Controlled By Pride & Greed 03.25.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday March 25, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 8 -- 9 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read about Gideon making an ephod (priests apron); his death; Gideon's son Abimelech murdering 70 of his brothers; and Abimelech's accident and death. Today's message is on the importance of not falling into pride and greed.

Gideon was chosen from the tribe of Manasseh by Jehovah to deliver Israel from the Midianite oppression. Thirty-two thousand men responded to Gideon's call to war; but God chose to use just 300 men to defeat the Midianites. The other Israelites were sent home; and, with only 300 men, God defeated 135,000 Midianite soldiers in battle. "Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword." (Judges 8:10). This illustrates a twofold principle: God expects man's cooperation, but man cannot overcome his enemies without the wisdom and power of God.

The Israelites urged Gideon to be their king. It was an appeal to his pride. But Gideon knew that it was not he who had saved his people, but God who was their true King. "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." (8:22-23). Gideon knew that, as a judge of Israel, he would need God to guide him.

Sadly, the Israelites soon forgot that God was the One who had miraculously delivered them from the Midianites. In order to gain power after Gideon's death, his cruel and crafty son Abimelech negotiated a large sum of money from the Baal temple treasury to pay men to help him murder his 70 brothers in order to become King. "And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem." (9:5-6). At the moment of Abimelech's proudest achievements, Jotham, the son of Gideon who had escaped execution, warned that they would soon discover that this self-made king would bring suffering and death upon them as well as himself. "And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you....Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal." (9:7,56-57).

Abimelech is an example of a person controlled by the deceptive and destructive forces of pride, and greed. He was determined to gain selfish ends regardless of whom he destroyed. He is a reminder that God says to Be not deceived for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." (Galatians 6:7-8).

In today's studt Jesus Christ is revealed through Gideon, who delivered the Israelites from Midian. (Judges 8:22-23). The Lord Jesus has delivered us out of the hands of our spiritual enemies, and it is fitting that He should rule over us. "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" (Galatians 1:3-4).

Today's Psalm: 36:11-12
"O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I recognize that I have not always lived my life for You. At times I have been controlled by pride and living for myself. Forgive me, Lord. I need You in my life; I want You in my life. Take up residence in my heart and be my king, my Lord, and my Savior. From this day forward help me to understand when I am about to fall from this sin and to come to you. In Jesus' name, I pray...Amen

Have a terrific Tuesday and God Bless You.
Christina

Visit A Spiritual Guide
www.aspiritualguide.net