I’ve had a hard time writing this. From what I’ve already written, you know that I think Gideon was a great man. He was a man that was brave enough, strong enough and wise enough that God could use him to deliver his people from oppression. It is true that he was insecure, and lacked self-confidence. However, the Lord helped him overcome his weaknesses; (just as He will help us, when we ask and obey Him). Gideon was obedient and followed the Lord’s directions. He tore down the false gods and he led his people into battle.

When the need arose, for the good of his people, Gideon humbled himself before the Ephraimites. After securing victory, he punished the leaders of Sukkoth, but spared the other men of the town. Perhaps his greatest moment came when the Israelites offered him an opportunity to establish a dynasty for himself, his sons and his grandsons. He turned it down, and made it very clear that God was a ruler of Israel. He did accept a portion of each man’s plunder, and while it added up to a great deal of wealth, it was small compared to what the normal portion would have been for a military commander.

Gideon then made choices that would have tragic consequences. Gideon had his plunder made into a solid gold replica of the Ephod worn by the high priest of the Israelites. He may have intended it as a way of honoring the priesthood and God, but it became a snare to him and his family. His family allowed the Golden Ephod to take the place of the golden idols of their former false religions. Gideon kept the purple garments and jewelry of the dead kings. His sons saw this and dreamed of having power. Gideon practiced polygamy and sowed the seeds of family discord. Nothing indicates, or dictates that any of Gideon’s actions were deliberately willful transgressions against God’s law. Gideon did not recognize that he was playing with fire; so his family got burned.