Today’s Reading: Judges 7 – 8

“Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian. And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” Judges 8:22-23 (KJV)

The people of Israel had been under the rule of the Midianites; a ruthless, demon worshipping body of people who caused fear in God’s people because they were not right with God due to disobedience.

Gideon had been threshing wheat, which had been grown secretly, then was being threshed secretly (6:1-24).  At our current reading we find Gideon through the power of God had defeated the Midianites, set them to flight, and destroyed many of them.  Gideon knew from where the victory had come.

The response of the Israelites was to make Gideon their ruler; maybe their king; but Gideon would have none of it.  He made the correct decision:  “The LORD shall rule over you”.

As followers of Christ today we must realize it is not for men to rule others.  The rule of mankind must be God’s.  Mankind may have leaders; but godly leaders lead others to God, not themselves; and not by force.

Reading for March 21: Judges 9 – 10