College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Judges 8 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 8
Gideon's pursuit of the Midianites. The men of Ephraim asked why they had not been called to help in the beginning of the battle, Since they had rendered valuable service in holding the fords of the Jordan, Gideon complimented them; and their anger subsided. The men in Succoth and the men in Penuel, sites beyond the Jordan, refused to aid Gideon; and he threatened them as he continued his pursuit of the fleeing armies of Midianites, Amalekites, and the children of the East.
The slaughter of the armies of Midian. The two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were caught in Transjordan and put to death. The men who had refused to aid Gideon's cause were punished. Spoils of war were obtained, and Gideon returned to his home in victory,
Israel's continued idolatry. Gideon asked for the gold of the spoils to be given to him. He made an ephod of it. Whether it was worn or not has not been made clear, but one thing is clearIsrael turned the ephod into an idol. Not only did they give worship to this object, but they turned their backs on God after Gideon's death and worshiped the Baalim, especially Baal-berith.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Faint, yet pursuing Judges 8:4 b. Gideon's three hundred men had routed the armies of the Midianites, Amalekites, and the children of the East; but they did not stop with an initial victory. They pursued the men across Jordan. Their condition is described tersely in the words, faint, yet pursuing. Such is often the case with Christian soldiers. We are told that we shall reap if we do not faint (Galatians 6:9). We are encouraged to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58), even though we may be faint while pursuing.
2.
The Lord shall rule over you Judges 8:23. Gideon's reply to those who wanted him to rule over them shows that he believed all powers are ordained of God. There is no power, but what has been ordained of Him (Romans 13:1). The government in Gideon's day was truly a theocracy, and God was not ready for the people to have a king. Later, He selected a man after his own heart to rule over them. Earlier in the days of Saul, the people wanted a king like all the other nations (1 Samuel 8:5; 1 Samuel 8:20). Such a reason was invalid. God's people are to be separate; He is to rule over them.
3.
The sin of ingratitude. Many sins are entered against the record of the people of Israel. It was especially regrettable that they should not show kindness to the house of Gideon according to all the goodness which he had shown to Israel, The sin of ingratitude is one of mankind's worst crimes. The people of Israel should have shown more respect to the memory of their great judge than to turn their backs on the ways in which he had led them.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 8
1.
What tribe chided Gideon for failing to call them at first?
2.
What two kings of Midian did Gideon defeat?
3.
What two cities east of Jordan refused to help Gideon?
4.
How many Midianites remained with their kings?
5.
How many had already been slain?
6.
Who was Gideon's oldest son?
7.
What did the men of Israel want Gideon to do for them?
8.
What did Gideon make of the gold spoils of war?
9.
How many sons did Gideon have?
10.
What was the name of the false god Israel worshiped after Gideon died?