ONE SINNER DESTROYS MUCH GOOD.
*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*ONE SINNER DESTROYS MUCH GOOD.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Judges 8:24-27
*And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)*
*And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.*
*And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.*
*And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
Ecclesiastes 9:18 *Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.*
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Gideon was one of God's valiant men. He was chosen as a military judge by God, inspired and equipped by the Spirit and a warrlor.
Gideon dared and conquered Baal.
His victory over Baal earned him the name Jerubbaal (meaning Let Baal plead for himself Jud 6: 24-32).
In spite of Gideon's exploits, he took the nation of Israel back to idolatory.
Judg 9:27 *And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.*
This shortcoming of Gideon would affect the people after he died:
Judg 9: 33 *And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.*
Though the bible did not so condemn this act of Gideon, the consequences of his action bore some evil recompence through Abimelech. Abimelech was Gideon's son through a concubine in Shechem.
Abimelech slew all the 70 sons of Gideon, except Jotham, who ran away, Judg 9: 21,24.
Abimelech himself suffered a gruesome death, Judg 9:53-54, 56-57.
Gideon was credited for showing kindness over Israel, so also he was remembered in the hallmark of faith in Heb 11:32, but his descendants suffered greatly as enemies to themselves.
Though mercy spoke for Gideon but his sin of idolatry *".....destroyed much good"*.
So also Abimelech, one of his sons, became *"....a sinner that destroyed much good..."*
What we do today may have a serious impact on our descendants.
Though acknowledged for his good works, Gideon's works were not reflected in Israel. They neither remembered him nor God!
*Remorse corner.*
Gideon made an ephod from the gold he won in battle. This badly influenced the people back to idolatory.
*Call to Word action.*
Israel turned from God and would again become worse than the way they were before Gideon became their Judge.
Proverbs 26:11 *As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
The people proved *"...the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”*, 2 Pet 2:22.
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me. Let not my action bring people back to their sins.
Let me not commit errors that will affect the future peace of my descendants, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day as you go today.
God bless you.