GIDEON:  A JUDGE AND A MIGHTY MAN OF VALOR

 

The Position Refused by Gideon

Judges 8:22-23

Lesson #19

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     George Washington led the troops of the United States in the Revolutionary War.  After the war was over, the nation asked him to take the helm as President of the United States.  It was not a position he sought.  However, it was a position that came to him because of his leadership skills and military prowess.

 

B.      In like manner, Gideon, the mighty man of valor, had delivered Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.  It is not surprising, therefore, that the Israelites would desire for him to become their leader.

 

C.     In this two-verse section, we see the position of ruler being offered to Gideon, but he will refuse to rule over the nation.  We have entitled the section:  “The Position Refused by Gideon” (Judges 8:22-23).

 

I.                    THE REQUEST MADE BY ISRAEL (Judges 8:22)

 

A.     The Petition (Jud. 8:22a)

 

Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us…

 

1.       It appears that the request made by Israel was unanimous. 

a.       We do not read of any opposition.

b.      Sometimes, the valiant feats of a man cause all opposition to subside.

2.       The request was simple:  “Rule thou over us.”

a.       Rule

1)      Strong (4910):  to rule

2)      BDB:  to rule, have dominion, reign

b.      This is a monumental request. 

1)      The one who rules is given much power.

2)      The one who rules can acquire great riches.

3)      The one who rules is subject to many temptations.

4)      The one who rules can be easily lifted up with pride.

5)      The one who rules can become the subject of many enemies.

3.       We might ask ourselves a question.  Why is it that men long to have another individual rule over them?

a.       Protection

b.      Stability

c.       Prosperity

d.      Peace

e.       To remove the burden of leadership from themselves

 

B.      The Promise (Jud. 8:22b)

 

…both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son…

 

1.       The people promised a leadership position not only to Gideon, but to his posterity.

2.       They wanted his family in power for many years to come.

a.       Remember, his firstborn was quite young (See Jud. 8:20).

b.      Thus, Gideon’s family could have ruled over Israel for a long period of time.

3.       Power maintained by a family for generations can often be detrimental to a nation.

a.       The first leader, in this instance, Gideon, was given the position due to his talents and abilities.  This is not true of the children.

b.      The sons and grandsons often have a different mindset as rulers.  Often, they are concerned for themselves instead of the nation.

c.       The next generations often become proud, sloppy, sinful, and corrupt (Ex., the sons of Samuel, 1 Sam. 8:1-3).

 

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.  Now the name of the firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah:  they were judges in Beersheba.  And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

 

C.     The Premise (Jud. 8:22c)

 

…for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.

 

1.       Gideon had exhibited some profound leadership skills.

a.       Faith in God

b.      Courage in battle

c.       Military skills

d.      The ability to deal with difficult situations

e.       The ability to discipline

2.       Often leadership skills in one area can be transferred into another area of work.

a.       Joseph moved from shepherd of this father’s sheep to a steward in the house of Potipher to an overseer in the prison to the second in command of Egypt.

b.      Moses went from the son of Pharaoh’s daughter to a shepherd to the leader of Israel in the wilderness.

c.       David moved from a shepherd to an army commander to king.

d.      Elders are required first to be good leaders in their homes before becoming leaders in the family of God.  Many of them are often leaders in business or in their communities as well.

3.       NOTE:  There are occasions when a person who is a good leader in one area is not able to transfer those skills into another area.

a.       Pride gets in the way much like it did in the life of Saul, the king of Israel.

b.      A person can manifest too much zeal and cause his followers to turn against him.

c.       A micro-manager may do well commanding one or two, but when given the command of many, most do not want someone monitoring their every move.

 

II.                 THE REFUSAL BY GIDEON (Judges 8:23a)

 

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you…

 

A.     Gideon turned down the position of being the ruler over Israel.

 

B.      Why would Gideon refuse such a position, not only for himself, but also for his sons?

1.       He was tired from the battle.

2.       He understood the time and energy it took to be a ruler.

3.       He did not want to subject himself and his family to the struggles and temptations of being a ruler.

4.       He may have had other pursuits that he desired more than being a leader.

 

C.     Gideon may have also refused because he had a deep understanding of the nature of the kingdom of Israel.

 

III.              THE RULER OF ISRAEL WAS THE LORD (Judges 8:24c)

 

…the Lord shall rule over you.

 

A.     Previous leaders of Israel had been put into their positions for a specific purpose.

1.       Moses delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

2.       Joshua took Israel into the Promised Land and divided the land between the tribes.

 

B.      After this, God was supposed to be the king of Israel.

1.       When Israel requested a king, we learn that Israel was rejecting God as their king (1 Sam. 8:4-7).

 

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together and came to Samuel unto Ramah, and said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways:  now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us.  And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.  And the Lord said unto Samuel, hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee:  for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

 

2.       Israel was a theocracy.  God was the king of the nation.  Spiritually, God had put in place the high priest and the priesthood that would assist the nation with their spiritual lives.

 

C.     Question:  What would make men reject God as their king in order to establish a human king over them?

1.       A physical king is someone who is tangible.

2.       God’s people often like to be like the nations around them.

3.       Men just do not have enough faith in the wisdom and power of God to lead them.

 

D.     Did Gideon have a proper understanding of the theocracy?

1.       He did plainly say:  “…the Lord shall rule over you.”

2.       He was called of God to do a work, and he completed his mission.

3.       Now, the nation needed to subject themselves to the rule and law of the Almighty God.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     The nation of Israel was ready for a fresh start.

 

B.      The spiritual leaders of Israel should have immediately rallied the nation in an effort to bring about a restoration of the nation to the Word of God.

 

C.     The influence of Gideon would be great in Israel as long as this mighty judge lived.

 

D.     It is a testament to a man who can influence an entire nation for good as long as he lives.