With the victory behind them, the Israelites were hankering for Gideon and his family line to ultimately rule over them. He refused to take to total reins since he deferred them to the Lord. Maybe he did want or maybe he didn't but still he acknowledged that God is the ultimate ruler of the Israelites and not he or his family. Still he was smart enough to ask for one thing - an earring from each male which they gladly gave. The amount that was collected was the equivalent of 45 pounds which he converted into an ephod - a priest's coat. The ephod was on display in Ophrah, his hometown and soon became an idol to the people despite it's original intent. This was indicative of the mindset of the Israelite people. Despite this, the Lord granted them peace for 40 years. The balance of the chapter was to talk about Jerubbaal and his family and made special note of a son whose name was Abimelech, which means "my father is king", as well as Gideon. Gideon, who died at a ripe old age and was buried with his father. The people returned to their wicked ways after Gideon's death.
The man who would be king but chose not to and it ultimately was not God's plan until Saul. Still, he had issues since he wanted this ephod. It is still unclear what the ultimate purpose of the ephod was - to please himself or God but.. it became the sin object of the people. Ultimately, he was one of the good guys.
Praise for my comp results, slightly higher but will be eaten away by taxes so less on a net basis than last year. Still His Name is to be praised. Home today after a late night and Princeton tomorrow.
Praise for today: For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149: 5
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