Outside of the Calling

"The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments and the pendants and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the neck bands that were on their camels’ necks. Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah, and all Israel played the harlot with it there, so that it became a snare to Gideon and his household." -Judges 8.26-27

Gideon refuses the crown, but he requests tribute from the men he led into battle. He doesn't ask for much, just a single gold earring from each warriors spoil, but it adds up, and when added to the spoils he has already taken, he has some decent wealth. He goes home and makes an ephod, a priestly garment used in worship. Initially it was probably used to worship God, after all Gideon refused the crown pointing to God as king. But over time the item itself became an object of worship, and once again the people strayed from God.

In this act we see Gideon over step his bounds. The role of the priesthood belonged to the Levites, Gideon was from Manasseh. He has no business making priestly garments. This is not the role God called him to, and trying to do something outside of that calling became a snare for him. He had done so well in refusing the crown, but here we see that he lost sight somehow.

Men, what is the calling God has placed on your life? What lies outside of that calling? Do you desire more than God has given you? Do you seek greatness or victories that are meant for others? Be careful that you don't become ensnared like Gideon. It may not look like a physical idol, but it could be jealousy. It could be envy.

Let us learn to rejoice with others as they fulfill their callings. Let us humbly and obediently focus on what God has called us to. The calling may change and expand over time, but may we never try to force our way into things God has not called us to.

Let us be men who fulfill our calling.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor