Judges 8:1

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 asked Gideon why he didn't call them when he went against the Midianites, and chided him.  Too often today Christians get upset with other Christians because thay somehow feel slighted if these other Christians are being successful without them, but instead we should rejoice with them at their success if it comes from obeying God.  Verse two adds, 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 asked how they thought he was better.  He then asked if dealing with the remnant by the people of Ephraim was not as important as the other Israelites dealing with the main force. Today, cleaning up remaining sins is just as important as dealing with the majority.  Verse three continues, 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 asked them if the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, were not delivered by God to them, then they lost their anger toward him.  Instead of being angry at other Christians because they seemingly been more successful than us, we need to look to God and give Him the glory for what they have accomplished.  Verse four states, 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, though tired, crossed over the Jordan still in pursuit of the Midianites.  There were about fifteen thousand Midianites, and Gideon was still remaining true to God's telling him to take only three hundred men with him.  We should never allow the size of the enemy forces to keep us from doing what God calls us to do, even when we get tired.  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 men of Succoth to give bread to the three hundred and him, because they were weak and yet still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.  We should never be reluctant to ask our fellow Christians for help when we need it to accomplish God's will.  Verse six continues, 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 asked if Gideon had already captured Zebah and Zalmunna so that they should give them bread.  We should never demand a final result before helping people in carrying out their calling from God, especially when they are in great need of help.  Verse seven says, 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 since the people of Succoth would not help them, as soon as he was successful he was going to return and punish them.  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 then went to the men of Penuel and asked them for help, and they treated him the same way as the people of Succoth had.  The people of Succoth and Penuel were both of the tribe of Gad and therefore a part of the people of Israel.  As followers of Christ, we should never refuse help to other Christians, even if some who also profess to be do.  Verse nine continues, And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.  Gideon then told the people of Penuel that when he returned to them in peace, he would break down their tower.