Judges 9:1

Judges 9:1 says, And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Abimelech, Gideon's son by his concubine, went Shechem to his mother's brethren and talked with all of them.  Shechem was in the land of the tribe of Ephraim, and there is no indication that the elders there felt that God had chosen Abimelech to be the leader of Israel until he started promoting the idea himself.  There definitely was no record of God calling him to do so.  We need to be careful about following those who are promoting themselves today as the only way to be successful in following God.  Verse two adds, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.  Abimelech asked the people of Shechem to consider whether it was better for seventy sons of Gideon to reign over them, or one, Abimelech himself, who was of their tribe, alone to reign over them.  Of course, Gideon himself had not said any of his sons were going to be in power over Israel after he died, and neither had God.  We may be called on at times to make a choice that seems sensible in worldly terms, but is not something that God has called on us to make a decision about.  Verse three continues, And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.  The men of Shechem all spoke of Abimelech and asked the questions he had asked, and decided it was better to follow Abimelech, because he was of their tribe.  They did not consult God, even though they were a part of His chosen people.  We as followers of Christ should never make decisions in life based on what seems best for us without first talking to God about it.  If we do make decisions without praying about it, we will often make the wrong one.  Verse four states, And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.  The people of Shechem gave Abimelech money from the public treasury, which he used to hire vain and light men, or those willing to do anything for money, to help him in establishing himself as the ruler of Israel.  Matthew Henry says this was money given to the idol that they worshipped.  People today, even those who profess to be God's people, will often offer material support to someone who appears to be the best person to benefit them personally, without considering what God would have them do.  Verse five adds, And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.  Abimelech went to Ophrah and killed the seventy sons of Gideon, except for Jotham, the youngest, who hid himself.  Verse six continues,  And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.  The men of Shechem gathered with the men of Millo and made Abimelech king.  Of course, they were only a part of the entire nation of Israel, but they were making Abimelech king.  We cannot make decisions that will affect other Christians today without first praying and then discussing things with them if possible.

Judges 8:28

Judges 8:28 says, Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.  The Midianites were subdued, and the nation of Israel enjoyed forty years of peace in the days of Gideon.  Though we as followers of Christ may be at war with the forces of evil in the world today, we should be at peace with God.  As Paul said, whatever our state, we should be content, because we know that the victory is already ours through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house.  Jerubbaal, or Gideon, went and dwelt in his own house. Gideon did not demand a place of honor and prestige to live, but returned to his own house.  He didn't place himself above his fellow Israelites, and we as Christians cannot do that today either.  Verse thirty continues, And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.  Gideon had seventy sons,because he had many wives.  We know that even though many of the Old Testment leaders of God's people had many wives, this was not God's plan for marriage.  We may break God's law, and we will, as followers of Christ and yet still be led by God to do great things for His kingdom.  Verse thirty-one states, And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.  Gideon also had a son named Abimelech by his concubine in Shechem.  Verse thirty-two adds, And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  Gideon died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father.  No matter how long we live, one day we will all die, unless Jesus Christ returns first.  Verse thirty-three continues, And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.  They had already started to worship the golden ephod that Gideon made, but after he died, the people of Israel turned totally away from God and again began to worship Baal, and made Baalberith their god.  Matthew Henry says that Baalberith signifies the god of the covenant, which may have been an imitation of the covenant relationship between the people of Israel and God.  We may go seeking other gods today, but the one and only true God comes seeking us instead.  Verse thirty-four says, And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:  The people of Israel once again forget the true God, Who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies.  We as followers of Christ serve that same God today, but if we do not teach our children about Him and lead them to a personal relationship with Him, in a generation He can be forgotten.  Verse thirty-five adds, Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.  They not only forgot God, but they showed no kindness to the descendants of Jerubbaal, or Gideon.  After all, before delivering them from the Midianites, he had first torn down the altar to Baal and destroyed the grove associated with Baal at his father’s house.  I don't believe that those who chase after other gods will ever look at the followers of Christ with kindness.  They will likely tolerate us at best.  

Judges 8:22

Judges 8:22 says, Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.  The people of Israel asked Gideon to rule over them, and his son and grandson after him, because he had delivered them from the Midianites.  We aren't told that they prayed about this, and they were giving Gideon credit for what God had done.  Today, we as followers of Christ need to pray as we elect leaders, if we have that choice, and need to never give credit to anyone for what God has done.  Verse twenty-three adds, And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.  Gideon set them straight by saying that neither he nor his sons would reign over them, but that God would.  There are people today who say that they alone can rule a country, and very often they leave God out of it.  Verse twenty-four continues, And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)  Gideon then asked the men to give him all the earrings that they had taken from their enemies, who were Ishmaelites, after they had slain them.  We today should give everything that we gain to God, to be used as He guides us to do.  Verse twenty-five states, And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.  The people of Israel said that they would willingly give them, then spread a blanket and put the earrings on it.  (Though I never will, evidently men wore earrings even way back then.)  We need to willingly give everything to God, but I believe that we also have a responsibility to make sure that what we give is going to be used for God's purpose and glory, and not for some individual's enrichment.  Verse twenty-six adds, And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels’ necks.  There was a lot of gold in all that they had siezed, plus other valuables that they surrendered willingly.  No matter how much we may gain from doing God's work today, we must willingly give it back to Him and not believe that it is ours to do with as we so desire.  Verse twenty-seven continues, And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.  Gideon made an ephod out of the gold,and hung it in Ophrah, and people began to worship it, and it became a snare to Gideon and his sons.  If we begin to worship material things that God blesses us with today, instead of worshipping God, they will become a snare to us also. 

Judges 8:10

Judges 8:10 says, Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.  Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with fifteen thousand men, all that was left of their army after one hundred and twenty thousand had been killed.  They had escaped before the border was sealed of by the people of Ephraim.  Verse eleven adds, And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.  Gideon and his three hundred men, though tired and hungry, did not pursue them directly, but went in a in a way that would cut them off.  Even if we are tired, hungry and outnumbered as followers of Christ today and even if we have had great success in our battle against sin and evil today, we cannot be content and just sit back and rest.  There will always be more to do in the battle.  They met the enemy when they thought they were secure, or at night according to Matthew Henry.  Verse twelve continues, And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.  Once more, the two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna fled, but Gideon caught them.  They seemed to be looking out for their own safety and not concerned about that of ther men.  Many so called leaders are the same way today.  Verse thirteen states, And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,  Gideon returned from the battle before the sun was up.  God had given Gideon a quick and complete victory,  and though He may not give us as quick a victory over the forces of evil today, He has already given us a complete victory if we are obedient to Him.  Verse fourteen adds, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.  Gideon caught up with a young man of Succoth and had him describe the elders of Succoth, which numbered seventy-seven men.  These were the men who had refused Gideon's request for bread for his troops.  If we as Christians refuse to help our fellow Christians when they are in need, God knows our name and one day we may be held accountable for our actions.  Verse fifteen continues, And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?  Gideon came to the rulers of Succoth with Zebah and Zalmunna in his captivity, and said that they had asked him if they were when they so recently refused to help him, and now they were.  We cannot demand that those who need our help today show us that they are going to be successful in accomplishing what God has called them to do before we help them.  Verse sixteen says, And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  Gideon took these rulers of Succoth and beat them with briers to teach them a lesson.  He didn't kill them though.  I don't believe that we are to beat those who don't help us when we need help to more easily accomplish what God calls us to do today though, but we need to be in prayer for them instead.  Verse seventeen adds, And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.  Gideon then tore down the tower of Penuel, which they saw as their source of strength, and killed their leaders.  If we are looking to earthly things for security as followers of Christ, we need to realize that they are worthless.  Verse eighteen states, Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.  Gideon then asked Zebah and Zalmunna what the people that they slew at Tabor looked like, and they said they looked like Gideon and each resembled a child of a king.  As Christians, we all look alike spiritually, and we are all a child of the King.  Verse nineteen adds, And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.  Gideon told Zebah and Zalmunna that these men that they killed were his brothers, and had they spared them that he would likewise spare them.  If people do not show mercy to others today, they should not expect God to show mercy to them.  Verse twenty continues, And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Gideon told his son oldest son, Jether, to slay the two kings, but he was unable to because of his youth.  Those who are young in their faith in Christ today may not yet be able to do some of the harder things required in the fight against sin and evil in the world today, but we need to give them opportunities to grow in faith and do so.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.  Zebah and Zalmunna asked Gideon to slay them himself as a sign of acknowledgement of their strength, though they really hadn't shown much, so he did.   Gideon also took away the ornaments that were on their camel's necks, which were probably a sign of their authority.  If we do not accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, one day He will be our judge and take away all the things that we own and think make us better than others. 

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.

Judges 7:16

Judges 7:16 says, And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.  Gideon divided the three hundred men into three groups, and gave each a trumpet and an empty pitcher.  These are not exactly the armament that we would choose to go against an overwhelming enemy, but Gideon was being led by God, and so must we be today.  Verse seventeen adds, And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.  Gideon told the three hundred to watch him as he came to the camp of the Midianites and to do as he did.  We today need to look to God by faith in Jesus Christ and do what the Holy Spirit leads us to do as we face our enemies.  Verse eighteen continues, When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  Gideon told them that when he blew the trumpet that all that were with him would blow their trumpet, then so should all those on all sides of the Midianites, and then they were to shout, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon."  We today as Christians need to look to God first and always for deliverance from bad situations, and make sure that we give Him credit when He delivers us.  Verse nineteen states, So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.  Verse twenty concludes, And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  After breaking their pitchers, all three hundred held their lamps in their left hand and blew the trumpet with their right while shouting the sword of the LORD and of Gideon, as Gideon had directed them to do.  We today need to always do what God directs us to do if we want to be successful.  Verse twenty-one states, And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.  The army of the Midianites fled.  As long as we follow what God tells us to do, all our enemies will one day flee from us, if not in this lifetime, then in the everlasting one to come.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath. It is stated once again that the whole army of Midianites fled from the area.  Verse twenty-three continues, And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.  The men from other tribes of Israel began to gather together and pursue the Midianites.  God had limited the army of Gideon at the start, but He did not keep others from joining in once the battle was under way.  We have many other Christians joining us the battle against sin and evil today, even if we sometimes feel that we are small in numbers.  Verse twenty-four says, And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.  Gideon sent messengers to the other Israelites near by calling on them to join the battle, and they did.  God still calls on all His people to join the battle against sin and evil in the world today, and we are to do so by sharing the gospel..  Verse twenty-five adds, And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.  They took the heads Oreb and Zeeb, and brought them to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.  We don't need to bring the heads of anyone to any Christian leader today, but we do need to never let physical barriers keep us apart.  We as followers of Christ are all a part of the same army of God.

Judges 7:9

Judges 7:9 says, And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  That night, after reducing Gideon's army from over thirty thousand down to three hundred, God told Gideon to arise, get down into the host of Midianites.  God then told Gideon that He had delivered the enemy into his hand.  We may be outnumbered as followers of Christ today, but God expects us to engage the enemy everyday, all the sin inspired by Satan, and He has already delivered them into our hand as long as we are faithful to Him.  Verse ten says, But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:  Then, God told Gideon that if he was afraid to go down with his army, to go with his servant Phurah.  God gave Gideon a choice of acting in faith or gathering more facts, and I believe He still does today, even though ideally we will always act in faith.  Verse eleven continues, And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.  God told Gideon after he heard what the army of the Midianites were saying, then his hands would be strengthened to go down to fight them.  Gideon, though he might have been afraid, did as God told him to do, and so must we today.  We should never let fear control us, but should live by faith, if we have indeed accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twelve states, And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.  What Gideon found was an army of Midianites and Amalekites that were like grasshoppers in their numbers, and not their physical size, and they had camels without number.  This probably didn't encourage Gideon.  We may be outnumbered as Christians today, but I am not sure that we are ever this badly outnumbered.  Still, God expects us to stand tall in our faith and and face whatever enemy comes our way.  Verse thirteen adds, And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.  As Gideon and Phurah were spying, they heard a man of the Midianites tell of a dream he had, where a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, came into a tent and smote it so that it fell and lay alone.  Gideon,  who had threashed corn and made cakes for his friends was represented by the barley cake, and his small army and he, by the power of God, were going to destroy the Midianites and Amalekites gathered against them.  Verse fourteen continues, And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.  One of the other Midianites interpreted the dream as representing them being delivered to fall by the sword of Gideon.  Gideon may not have had total faith in the outcome, but his enemies seemed to believe that he was powerful enough to destroy them.  What we need to realize is that no matter how powerful our enemies may be today, God is infinitely more powerful.  Verse fifteen concludes, And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.  After hearing the dream and its interpretation, Gideon worshipped God and then returned and told his army to arise, that God had delivered the army of the Midianites into their hands.  We need to arise everyday, knowing that God has delivered our enemies into our hands, and then simply live out our day by faith.