Gideon’s Story: Act One

Gideon’s Story: Act Two Army: 32,000 10,000 300

Judges 8: 22-23 22 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us —you, your son and your grandson— because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”

Judges 8:24 24 And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” --------------------------------- Despite his personal and family weakness for idolatry, Gideon creates a “memento” of this victory.

Judges 8:27 “Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.”

Judges 8: 29-30 29 Jerub-Baal (Gideon) son of Joash went back home to live. 30 He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives. 31 His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.

Judges 8: 33-34 33 “No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god 34 and did not remember the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side.”

Abimelech: A Case of Extreme Domestic Violence Judges 9: 1-6

Judges 9: 7-21 Jotham’s Parable about Abimelech and his Allies Jotham’s Prophecy against Abimelech and his Allies Jotham Bravely Runs Away!

Judges 9: 22-45 Citizens of Shechem rebel against Abimelech’s rule Abimelech goes on a violent crusade to punish the “traitors” Abimelech’s rage leads him to use “scorched earth” strategy

Judges 9: 46-56 Abimelech shows no mercy to those seeking refuge by burning them alive Abimelech’s Sad and Ironic End Justice is Served!

Points to Ponder: 1.) What is the trajectory of your legacy? 2.) Are there damaged relationships within your family that God is calling you to mend? 3.) Are you trusting God to “write your story” or are you too often seizing control of it?