Judges 8:1 says, And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.  The men of Ephraim came to Gideon and asked why he hadn't called them to fight the Midianites.  Then, they chastised him sharply.  Gideon was God's chosen leader acting under God's authority and being very successful in leading them to defeat the Midianites through God's power and direction, but the men of Ephraim were angry with him.  We do not need to get upset when God is being victorious in some areas without us, and we certainly do not need to be angry with those that God is working through to bring success without us.  Verse two states,  And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?  Gideon basically asked them what had he done that would compare to what they had already done.  He did not get angry and tell them that they had no right to question him because he was he was God's chosen representative.  We should never get angry with our fellow believers if they question us when we are doing something for God today, but should let them know that we realize that they are also working to advance God's kingdom.  Verse three adds, God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.  Gideon gave the credit to God and said that God had delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, into the hands of the men of Ephraim, and what could Gideon do that was greater than that, and the men of Ephraim were appeased.  We really shouldn't have to appease other Christians when we are doing what God calls us to do, but if we have to, it should never be done out of anger toward them.  Verse four declares, And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.  Gideon and the three hundred men with him passed over the Jordan.  They were still pursuing the enemy, though they were faint, or physically weak.  Verse five adds, And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.  Gideon asked the people of Succoth to feed the men of Israel who were following him, because they were physically weak from lack of food.  We today at times may find ourselves weak from doing what God calls us to do, and at times we may need the people of this world to offer us sustenance, but we should never stop doing what God has called us to do because we have grown tired.  Verse six says, And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?  The people of Succoth wanted to know if Gideon and his army had already defeated Zebah and Zalmunna so that they should feed  Gideon's army.  They were evidently still concerned about being seen as being disloyal to these two kings in case Gideon failed.  Even though Gideon's victory was assured, the people of Succoth had not seen it yet and were reluctant to trust in it happening.  Even though God's victory is assured today, many people cannot see physical evidence of it and are reluctant to put their faith in Him.  Verse seven states, And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.  Gideon said that when God had delivered these two kings that he would tear the flesh of the men of Succoth with thorns of the wilderness and briars.  He didn't say that he would kill them, but he did say that they would be held accountable if they didn't help.  Verse eight adds, And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.  Gideon also asked the people of Penuel to do the same as he had asked the people of Succoth to do, and they answered him the same way.  Verse nine concludes, And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.  Gideon told the people of Penuel that when he came again in peace, which would be after he defeated Zebah and Zalmunna, he would tear down the tower of their city.  When we come to others through victory in Christ, we must tear down all their defenses if we are going to reach them with His word.  Just as Gideon was sure of victory in that day, so can we be today if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.