Over the years I have heard many a COG preacher preach on Gideon. It’s a compelling story filled with danger, courage, strategy a few good men, a careful leader and the early direction of God. It is one of the hero stories of the Hebrews.(Judges Ch. 6-8 ) Yet much of this story doesn’t add up to the N.T. concept of mercy, forgiveness and redemption. The question is; should all the revenge and slaughter of innocent people ( Ch. 8:13-21 ) the later moral failings of Gideon and his greed be pointed out? I have never heard that brought out in the sermons that I have heard!
Discussion
4 comments
-
The revenge and slaughter of innocent people (does not exist).
God sets that standard and we are not privileged to the whole story containing all the background information as to why God allows it. (Ex God promised Canaan land to Abraham, God also told Abraham ahead of time of the suffering his descendants would undergo because ((the sin of the Amorites is not full [yet])l.
Looking at it as they conquered the land without the back story it looks barbaric.
So it was with Gideon (Those innocent people chose to side with God’s man and will, oppose him, or stay neutral-lukewarm.).That is the New Testament lesson with Gideon – God has a plan and side, anything else and you choose death.
As far as the moral failure of Gideon (as with David, Solomon, and others), it is a lesson that no matter what we have done for God, our calling, and our Spiritual past, we can be shipwrecked and lost if we don’t keep moving forward with God and keep a spiritual guard around us.
Paul said it this way
1 Corinthians 9:27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.Blessings
-
David thanks for a thoughtful reply. Space here is too limited to develop this subject but if I understand your statement that revenge and slaughter of innocent people ( does not exist ) I would have to disagree with that as well as several of your other points.
-
And that is your right.
But you have an issue with a lot that went in the Old Testament then. -
[…] Over the years I have heard many a COG preacher… […]
Comments