Juízes 8

Juízes 8

MacDonald writes that "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Pr 15:1). The first truth is illustrated in Jdg 8:1-3 by Gideon's answer to the Ephraimites. The second truth is illustrated in Jdg 8:4-17 by the words of the men of Succoth and Penuel. (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary). Lawson G Stone addresses whether Gideon may have been too harsh - Succoth and Penuel appear to have permitted the unmolested passage of the murderous, pillaging Midianites whose violence and atrocities had driven their fellow Israelites into the hills. How many Israelites starved or died because Succoth and Penuel looked the other way when camel-mounted raiders crossed the Jordan? Attributing Gideon's actions to "rage" (Daniel Block 1999:293) does not take seven years of suffering abetted by treason quite seriously enough. (Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Joshua, Judges, Ruth ) Warren Wiersbe raises the question "Why didn’t Gideon show to the people of Succoth and Peniel the same kindness that he showed to the Ephraimites and simply forgive them their offenses? For one thing, their offenses were not alike. The pride of Ephraim was nothing compared to the rebellion of Succoth and Peniel. Ephraim was protecting their tribal pride, a sin but not a costly one; but Succoth and Peniel were rebelling against God’s chosen leader and assisting the enemy at the same time. Theirs was the sin of hardness of heart toward their brethren and treason against the God of heaven. Of what good was it for Gideon and his men to risk their lives to deliver Israel if they had traitors right in their own nation? Leaders must have discernment or they will make wrong decisions as they deal with different situations. Personal insults are one thing, but rebellion against the Lord and His people is quite something else." (See Wiersbe Bible Commentary) Judges 8:18 Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?" And they said, "They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king." Tabor: Jdg 4:6 Ps 89:12 They were like you: Ps 12:2 Jude 1:16 Judges 8 Resources FAILURE OF FLATTERY TO ASSUAGE THE AVENGER Then: The scene by now had probably shifted back eastward across the Jordan River into the homeland of the tribe of Manasseh, so that Gideon could display his captives to the main body of Israelites. The presence of his young son, Jether (Jdg 8:20), who likely did not accompany his father in the pursuit of the Midianites, also points to a location nearer his home. So when Gideon arrived at Ophrah, leading Zebah and Zalmunna captive, the procession must have been as exciting as a ticker-tape parade. Gideon was a true hero in the same city in which he had almost been killed (Jdg 6:30). He said to Zebah and Zalmunna, "What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor: He does not identify the men in this question, but in the next verse explains they were his brothers. Geographically Tabor would have been about 10 miles from Gideon's home town of Ophrah (this map shows Ophrah and Mt Tabor to the north). The question implies that Gideon knew that Zebah and Zalmunna had killed his brothers. And they said, "They were like you, each one resembling the son of a king: Their reply was in the form of arrogant flattery: “They were just such men as you, men of kingly figure” Someone has said that flattery is a good thing to taste but a bad thing to swallow, and Gideon didn’t swallow it! "Resembling the son of a king" (NIV renders it "the bearing of a prince”) is a description which sets the stage for Gideon's subsequent actions. These enemies acknowledge, he was beginning to look like a king and as the scene unfolds the grateful Israelites were ready to enthrone him as their king (Jdg 8:22). Judges 8:18 F B Meyer Our Daily Homily As thou art, do were they; each one resembled the children of a king. It was a magnificent tribute to the royal bearing of this illustrious family. All the children had the stamp of kingliness on them, which had impressed even these barbaric princes. Would that a similar confession could be extorted from those who behold the members of the royal house of Jesus! The children of a king! It is within the reach of any who aspire to it. By the second birth we become the children of God, joint-heirs with Christ, and the Spirit witnesses to our sonship, teaching us to cry, Abba, Father. As children of the great King we should bear the sign of our high lineage in our bearing and walk. Royalty of Demeanor. — There is an aristocratic bearing in the scions of noble houses among men. The head is lifted high, the mien is proud, the manner distant and reserved. But in the family of God, meekness and lowliness, humility and contriteness, are marks of family likeness. We walk as Jesus walked, of whom the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” Royalty of Dress. — The king is marked by the brilliant orders glittering on his breast. Purple and ermine become those who date their descent from a line of kings. But the emblem of our family is the cross; our color is scarlet; our insignia is the towel and basin that speak of lowly service. Royalty of Occupation. — The earthly king does nothing servile. He is waited on with lowly obeisance. But they who are of the same family as Jesus are found performing the lowliest acts of service, in jails, hospitals, and slums. In this they follow closely on the steps of Him who went about doing good. Judges 8:19 And he said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the LORD lives, if only you had let them live, I would not kill you." Judges 8 Resources GIDEON FUNCTIONS LIKE AN AVENGER OF BLOOD And he said, "They were my brothers, the sons of my mother: Note the description as the sons of my mother. This was a polygamous society, so one could have brothers who had the same father but different mothers. In other words at a time when men often had several wives it was necessary to distinguish between full brothers and half brothers. In this case Gideon explained that they were his full brethren, not only of the same father but of the same mother. Gideon had considered sparing the kings' lives, but the additional element of personal revenge made their death certain. Moreover, the death of enemy leaders almost always accompanied total military victory (Jdg 3:21-25+; Jdg 4:21, 22+, Jdg 9:55+; Jos 10:26+).