Judges 8

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, "Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian." But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you." Then Gideon said to them, "I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder." For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. So they answered, "We will gladly give them." And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder. Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels' necks. Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

(Jdg 8:22-27)

This is definitely an interesting development in the glorious account of Gideon. He has just chased down the Midianites (15,000 of them had remained) and finished them of taking their kings. He punishes the men of Succoth and Penuel for their unbelief in the power of God, and unwillingness to participate. Then, after killing the two kings of the Midianites, Gideon is put in a weird spot… the people want to make him king!!!

We see 2 things happen here, first we see Gideon’s humble response (a good thing); then we see his misguided memorial (a bad thing). Gideon, having done so well as a man of faith blows it big time… it seems like a small mistake, but it prepares Israel for a return to Idolatry. He had it right, the LORD was to be their ruler, their leader… he was to call the shots and direct their steps. He had ordained a way for this to happen, by setting up the tabernacle in Shiloh. Gideon seems to have forgotten all about God’s plan for worship and leadership, and it leads him to a grave mistake.

Gideon creates an Ephod. This was something only to be worn by the High Priest; something only to be used at the tabernacle. He creates it as a sort of memorial to what God had done, and it creates problems. You see, instead of pointing these people back to GOD’S WAY, he constructs for them a shortcut, a sort of easy way out. Right their, in their own city, the people were given a way to seek the Lord and worship HIM. Only, pretty soon it wasn’t Him getting the worship; instead the whole thing turned into stinky old religion. IDOLATRY… a departure from truly seeking God, now they were worshipping a silly Ephod! Even Gideon was ensnared by this!!!

So what is the lesson in this for us? It is quite simple; don’t turn yesterday’s victories into today’s idols. Gideon had accomplished a lot, but his job wasn’t done… if only he had restored the worship as God had intended! Our work is never finished; there is always more the Lord would have us to do! I pray that you would never turn past victories into present day idols that keep you from future works the Lord has called you to do… That would be as tragic as the end of Gideon!