Judges 8:22-35 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, Rule you over us, both you, and your son, and your son's son also… A man is at his best when he overcomes a great temptation, when he shows the might of a regal spirit, and conquers himself. Gideon now reaches the climax of goodness, which is true greatness. I. Kingship OFFERED to him. Here is — 1. An appeal to the love of power. Men love power. What disaster ambition has produced! The evils of war. The tricks of diplomatists. Prostitution of talents. Sacrifice of principle. 2. An appeal to paternal affection. Positions for some, if not all, of Gideon's sons. The first of a kingly race. The founder of a royal family. An opportunity seldom presented. A rare opening. 3. An appeal to the desire of posthumous fame. To live after death a widespread and all but universal desire. One indication of our immortality. The opportunity now presented to Gideon to satisfy desire in a tangible form. His name inscribed in the roll of Israel's kings. Who is the man to refuse? Gideon. II. Kingship REJECTED by him. 1. Gideon's self-denial. 2. Gideon's patriotism. Shown as much sometimes by what a man refuses to do as by what he undertakes. 3. Gideon's loyalty to conscience. The voice of the people not always the voice of God. But the voice of conscience directed by the Bible and enlightened by the Holy Spirit is the voice of God. Listen to that voice. III. Kingship ACKNOWLEDGED by him. 1. Fidelity to God. 2. Reproof of the people. You have the theocratic form of government. The best form. Why seek to subvert the Divine arrangement? 3. A true regard for the people's welfare. The people do not always know what is for the best. Here learn that a man may do his best and seemingly fail. Gideon before his age. (Wm. Burrows, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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