Who gets the credit, you or your God?

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Judges 8

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Gideon becomes a successful commander and subdues the Midianites, but when asked to rule the Israelites he said "I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you.” 

Gideon, however, didn't exactly deny himself the blessings of the spoils of war, fathering 70 sons by many wives and presumably had the means to provide. And he had made a golden ephod (see examples of what it may have looked like). 

The ephod took on a life of its own, apparently symbolizing Gideon's achievements instead of the LORD's: "all Israel prostituted themselves to it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family."

But there isn't any real condemnation of Gideon in this chapter. We aren't to be denied the pleasures of the world but must remember where they came from. It's not through our own efforts but through guidance from our higher self, from our connection to the divine. 

Unlike the generations of Israelites who saw and participated in the miracles of Moses and Joshua (most notably, the Red Sea and Jordan crossings), Gideon's achievements, which he credited to the LORD, were in darkness or on foreign soil.

The Israelites, however, credited Gideon and not the LORD. So when he died, they went back to their old ways.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles (subscribe), The Daily Bible Chapter (subscribe), JL Cells (subscribe), and The MVP Chase (subscribe). Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)