November 12
Judges 8
Today's Reading
Judges 8
Reflection
Pray: "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
- 1
What do you learn about God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) from this chapter? His thoughts, ways, or actions toward us, as His creation? How can you respond to God in prayer and praise?
- 2
In chapters 6 and 7, we saw Gideon who sought the Lord and His direction for battle. However, in Chapter 8, we will see a different side of Gideon. In verses 1-3, who is upset with Gideon and why?
- 3
In verses 4-9, Gideon and his 300 men were exhausted, but continued to pursue the kings of Midian. What did the Israelite towns of Succoth and Penuel refuse to do? As a result, what did Gideon vow to do? In verses 10-12, Gideon and his men capture the two kings of the Midianites, Zebah and Zalmunna. According to verses 13-17, dragging Zebah and Zalmunna with him, did Gideon follow through with his promise? According to verses 18-21, how were the two kings killed? Note: It is possible that Gideon wanted his son to kill them as a way of humiliating the kings.
- 4
In verses 22-27, what did the men of Israel want Gideon to be? Who did Gideon say would rule? What did Gideon request of the men of Israel? What did Gideon do with the items collected? What did the ephod become to the people of Israel?
- 5
According to verse 28, how long did Israel have rest?
- 6
According to verses 29-35, how did Gideon spend his remaining days? What happened right after Gideon died? What did the people forget?
- 7
Ponder: In all that Gideon did during this chapter, was God consulted? Gideon stated he would not be their ruler, yet he lived like the rulers of other kingdoms with the wealth, the number of wives, and concubines. In verse 23, we see the one place where Gideon gives acknowledgement to the leadership of God. While Gideon followed God, he did not follow Him wholeheartedly to the end, and as a result, upon his death, Israel quickly returned to idol worship. What happened to Gideon? Did success and wealth distract him from his wholehearted commitment to the Lord? Did he get too comfortable in his life of ease? Did he "retire" and focus too much on the pleasures of life? In Deuteronomy 6, the Lord had commanded the Israelites to love the Lord your God with all their heart, mind, and strength. Their failure to follow God wholeheartedly led to a downward spiral that will eventually lead to their captivity and removal from their land. How do you want the end of your life to be? How does this lead you to pray? 2 Timothy 4:6-8 "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (ESV)