11: Internal disunity; Savor or Oppressor? (Judges 8:1 – 21)

Though Gideon and 300 won the battle, the following story is a bit disappointing. 

Read Judges 8:1 - 21

Q1. Why were the Ephramites angry at Gideon? How did Gideon appease them?

Gideon didn’t call them to the battle. Gideon said to them, “Ephraimites did more than Gideon’s army.”

In ancient times, going to war was the fastest way to gain wealth, though it required risking your life. The Ephraimites were unhappy that they missed the chance to plunder the Midianites. Additionally, the Ephraimites were known for their envy and pride among the Israelites.

Gideon wisely appeased the Ephraimites by speaking words that flattered their pride. However, he harshly punished the people of Succoth and Peniel when his pride was wounded.

Q2. Why did the people of Succoth and Peniel not support Gideon? 

These two towns are Israelite towns located where the Jabbok River meets the Jordan River. They hesitated to help Gideon out of fear of retaliation from the Midianites in case Gideon failed to completely defeat them. Even though God had granted Gideon an astounding victory, they could not be certain he would successfully eliminate the two retreating Midianite kings and their remaining troops. They judged based on the visible circumstances, saying, “You have not yet overpowered Zebah and Zalmunna.” (v. 6) This mirrors Gideon’s own initial lack of faith in God’s calling and promise of victory.

Q3. Gideon perceived their refusal to support him as an (           ) to his leadership (15). On his return, he captured a man from Succoth and (          ) him to write down (        ) city leaders. He (        ) them with briers and thorns. He also tore down the (       ) of Peniel and killed the city’s men.

Gideon perceived their refusal to support him as an ( insult ) to his leadership (15). On his return, he captured a man from Succoth and ( interrogated ) him to write down ( seventy-seven ) city leaders. He ( threshed ) them with briers and thorns. He also tore down the ( tower ) of Peniel and killed the city’s men. 

Gideon oppressed and killed his fellow Israelites whom he was supposed to deliver. 

Gideon viewed the townspeople’s response as mocking him, yet he himself had mocked God and even challenged His authority. Asking the angel of the Lord for a sign was an act of mockery, and asking for a sign of victory despite God’s clear commissioning was a challenge to God’s authority. To such a Gideon, God responded with patience and mercy. However, Gideon, forgetting his own past unbelief, ruled tyrannically over his fellow Israelites who doubted his victory.

Q4. Gideon ordered (          ) to kill the two kings. When the boy hesitated, the two kings said to Gideon, “Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his (              ).” Gideon killed them and took (                          ) from their camels.

Gideon ordered ( his son ) to kill the two kings. When the boy hesitated, the two kings said to Gideon, “Come on, you strike us, for a man is judged by his ( strength ).” Gideon killed them and took ( crescent-shaped ornaments ) from their camels.

Gideon’s request for his son Jether to kill the two kings may have been an attempt to raise him as a courageous leader. When Jether hesitated due to his youth, Gideon carried out the execution himself. The Bible records the words of the Midianite kings, who said, “A man is judged by his strength,” emphasizing their perspective. This suggests that the biblical author wanted to highlight that Gideon had adopted a pagan view of leadership based on strength.

By taking the crescent-shaped ornaments, Gideon embraced symbols of wealth and idolatry. Though he verbally refused to be called a king (8:23), his actions resembled those of a pagan king. The author reveals Gideon’s inner conflict about his desire for kingship.

Though Gideon is listed as a man of faith in Hebrews 11:32 and did deliver Israel from the Midianites, he was far from a perfect leader. When his pride was wounded, he oppressed and even killed fellow Israelites, showing a lack of compassion and humility. Leaders today should be careful not to prioritize ministry results over the well-being of their brothers and sisters, avoiding any tendency to dictate or oppress in the name of productivity. Gideon was a deliverer, but he was not a healer—a reminder that true leadership in faith involves nurturing, not just achieving.