Sunday Sermonette: He seems nice

Judges 8 concludes the story of Gideon. He never does leave any Bibles in hotel rooms, but he does a couple of other things in this chapter that would probably be embarrassing to the people who do leave Bibles in hotel rooms should they actually read it. One is just the usual sadistic psychopathy, which probably explains why God likes the guy -- they ' re kindred spirits. The other, however, seems to be a serious sacrilege, a clear violation of one of the most important commandments, yet it is presented as perfectly ordinary and acceptable. I ' ll comment at the appropriate places.8 Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously.2 But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer?3 God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you? ” At this, their resentment against him subsided.Of course, it was God who ordered Gideon to limit his force to 300 men, but for some reason he doesn ' t bother to point this out.4 Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.5 He said to the men of Sukkoth, “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”6 But the o...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs