Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” And Gideon said to them, “Let me make a request of you: every one of you give me the earrings from his spoil.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) And they answered, “We will willingly give them.” And they spread a cloak, and every man threw in it the earrings of his spoil. And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was 1,700 shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments and the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian, and besides the collars that were around the necks of their camels. And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family. So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel, and they raised their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.
Judges 8:22‭-‬28 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/jdg.8.22-28.ESV

The spoils from Gideon’s victory became the seeds of he and the nation of Israel’s downfall. As a leader he did the right thing and pointed the people to the Lord as their ultimate leader. Yet he felt entitled to a share of the winnings, the spoils. After all he had been on the frontlines and risked everything. Surely he must have thought I deserve something for my efforts and sacrifice. These spoils became something that was a snare to him, his family and the nation. We all need to make sure that when God provides a win through us that we don’t feel entitled to anything.

We need to keep in mind the words of Jesus in Luke 17:10 – So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'”
Luke 17:10 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/luk.17.10.ESV

50 Days with Jesus in the Upper Room
Day 28 – Tuesday, March 13, 2006

Today’s Assignment – Re-read John 15:1-27 and write down what you have learned from this chapter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Quote:-“Jesus (here) has already revealed the fundamental secret of Christian living, out of which everything else flows. These seven words of Jesus, “You in me and I in you,” are, in my estimation, the most profound truth ever revealed on this planet. Discovering their meaning is the business of the Christian life. Like Einstein’s formula, E = mc2, this simple statement is a description of unbelievable power.” – Dr. Ray Stedman

This Week’s Memory Verse – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

So?…..What’s it to me? – As a result of today’s study I will…