patriarchs and prophets-第144章
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fords of the Jordan； thus preventing the escape of the fugitives。 By this
means a large number of the enemy were slain； among whom were two princes；
Oreb and Zeeb。 Thus the men of Ephraim followed up the battle； and helped
complete the victory。 Nevertheless； they were jealous and angry； as though
Gideon had been led by his own will and judgment。 They did not discern God's
hand in the triumph of Israel； they did not appreciate His power and mercy
in their
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deliverance； and this very fact showed them unworthy to be chosen as His
special instruments。
Returning with the trophies of victory； they angrily reproached Gideon： 〃Why
hast thou served us thus； that thou calledst us not； when thou wentest to
fight with the Midianites？〃
〃What have I done now； in comparison of you？〃 said Gideon。 〃Is not the
gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer？ God
hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian； Oreb and Zeeb： and
what was I able to do in comparison of you？〃
The spirit of jealousy might easily have been fanned into a quarrel that
would have caused strife and bloodshed； but Gideon's modest answer soothed
the anger of the men of Ephraim； and they returned in peace to their homes。
Firm and uncompromising where principle was concerned； and in war a 〃mighty
man of valor；〃 Gideon displayed also a spirit of courtesy that is rarely
witnessed。
The people of Israel； in their gratitude at deliverance from the Midianites；
proposed to Gideon that he should become their king； and that the throne
should be confirmed to his descendants。 This proposition was in direct
violation of the principles of the theocracy。 God was the king of Israel；
and for them to place a man upon the throne would be a rejection of their
Divine Sovereign。 Gideon recognized this fact； his answer shows how true and
noble were his motives。 〃I will not rule over you；〃 he declared； 〃neither
shall my son rule over you： the Lord shall rule over you。〃
But Gideon was betrayed into another error； which brought disaster upon his
house and upon all Israel。 The season of inactivity that succeeds a great
struggle is often fraught with greater danger than is the period of
conflict。 To this danger Gideon was now exposed。 A spirit of unrest was upon
him。 Hitherto he had been content to fulfill the directions given him from
God； but now； instead of waiting for divine guidance； he began to plan for
himself。 When the armies of the Lord have gained a signal victory； Satan
will redouble his efforts to overthrow the work of God。 Thus thoughts and
plans were suggested to the mind of Gideon； by which the people of Israel
were led astray。
Because he had been commanded to offer sacrifice upon the rock where the
Angel appeared to him； Gideon concluded that
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he had been appointed to officiate as a priest。 Without waiting for the
divine sanction； he determined to provide a suitable place； and to institute
a system of worship similar to that carried on at the tabernacle。 With the
strong popular feeling in his favor he found no difficulty in carrying out
his plan。 At his request all the earrings of gold taken from the Midianites
were given him as his share of the spoil。 The people also collected many
other costly materials； together with the richly adorned garments of the
princes of Midian。 From the material thus furnished； Gideon constructed an
ephod and a breastplate； in imitation of those worn by the high priest。 His
course proved a snare to himself and his family； as well as to Israel。 The
unauthorized worship led many of the people finally to forsake the Lord
altogether； to serve idols。 After Gideon's death great numbers； among whom
were his own family； joined in this apostasy。 The people were led away from
God by the very man who had once overthrown their idolatry。
There are few who realize how far…reaching is the influence of their words
and acts。 How often the errors of parents produce the most disastrous
effects upon their children and children's children； long after the actors
themselves have been laid in the grave。 Everyone is exerting an influence
upon others； and will be held accountable for the result of that influence。
Words and actions have a telling power； and the long hereafter will show the
effect of our life here。 The impression made by our words and deeds will
surely react upon ourselves in blessing or in cursing。 This thought gives an
awful solemnity to life； and should draw us to God in humble prayer that He
will guide us by His wisdom。
Those who stand in the highest positions may lead astray。 The wisest err；
the strongest may falter and stumble。 There is need that light from above
should be constantly shed upon our pathway。 Our only safety lies in trusting
our way implicitly to Him who has said； 〃Follow Me。〃
After the death of Gideon 〃the children of Israel remembered not the Lord
their God； who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on
every side： neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal； namely；
Gideon； according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel。〃
Forgetful of all that they owed to Gideon； their judge and deliverer； the
people of Israel accepted his baseborn son Abimelech as their
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king； who； to sustain his power； murdered all but one of Gideon's lawful
children。 When men cast off the fear of God they are not long in departing
from honor and integrity。 An appreciation of the Lord's mercy will lead to
an appreciation of those who； like Gideon； have been employed as instruments
to bless His people。 The cruel course of Israel toward the house of Gideon
was what might be expected from a people who manifested so great ingratitude
to God。
After the death of Abimelech the rule of judges who feared the Lord served
for a time to put a check upon idolatry； but erelong the people returned to
the practices of the heathen communities around them。 Among the northern
tribes the gods of Syria and Sidon had many worshipers。 On the southwest the
idols of the Philistines； and on the east those of Moab and Ammon； had
turned the hearts of Israel from the God of their fathers。 But apostasy
speedily brought its punishment。 The Ammonites subdued the eastern tribes
and； crossing the Jordan； invaded the territory of Judah and Ephraim。 On the
west the Philistines came up from their plain beside the sea； burning and
pillaging far and near。 Again Israel seemed to be abandoned to the power of
relentless foes。
Again the people sought help from Him whom they had so forsaken and
insulted。 〃The children of Israel cried unto the Lord； saying； We have
sinned against Thee； both because we have forsaken our God； and also served
Baalim。〃 But sorrow had not worked true repentance。 The people mourned
because their sins had brought suffering upon themselves； but not because
they had dishonored God by transgression of His holy law。 True repentance is
more than sorrow for sin。 It is a resolute turning away from evil。
The Lord answered them through one of His prophets： 〃Did I not deliver you
from the Egyptians； and from the Amorites； from the children of Ammon； and
from the Philistines？ The Zidonians also； and the Amalekites； and the
Maonites； did oppress you； and ye cried to Me； and I delivered you out of
their hand。 Yet ye have forsaken Me； and served other gods： wherefore I will
deliver you no more。 Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen； let them
deliver you in the time of your tribulation。〃
These solemn and fearful words carry the mind forward to another scenethe
great day of final judgmentwhen the
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rejecters of God's mercy and the despisers of His grace shall be brought
face to face with His justice。 At that tribunal must they render an account
who have devoted their God…given talents of time； of means； or of intellect；
to serving the gods of this world。 They have forsaken their true and loving
Friend； to follow the path of convenience and worldly pleasure。 They
intended at some time to return to God； but the world with its follies a
