There is much in this chapter which disturbs us. First of all, there is the way Gideon ruthlessly gets his own back on the people of Succoth and Peniel for refusing to help Gideon and his men (vv. 13–17). We see as well that he was acting partly out of personal revenge whenever he pursued and killed Zebah and Zalmunna (v. 19). Gideon’s ephod became a snare which caused the people to turn away from the true worship of God. And, in the end, once Gideon dies, the people turned back to worshipping false gods. The Lord Jesus is a far better leader than Gideon for at least two reasons. First of all, he never did anything wrong and so he never did anything which causes us shame or embarrassment. We never have to make excuses for the Lord Jesus. Secondly, Gideon died and the people went further astray. However, Jesus died to bring us to God.
Tags: Judges