基甸的失败
士师记八章22至28节
22以色列人对基甸说：“你既救我们脱离米甸人的手，愿你和你的儿孙管理我们。”
23基甸说：“我不管理你们，我的儿子也不管理你们，惟有耶和华管理你们。”
24基甸又对他们说：“我有一件事求你们：请你们各人将所夺的耳环给我。”（原来仇敌是以实玛利人，都是戴金耳环的。）
25他们说：“我们情愿给你。”就铺开一件外衣，各人将所夺的耳环丢在其上。
26基甸所要出来的金耳环，重一千七百舍客勒金子。此外还有米甸王所戴的月环、耳坠和所穿的紫色衣服，并骆驼项上的金链子。
27基甸以此制造了一个以弗得，设立在本城俄弗拉，后来以色列人拜那以弗得行了邪淫。这就作了基甸和他全家的网罗。
28这样，米甸人被以色列人制伏了，不敢再擡头。基甸还在的日子，国中太平四十年。
信息分享
圣经如实记载事实，它没有将英雄人物的错失故意略去隐藏起来。然而，我们要感谢神的赦罪。让我提醒大家，新约希伯来书十一章所列的信心伟人，基甸也名列其中，那里没有提到他的失败，因为神已赦免了他，并将他的错失抹去。神赦免人的罪时，就会将他的罪过洗净。
现在让我们回到士师记第八章的故事。以色列人非常感激基甸拯救他们脱离米甸人的手，因此想立他作王。基甸回答得很好。他提醒他们已经有王管理他们──神已经亲自作他们的王。
但他却继续说：「不过，你们如果想向我表达谢意，可将你们战争中夺得的一些金耳环给我。」于是，百姓都乐意依从，给他的金子重达20公斤。
基甸将耳环熔了，造了一个以弗得。甚么是以弗得？那是祭司穿着的上衣，特别是当日他寻求神的带领时穿着的。但此刻却变成了一个挂饰，甚或是一件受人敬拜的物件。它无疑是很漂亮，吸引很多人来观赏，可惜最终却引致以色列人回到敬拜偶像的老路上。连基甸和他的家人也掉入此陷阱。
基甸可能从没想过，这件精美的金衣会带来甚么影响。他可能认为，神会透过它来引导他们。但撒但却利用它来引诱以色列人走入歧途。
基甸带领以色列人约四十年之久。连最优秀的领袖也会失足。我们当紧记保罗的话：「自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒。」（林前十12）还有犹大的劝勉：「[祂]能保守你们永不失脚。」（犹24）感谢神，因为祂让耶稣基督给予我们救赎，并以祂的大能来保守我们。我们每时每刻，都要求神保守我们胜过试探。
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.