Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, your son’s son as well, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian!” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” (vv. 22-23)

We all know in our minds that God is the only true King, and that He rules with justice, lovingkindness, and equity. Yet we still look for a human king, despite their many flaws. By nature, we create something to worship. This tendency is deeply embedded in the human heart.

Yet Gideon said to them, “I would request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For they had gold earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) And they said, “We will certainly give them to you.” So they spread out a garment, and every one of them tossed an earring there from his plunder. The weight of the gold earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, apart from the crescent amulets, the ear pendants, and the purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and apart from the neck chains that were on their camels’ necks. Gideon made it into an ephod, and placed it in his city, Ophrah; but all Israel committed infidelity with it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household. (vv. 24-27)

Did Gideon not know what the people might do with the ephod? I believe he did. Yet he wanted to leave behind a monument that would commemorate his own achievements.

Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again committed infidelity with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god. So the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had saved them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in accordance with all the good that he had done for Israel. (vv. 33-35)

Anyone who praises themselves comes under God’s judgment. It is a blessing if that judgment takes the form of God’s rebuke and loving discipline, for then they may turn to Him in repentance, receive His forgiveness, and learn from their mistakes. It is a tragedy, however, if a person perishes because of pride and arrogance. Their downfall becomes a warning to others.

Through such examples, we learn that all glory belongs to God alone. He uses human beings as His instruments to accomplish His purposes. Therefore, when we receive praise from others, we should acknowledge that our good deeds do not come from ourselves or from luck, but from God, who works through us.

On an appointed day, after putting on his royal apparel, Herod took his seat on the rostrum and began delivering an address to them. The people repeatedly cried out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died. (Acts 12:21-23)

Gideon lived like a king, with many wives and children, and he died at a good old age. From a human perspective, his life appeared prosperous and honorable. We often envy those who enjoy wealth, success, and a good reputation.

Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house. Now Gideon had seventy sons who were his direct descendants, for he had many wives. And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. And Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (vv. 29-32)

Suffering plays an important role in the lives of the saints. By nature, we try to avoid suffering. We become greedy and seek to control the circumstances and people around us, yet we cannot escape it. We spend considerable time, money, and effort trying to reduce the possibility of suffering. Nevertheless, it still enters our lives in many forms and with varying degrees of intensity. No one can avoid it.

Suffering reminds us that our life on earth is not the end. It directs our hearts to the coming Kingdom of God and teaches us to place our hope in what is eternal rather than temporary. It also keeps us humble, reminding us who we are and how God has saved us from everlasting suffering through His Son.

With this in mind, the most blessed person on earth is not the one who possesses the most wealth, power, or honor, but the one who lives humbly and joyfully, is content with what God has provided, and eagerly looks forward to the coming Kingdom of God.

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)