel play the harlot? – (Jdgs.8:22-27 c.f. Gen.37:27-28)
After the deliverance, Israel invited Gideon to be their king. They offered the throne to him and his future offspring (Jdgs.8:22). Gideon’s reply was significant – I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you (Jdgs.8:23). Gideon requested that they recognise his victory by giving the gold that had been taken from the enemy (The Midianites were Ishmaelites – c.f. Gen.37:27-28). They gave him one thousand seven hundred shekels, as well as other ornaments. Gideon made this into an ephod, which he placed in his city of Ophrah (Jdgs.8:26-27). However, Israel began to worship this, as well as the god Baal (Jdgs.8:27 & 33). What may have been well intended, became a stumbling block to Israel (Jdgs. Chpts.17 & 18).
Q.4. Was Gideon’s polygamy a blessing? How long did Israel enjoy peace? Was Israel grateful to God and the one God used to deliver them? – (Jdgs.8:29-35 c.f. Jdgs.9:1-6)
Gideon’s achievements would have made him an attractive proposition. We read that – he had many wives (Jdgs.8:30 c.f. Jdgs.8:26). So resounding was Gideon’s victory, that the land enjoyed peace for forty years (Jdgs.8:28). As well as his wives, Gideon had concubines who gave him sons. One son was Abimelech, who would try to eliminate all the other descendants of his father (c.f. Jdgs.9:1-6). Israel’s appreciation for God’s intervention on their behalf was short lived. As soon as Gideon died, they turned to other gods – nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in accord with all the good that he had done to Israel (Jdgs.8:35). Gratitude has rarely been Israel’s response to God’s goodness. However, are we any different?