基甸的失敗
士師記八章22至28節
22以色列人對基甸說：“你既救我們脫離米甸人的手，願你和你的兒孫管理我們。”
23基甸說：“我不管理你們，我的兒子也不管理你們，惟有耶和華管理你們。”
24基甸又對他們說：“我有一件事求你們：請你們各人將所奪的耳環給我。”（原來仇敵是以實瑪利人，都是戴金耳環的。）
25他們說：“我們情願給你。”就鋪開一件外衣，各人將所奪的耳環丟在其上。
26基甸所要出來的金耳環，重一千七百舍客勒金子。此外還有米甸王所戴的月環、耳墜和所穿的紫色衣服，並駱駝項上的金鏈子。
27基甸以此製造了一個以弗得，設立在本城俄弗拉，後來以色列人拜那以弗得行了邪淫。這就作了基甸和他全家的網羅。
28這樣，米甸人被以色列人制伏了，不敢再抬頭。基甸還在的日子，國中太平四十年。
信息分享
聖經如實記載事實，它沒有將英雄人物的錯失故意略去隱藏起來。然而，我們要感謝神的赦罪。讓我提醒大家，新約希伯來書十一章所列的信心偉人，基甸也名列其中，那裡沒有提到他的失敗，因為神已赦免了他，並將他的錯失抹去。神赦免人的罪時，就會將他的罪過洗淨。
現在讓我們回到士師記第八章的故事。以色列人非常感激基甸拯救他們脫離米甸人的手，因此想立他作王。基甸回答得很好。他提醒他們已經有王管理他們──神已經親自作他們的王。
但他卻繼續說：「不過，你們如果想向我表達謝意，可將你們戰爭中奪得的一些金耳環給我。」於是，百姓都樂意依從，給他的金子重達20公斤。
基甸將耳環熔了，造了一個以弗得。甚麼是以弗得？那是祭司穿著的上衣，特別是當日他尋求神的帶領時穿著的。但此刻卻變成了一個掛飾，甚或是一件受人敬拜的物件。它無疑是很漂亮，吸引很多人來觀賞，可惜最終卻引致以色列人回到敬拜偶像的老路上。連基甸和他的家人也掉入此陷阱。
基甸可能從沒想過，這件精美的金衣會帶來甚麼影響。他可能認為，神會透過它來引導他們。但撒但卻利用它來引誘以色列人走入歧途。
基甸帶領以色列人約四十年之久。連最優秀的領袖也會失足。我們當緊記保羅的話：「自己以為站得穩的，須要謹慎，免得跌倒。」（林前十12）還有猶大的勸勉：「[祂]能保守你們永不失腳。」（猶24）感謝神，因為祂讓耶穌基督給予我們救贖，並以祂的大能來保守我們。我們每時每刻，都要求神保守我們勝過試探。
GIDEON - THE MAN WHO MEANT WELL BUT FAILED
Judges 8:22-28
22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.”
23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.”
24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.
25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into it the earrings from his plunder.
26 Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks.
27 Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.
28 Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon.
Message
'Watch yourself or you also may be tempted.' Galatians 6:1.
The Bible is very honest. It does not conceal the failure of its heroes. But thank God for forgiveness. Let me remind you that the New Testament mentions Gideon among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. It does not record his failure. That was past and forgiven. When God forgives, he forgets.
But the story is there in Judges chapter 8. It begins with the Israelies being so grateful to Gideon for delivering them from bondage to Midian, they wanted to make him their king. Gidoen replied well. He reminded them that they already had a king- God himself, if they would only recognise him.
'But', said Gideon, 'if you want to show your appreciation, give me some of the gold earrings you took in the war'. The men did this gladly. The total was possibly 20 kg weight.
Gideon melted the gold and made an ephod. What was that? Originally an ephod was an upper garment worn by a priest. It was particularly used when seeking the Lord's guidance. Here it would seem to be a wall hanging, or even a free standing object of worship. No doubt it was beautiful and many people would come to see it. But sad to say it led the Israelis back into idolatry. Even Gideon and his own family fell into the same trap.
Gideon never realised what this beautiful golden object might mean. He may have thought it would help provide Divine guidance in some way. Satan used it to lead Israel astray.
It would seem Gideon led Israel for forty years. Even the best of leaders can fail. Remember Paul's words: 'If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall'. 1 Corinthians 10:12. Listen to Jude also: 'He is able to keep you from falling.' Jude 24. Praise God for Jesus Christ and for his keeping power. Ask him to keep you in any time of temptation today.