Re:Verse passage – Judges 8:18-34 (day two)
Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, also your son’s son, for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.”23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” vs. 22-23
The Midianites were conquered. The tendency for Israel to want to elevate the instrument of Midian’s defeat makes sense. That’s where it gets complicated. Gideon was the instrument, yes, but he was not the reason for the victory. It was God who orchestrated all things to work for his good and glory. For Gideon’s part, he recognized this, but assumed his job was finished. There is so much to caution us in this story. If the Lord brings us to a place of victory we should rejoice and remember it was his hand of provision that made it possible. We should also not assume that once that victory has occurred that our assignment is done. As long as we have breath we should be seeking what our next task for the kingdom should be. May we never be complacent in the work.
