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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 27 June 2025:
Judges 8:1–3 — Then the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they accused him fiercely. And he said to them, “What have I done now in comparison with you?… God has given into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What have I been able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger against him subsided when he said this.
Though criticized by the Ephraimites for not including them earlier in the battle, Gideon diffuses the conflict with gentle and self-effacing words. His response is an example of Proverbs 15:1 — “A soft answer turns away wrath.” At this point, Gideon seems wise and peaceable. Yet, this external humility will soon contrast with a darker internal pride. Christians today must ensure their humility is not just tactical or situational, but sincere, consistent, and rooted in the heart.
Judges 8:4–9 — And Gideon came to the Jordan and crossed over, he and the 300 men who were with him, exhausted yet pursuing.
Gideon and his men continue their pursuit of the enemy, yet when he asks for bread from the leaders of Succoth and Penuel, he is refused. Despite exhaustion, Gideon presses on with perseverance. The refusal to support him may reflect Israel’s fragmented faith and lack of unity. Spiritually, it is possible to grow weary doing good (Galatians 6:9), but God calls us to endure in faith, especially when others around us are apathetic or dismissive.
Judges 8:10–12 — Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor… and Gideon went up by the way of the tent dwellers… and attacked the army, for the army felt secure.
Gideon succeeds in routing the last of Midian’s army through strategic and daring action. The enemy “felt secure,” a dangerous posture in spiritual warfare. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12 — “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” Confidence apart from God is weakness; awareness of weakness with trust in God is strength. Gideon courageously employed strategy to succeed, but nonetheless, the outcome remained dependent on the Sovereign LORD.
Judges 8:13–17 — And he came to Succoth… and he took the elders of the city… and he broke down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.
Gideon returns to exact vengeance on the towns that refused to help. This act reveals a sharp turn in Gideon’s character: from God-dependent judge to self-justifying enforcer. His treatment of Israelites who doubted him was harsher than his earlier dealings with Midianites. This contrast reveals how success can lead to arrogance. Christians must guard against the temptation to use past victories as a justification for present pride.
Judges 8:18–21 — Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?”… And he said to Jether his firstborn, “Rise and kill them.” But the young man did not draw his sword, for he was afraid…
Gideon’s killing of Zebah and Zalmunna is portrayed with a disturbing intensity. He seeks revenge for his brothers, yet seems to draw personal satisfaction from it. His command for his young son to kill them further highlights Gideon’s preoccupation with status. Even in executing justice, he displays hints of glory-seeking behavior rather than righteous judgment.
Judges 8:23 — Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.”
Gideon had a false humility which is a common character flaw of which the Bible warns against gravely. He said he didn’t want to be king yet he names his son “son of a king” — his words did not match his true heart, motives, and actions. Most shockingly, he uses some of the gold he was given to make for himself an ephod (Judges 8:27) which was only to be worn by the high priest — the God-appointed leader. His approbation lust (desire for recognition, praise and attention — Matthew 23:5) turned into power lust and materialism (Isaiah 14:13-14; 1 Timothy 6:10). Gideon used God’s gifts to make himself rich and famous. His pride and greed would literally destroy His family, about which we will soon read. One key message we can’t miss in the Bible is that we are not heroes but mere sinners. ALL glory and honor go to God.
We have important lessons to learn from Gideon who was uniquely empowered by God and was incredibly successful, up to the point where he thought himself worthy of honor; then the house of cards fell. How many fortunate people have you seen name things after themselves – buildings, hospitals, foundations, institutions, even churches? How about us? How have we used the blessings God has bestowed upon us? Have we sought to gain comfort and status for ourselves, or have we sought to use what God has given us for His glory and honor?
Today, examine your humility. What is Christ-like humility? Are you humble? Are you ‘proud’ of your humility? Humility is the product of a true appreciation of who God is and of our total dependence on His mercy and grace. Humility is a product of Spirit-empowered love. Humility results in selflessness and is revealed in how we treat others and how we respond to situations. Too often, like Gideon, we speak and act humbly (for personal approval or for the approval of others — self-righteousness) when we are not truly humble at heart, when our actual motives are prideful. Consider your humility today. Will you value God and others today more than yourself and totally surrender yourself to love? Deep down inside, do you want people to adore appreciate and honor you or Jesus?
- Matthew 5:3 — Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Psalm 18:27 — For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 — For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- John 3:30 — He must increase, but I must decrease.
- Proverbs 16:18-19 — Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- James 4:6 — But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Psalm 25:9 — He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
- Psalm 34:2 — My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.
- James 4:10 — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
- Matthew 18:4 — Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Matthew 23:12 — Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
- 1 Peter 5:6 — Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you….
- Colossians 3:12-14 — Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
- Ephesians 4:1, 2 — I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Judges 8:24–27 — “Let me make a request of you… each of you give me the earrings from his spoil.”… And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city… and all Israel whored after it there… and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.
Gideon’s actions mirror the tragic fall of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:13–14, and the warning of 1 Timothy 6:10 about the love of money. What began as God-glorifying leadership ends in man-centered idolatry. All glory must go to God alone (Isaiah 42:8).
Judges 8:28–32 — So Midian was subdued… and the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon… And Gideon died in a good old age.
Despite his failures, Gideon’s leadership brought temporary peace. But peace does not equal purity. His compromise created a spiritual snare that corrupted the people and his legacy. Temporary success without enduring obedience is dangerous. As Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24–27, the wise build not on success, but on obedience to His Word.
Judges 8:33–35 — As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals… And they did not remember the Lord their God… nor did they show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal.
The moment Gideon dies, the people return to idolatry. A leadership built on personality or charisma, rather than a faithful walk with God, cannot sustain a people. Gideon’s personal compromise contributed to a national relapse. His pride planted seeds of disobedience that would bear bitter fruit. This is a powerful reminder that spiritual influence must rest on humility and holiness—not on position or past accomplishments.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 27 June 2025: Gideon’s downfall was not failure but success that went to his head. What begins in dependence on God can turn into a desire for glory. Today, examine how you handle praise, influence, and blessing. Are you using your gifts to serve or to be seen? Have you named anything after yourself—literally or figuratively—that should be pointing others to Christ? Meditate on John 3:30: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Let your success glorify the Savior, not self.
Pray: “Lord, I acknowledge that everything I have is from You. Keep me from the deception of pride. Strip away every desire for attention or applause. Teach me to serve in quiet faithfulness, giving You all glory. Let me not just say that You reign—let my actions prove it. I surrender my heart to be truly humble, truly Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 