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Judges 8:22-28 – Gideon’s Idolatry

Yesterday, we read of the commendable way that Gideon refused to be made king over Israel. Sadly, what follows is far from commendable. As they defeated the Midianites, the men of Israel had plundered the treasures of the enemy, including the earrings they wore. We are told they wore these earrings because “they were Ishmaelites.” In Genesis 16 we read that Abraham has a son named Ishmael and in Genesis 21 Ishmael is sent away. In Genesis 25, we learn that after Sarah dies, Abraham remarries and has other sons, including Midian. Like Ishmael, these other sons were sent away. The descendants of these other sons of Abraham were sometimes called “Ishmaelites” collectively, after the first son of Abraham who was sent away. Thus, in Genesis 37, the Midianites who take Joseph into slavery are also called Ishmaelites. Likewise, here we find the Midianites referred to as Ishmaelites. It seems a common trait of this general Ishmaelite culture was the wearing of earrings by men.

Gideon now requests these earrings with which he makes a golden ephod, a breastplate like that belonging to the high priest. Whatever Gideon’s intent, this golden ephod becomes an idol and even Gideon and his family are ensnared into false worship.

Despite this unfaithfulness, the LORD gives Israel rest from their enemies for forty years. God promised that He would deliver Israel by means of Gideon, and He keeps His promise. Midian was never a great threat to Israel again.

None of us is infallible. Just because God uses a man mightily for the service of His Kingdom does not make that man right about everything. We must be careful not to put our trust in mere men as the standard for what we do or believe, but always be gauging our actions and beliefs by God’s Word.

Questions

  1. Why were Midianites also sometimes called Ishmaelites?
  2. Did Gideon remain faithful to the LORD?
  3. Why did God still give Israel rest for forty years?

Prayer Points

  1. Praise God that He keeps His promises.
  2. Use prayer points from your congregation.
  3. Pray for family matters.