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

When You're Popular

"Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, 'Rule over us, both you and your son, also your son’s son, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.' But Gideon said to them, 'I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.'" -Judges 8.22-23

Midian is defeated, Israel is free, and Gideon is offered the throne of Israel. He could have been king, and his sons would have followed him as rulers, but Gideon refuses. He points the people to God, declaring that He is king. He could have ruled, but he refuses. Why, I don't know, but we see here a lesson to heed.

Gideon does not capitalize on success for his own benefit. He delivered the people from oppression, and yet when the time comes for the people to repay him, he refuses their offer. In the height of his popularity he points the people to God. This was the reason God had empowered him. He delivered the people because they cried out to Him, and to bring them back to Him. Gideon is empowered to drive out the Midianites, and God has him do it with only 300 men armed with trumpets and torches in watering pots. God drives out the enemy, and Gideon, the people's champion, reminds the people that it is only because of God that they are now free.

Men, in you moment of success what do you do? When you're popular, what is your reaction? Do you take full advantage of it, trying to advance yourself as much as you can, or gain as much as you can? Or do you give the glory back to God, knowing that you have only succeeded because of Him? If you are offered a crown that isn't yours to wear, what do you do with it?

Gideon refused to take God's place as king. He could have, but he refused. In his moment of glory he directed the focus of the people to God.

Let us be men who don't take the credit that is God's. Let us be men who always point others to Him.

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

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor