Gideon-Tested in Weakness

Judges

Week 20 — Gideon— Tested in weakness

1. The temptation of pride.

2. The snare of idolatry.

²⁷ Gideon made the gold into a sacred breastplate [אֵפֹד (ā-phōd)]. He set it up in his town of Ophrah, and all Israel prostituted themselves to it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his household. (Jdg 8:27)

Even routine offerings (_____________, ___________________ animals, _________________ offerings) had to be brought to the tabernacle (Deut 12; 14; 16).

You shall not make gods that are really not gods for yourselves, and you shall not set up an image or a sacred memorial stone for yourselves, and you shall not set up a carved stone relief in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. (Le 26:1)

A little yeast works through the whole batch. (Ga 5:9)

3. The _______________ after Gideon’s death.

²⁸ In this way Midian was humbled before the people of Israel, and they did not raise their heads again. The land was quiet for forty years during the days of Gideon. (Jdg 8:28)

²⁹ Jerubbaal son of Joash returned and lived [יָשַׁב (ya-sav)] in his own house. (Jdg 8:29)

Go to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you swear to me your servant and promise me, “Your son Solomon will be king after me, and he will sit [יָשַׁב (ya-sav)] on my throne”? Then why has Adonijah become king?’ (1 Ki 1:13)

Then you are to follow him, as he goes in and sits [יָשַׁב (ya-sav)] on my throne, and he will be king in my place. I decree that he will be leader over Israel and Judah.” (1 Ki 1:35)

³⁰ Gideon had seventy sons, who were his direct descendants from his own body, because he had many wives. (Jdg 8:30)

³¹ Also his concubine at Shechem bore him a son, and he named him Abimelek. (Jdg 8:31)

³² Finally Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age, and he was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Jdg 8:32)

³³ After Gideon died, the people of Israel again prostituted themselves to the Baals, and they set up Baal of the Covenant as their god. ³⁴ The people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who saved them from the hand of all their enemies around them. ³⁵ They were not loyal to the house of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good he had done for Israel. (Jdg 8:33–35)

Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who lived a full life, and he was gathered to his people. (Ge 25:8)

4. God’s grace is truly _______________.

The People’s Bible: We face the question of Gideon’s place in eternity. God gave him a long life and an honorable burial. Gideon is listed in Hebrews chapter 11 among those who “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised” (verses 32, 33).

Hebrews 11 is God’s own commentary on the hearts of Old Testament believers.

… all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Ro 3:23)

¹ Faith is being sure about what we hope for, being convinced about things we do not see. ² For by this faith the ancients were commended in Scripture. (Heb 11:1–2)

Your father Abraham was glad that he would see my day. He saw it and rejoiced. (Jn 8:56)

For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Sa 16:7b)

 (yes, you alone know the heart of every human being) (1 Ki 8:39)

¹¹ Indeed, it is written: As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will acknowledge God. ¹² So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Ro 14:11–12)

One by one, all of these died in faith, without having received the things that were promised, but they saw and welcomed them from a distance. They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Heb 11:13)

All of these were commended in Scripture by faith, yet they did not receive what was promised (Heb 11:39)

The statement “All of these” in Hebrews 11 refers to ___________ person named or implied in the chapter, including Gideon (v. 32). The commendation is not based on their moral performance but on ___________ in God’s promises, which biblically implies continuing trust—not _________________.

⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 Jn 1:8–9)

So let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall. (1 Co 10:12)

⁸ Indeed, it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8–9)

But by the grace of God I am what I am (1 Co 15:10a)

Or do you have so little regard for his rich kindness, his restraint, and his patience, that you ignore the fact that the purpose of God’s kindness is to lead you to repentance? (Ro 2:4)

Points to Ponder

1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
2. What does Judges 8:33–35 reveal about Israel’s spiritual condition after Gideon’s death?
3. Why do you think Gideon’s ephod became such a powerful snare?
4. How does Gideon’s story illustrate Paul’s warning: “A little yeast works through the whole batch” (Gal 5:9)?
5. Where do you see subtle forms of idolatry or spiritual compromise in your own life?
6. Gideon acted like a king even after refusing the title—how can pride quietly shape our behaviors even when we deny it outwardly?
7. How does Gideon’s inclusion in Hebrews 11 give comfort to sinners who struggle with weakness and inconsistency?
8. What does it mean that salvation is entirely God’s work “from beginning to end”? (Eph 2:8–9; Ro 2:4)
9. What steps can we take as a church to guard each other from ‘small errors’ that grow into spiritual harm?
10. How can remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen us against present temptations?
11. What idols—visible or invisible—might God be calling you to tear down this week?

Read: Judges 9