Gideon’s Sense of Justice
November 27, 2021
Commentary
Gideon returned from the battle in victory (v. 13). But he wasn’t going to be satisfied until his idea of justice was fulfilled. First, he captured a young man of Succoth, gleaning from him a list of all 77 officials and elders of the city (v. 14). He then presented Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian, before the men of Succoth. He reminded them how they had refused to give hospitality to his hungry and exhausted men (v. 15). Gideon then taught the elders a lesson using thorns and briers from the wilderness (v. 16). Sounds painful. Gideon then returned to Penuel where he broke down their tower and killed all the men of the city (v. 17). Gideon’s justice was cruel and inconsistent.
Next Gideon turned his attention towards Zebah and Zalmunna. The two kings tried to flatter Gideon, implying in a roundabout way that Gideon had a kingly appearance (v. 18). But Gideon was in no mood for flattery. He wanted justicefor the men killed at Tabor, his fellow Israelites (v. 19). When Jether, Gideon’s eldest son, refused to kill them, Gideon allowed himself to be goaded into killing them himself (vv. 20-21).
Once Gideon’s sense of justice was satisfied, the men of Israel requested that he and his heirs should rule over them as kings (v. 22). They gave Gideon all the credit for the victory over the Midianites. Gideon refusing to be their king, saying, “The LORD will rule over you” (v. 23). As we will see next time, however, Gideon was not being entirely selfless.
Application
Do I really believe the words of Romans 12:19? “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Father, give me the Faith to leave justice to you and not to judge others against my own twisted sense of justice.
Judges 8:13– 23 (NET)
13 Gideon son of Joash returned from the battle by the pass of Heres. 14 He captured a young man from Sukkoth and interrogated him. The young man wrote down for him the names of Sukkoth’s officials and city leaders—seventy-seven men in all. 15 He approached the men of Sukkoth and said, “Look what I have! Zebah and Zalmunna! You insulted me, saying, ‘You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna. So why should we give bread to your exhausted men?’” 16 He seized the leaders of the city, along with some desert thorns and briers; he then “threshed” the men of Sukkoth with them. 17 He also tore down the tower of Penuel and executed the city’s men.
18 He said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “Describe for me the men you killed at Tabor.” They said, “They were like you. Each one looked like a king’s son.” 19 He said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. I swear, as surely as the Lord is alive, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.” 20 He ordered Jether his firstborn son, “Come on! Kill them!” But Jether was too afraid to draw his sword, because he was still young. 21 Zebah and Zalmunna said to Gideon, “Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his strength.” So Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent-shaped ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.
22 The men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son, and your grandson. For you have delivered us from Midian’s power.” 23 Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”