God’s people ignore politics at their own peril. Politics is not, and should not be, the focus of Christian ministry, but politics affect everything God’s people do. No, I’m not going to turn this into a commentary on modern politics. Once I got started, I would go on forever. Instead I’m going to look at chapter 8 in Judges and reflect upon how politics impacted Gideon’s campaign against the Midianites.

When Gideon called the northern tribes of Israel to fight the Midianites, he did not call the tribe of Ephraim. Gideon was following God’s direction, and God is not fooled. Even at this early time in the history of Israel, Ephraim was a powerful tribe with political ambitions. They wanted to be the head of government. They wanted to be in charge. There was a good possibility that if Gideon had called them to the fight, being the most powerful tribe, they would’ve wanted their leadership to take charge. However, when called, they seized the waters of the Jordan and killed many including Oreb and Zeeb. When they met Gideon, they seized the opportunity to challenge him, seeking political advantage.

Gideon did what was right for that occasion, and adopted a course of appeasement. He praised them for their victory over Oreb and Zeeb. He flattered them for the way they had fought and for the amount of plunder they had taken. Gideon’s humbling of himself was the correct course of action, and the Civil War between Ephraim and Manasseh was delayed for a little longer.

When the officials of Sukkoth and Peniel denied Gideon help, they were also being political. They were figuring odds on the final outcome of the battle, and they were gambling that the Midianites would still regroup and win final victory. Righteous people seek God’s will, and do what is right. The politicians did not care what was right, they only cared about what was beneficial and expedient.

The politicians failed Israel. Only God and His people provide a real hope of deliverance.