Taking the Credit

Seth

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Introduction

Gideon gives a great diplomatic answer diminishing his role in the victory and lifting up the tribe of Ephraim by pointing out that they were able to get the real trophies of victory; the commanders of Midian Oreb and Zeeb.

Gideon answers Ephraim with a psychological response rather than a theological one.

This episode reveals the division amidst the tribes and highlights pride on the part of Ephraim. They “are self-centered” with an”inflated estimation of their significance within the nation”.

Was Gideon’s pursuit of the two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, a personal crusade or part of God’s deliverance?

Furthering the issue of tribal disection is Gideon’s response to Succoth and the even harsher punishment he carried out on the people of Penuel.

Introduction:

Ephraim Wanted the Glory (8:1-3)

Ephraim was more upset that they were not able to participate in the initial conflict with Midian. Why would Ephraim care if they were called to fight or not? Why were they not rejoicing over the victory that Yaweh had won for Israel? Ephraim was a selfish tribe that was not viewing the latest military victory from a nationalistic view, but from a self-absorbed view that, in their view, had excluded them from staking claim to some or all of the glories of victory.

Gideon chose to play political diplomat with Ephraim rather than pointing everyone back to the person of victory and the person that deserved the glory for the victory over their enemies. Instead, Gideon swee talks the men of Ephraim by stroking their ego. He robs God of his glory by giving a pat on the back to the people of Ephraim for capturing the commanders of the Midian Army, Oreb and Zeeb.

Succoth and Penuel Offered No Glory (8:4-17)

The men of Succoth and Penuel both denied Gideon’s request for bread and nourishment for the men that had fought for the victory of their land. In both these place none of the residence offered glory to God or glory to Gideon. Gideon, a chosen vessel of God, was met with resistance.

Some say this resistance was rooted in the fact that Gideon was no longer on a mission to free Israel from Midian rule, but he was now out for vengence against the Midianites for various crimes against him personally. Thus, the thinking of the men of Succoth and Penuel was that they were not obligated to Gideon to accomplish his personal vendetta.

While the men of Succoth and Penuel were not completely wrong in this assumed opinion there was no glory given to Yaweh for the victory against Midian. No celebration, no sacrificing, no repentance, and no worship of Yaweh for moving on their behalf.

Gideon would return to punish the men of Succoth and Penuel for their refusal to help. Nowhere does the Bible give Gideon cause and certainly he went beyond the scope of his authority when he killed all the men of Penuel. Given that they were fellow Israelites and not of the population of Canaan Gideon actually violated Mosaic law in his discipline of the men of Penuel. His actions resembled that of a king over his people, not a vessel used of God for the victory of his people. In this Gideon, brought glory to himself.

The Men of Israel Gave Glory to Gideon (8:18-23)

In his conversation with the Zebah and Zalmunna Gideon would reveal his own personal vendetta against them. He speaks of the death of his brethren at the hands of these two Midianite kings. Then Gideon gives the command to his son to kill the kings. His son is hesitant so Gideon does the deed himself.

After Gideon kills the kings the men of Israel come to Gideon and offers to make him king and to establish a dynastic regime in Israel. After all the men had seen Yaweh do against the Midianites they still came to Gideon and gave him the glory. They offered him the only glory they knew to offer a man and that was the throne of their kingdom.

In his heart Gideon knows this is wrong and at first glance seems to respond with rightful praise and godly character. He says, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.” From this we would give Gideon a pat on the back and tell him he did the right thing. The men of Israel sought to give him the glory for the victory, but he refused their glory, right?

Not so fast.

Gideon Claims Glory for Himself (8:24-27)

4. Gideon Claims Glory for Himself (8:24-27)

Gideon refused the glory put upon him by the men of Israel; the right to be their king and rule over them. Did he? Let’s examine his actions after his seemily courageous and bold statement about refusing to rule over them.

A. He asked for a portion of the spoils (24)

Gideon says, “I will not rule over you” and then turns to them and asked for a portion of their spoils. In Israel it was customary that every man that fought in the battle shared in the spoils of war. Often, it was an enriching experience for those that were given their portion.

Gideon goes beyond that of taking his own portion, but request of all of his men under him to give him a cut of their portion. This was nothing less than the act of a king demanding a portion of the spoils from his vassals. This was the act of every Canaanite king after a successful military campaign. There is no doubt about it; this was a request of a king.

The spoils that Gideon received was equivalent to over 80 pounds of gold. This was a treasure meant for a king, not a portion of spoils for a warrior.

B. He took all the spoils from the kings of Midian

Only the king was entitled to the spoils of the kings themselves. Gideon did not share in the spoils of Zebah and Zalmunna. He took of their spoils exclusively. This would have been a sign to all that saw it as an act of a king.

C. He made an idol of his spoils

Gideon then takes his spoils and makes an idol that he sets in his land. The ephod referred to a covering, but from the context we understand that the ephod was more than linen, but it represented an idol that was covered by the ephod. We understand this because the “ephod” was made of gold, pointing to an idol covered by an ephod or an expensive linen covering.

The Bible says that the men of Israel went whoring after this idol and thus Gideon sets up a place of worship in his own town, establishing a king’s capital where people gathered to worship.

D. Gideon lived as a king

The expression of verse 29 goes beyond Gideon merely returning to his house. Not only did he return to his house, but he set up a form of worship there and some of the events of chapter 9 clearly indicate that Gideon lived as a king. His son, Abimelech, upon the death of Gideon, gathered the men of Israel together to determine who would “rule” over them. It was clear that Gideon went beyond governing Israel, but ruled over them. Up to now the judges of Israel were referred to as governors. In Abimelech specifically uses the word “reign”.

In additions Gideon, like many rulers in Canaan, took unto him many wives and also concubines. He also had 70 children. While people had many children in those days 70 would be a number of children only a king would have.

So while Gideon gave a tongue in cheek response to the men of Israel’s desire for him to rule over them that is precisely what he did. Neither Gideon or the people of Israel gave glory to Yaweh for this great victory. In fact, though there were recordings of celebrations to Yaweh in the past victories over Israel’s enemies the writer here records absolutely none.

APPLICATION

Victory is Supplied through the Grace of God

God

We deserve nothing. When we receive something from God is through his grace. We are a people that have been stained by our own sin and we stink of the wickedness of the world. God owes us nothing. Whenever we get victory in our lives it is not because we deserve it, it is not because we earned it, and it is not because there is good in us. Victory comes to us because of God’s immense grace that is bestowed upon us and it should show us to him and cause us to lift him up with praise and immerse him in all glory and honor that is certainly due his name.

Victory is Secured in the Power of God

If we are stuggling with the enemy we must realize that victory in our lives is secured by the power of God. We have no power to overcome the enemy, but in the power of God no enemy is invinceable. No army is too big and no enemy is too strong for the almighty power of God to overcome for us. We must realize that when victory comes to our lives it is not because of our doing or because of our strength. When we overcome sin or difficult circumstances, when we defeat doubt and fear, and when we rise up with courage and boldness those victories did not occur in our own power, but in the power of Him that is above.

So when victory is secured the glory should be given to no one, but Him who reigns above and whose power exceeeds the heavens and the earth.

Victory is Supplanted by the Unbelief of His People

When victory does not come to our lives it is easy and often convenient for us to find someone to blame. Unfortunately, many people blame God for their current position in life. They look to another to attribute the reasons for their lack of vicotry. They explain away their inability or refusal to be faithful to God. They blame others when they fail. They complain that God is not doing enough. All the while it is not God that is lacking, but the faith of his people. His people stand in His way undermining his work in them and amidst them.

Conclusion

When we understand that we deserve nothing from God when victory comes it is easy to give glory to God.

When we know that the power to secure victory is in the power of the Father then the glory of victory is easily applied to Him.

When we get out of the way and have faith in God we stop undermining the work of God and His work moves forward, not because of what we did, but because of who we have faith in. When we have faith in God and victory comes to our lives their is no other person due the glory and the honor but to God and God alone.

Unfortunately, what occurred with Gideon and what often occurs in our own hearts is when victory comes we take the credit, we claim the spoils, and we accept the glory. What happened after Gideon won the victory was sad. God called a scared young man hiding under the threshing floor from the Midians to being a might man of valor who, in the power and of God and through the spirit of God took 300 men handpicked by God and defeated a Midianite army of 135,000 people. Then, after victory was granted Gideon used the authority and army that God gave him to carry out a mission of vengence and eventually took credit, claimed the spoils, and accepted the glory for all that was done.

We need to realize what we deserve: Nothing

We need to know where victory comes from: God

We need to realize who is undermining God’s Work: Us

We need to realize who should get the glory for Victory: God

Taking the credit for what God has done is something that will bring disruption to our lives and cause corruption in our actions.