Have you ever had one of those "I was just trying to help" moments? Maybe you offered to carry the cake to the table and you dropped it. Or perhaps you offered to dog-sit your neighbors pooch and the little guy ran away.
In JUDGES 8, it appears that Gideon tried to do a good thing. But the result was tragic. Impressed by his military exploits, the men of Israel asked Gideon to be their king. To his credit, he refused (JUDGES 8:22-23). But then he asked them to donate gold earrings, which he made into an "ephod" (v. 27). This was either a sacred garment worn by the high priest or some type of image. Why did he do this? We dont know for sure, but Gideon may have been trying to provide spiritual leadership. Whatever his motive was, God hadnt told him to do this.
When Gideon set up the ephod in Ophrah, it drew the peoples attention away from worship of the Lord and led them into idolatry (v. 27). And as soon as Gideon died, the people found it easy to go back to worshipping the Baals (v. 33).
Gideon may have had good intentions, but he make the mistake of acting without consulting the Lord. Lets be careful not to allow anything to take our eyes off our loving, holy God or it will lead us and others astray. DAVE BRANON
The Word of God provides the light
We need to see the way;
If we obey what God has said,
Well not be led astray. SPER
READ: JUDGES 8:22-27
Good intentions are no substitute for obedience.