Scripture
Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family. Judges 8:27
Observation
Gideon had come a long way since the days of hiding from the Midianites in his families threshing floor. He was no longer playing the “wet wool” game with God to determine if he could trust God. Gideon tore down the Asherah pole and altar to Baal in his hometown. He went through the sifting process of God thinning down his army from 22,000 to 300. He saw God defeat the Midianite army in front of his eyes. He resisted the temptation to have people worship him instead of God, but at the very height of his victory and accomplishments he made one concession to his ego that became his downfall: “23But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The Lord will rule over you! 24However, I do have one request—that each of you give me an earring from the plunder you collected from your fallen enemies.” (The enemies, being Ishmaelites, all wore gold earrings.)” Judges 8:23-24. He started his journey with God by tearing down the symbols of false worship in his community and ended up building a new one in his own image. Pride comes before a fall (Prov. 16:18). Peter knew what it was like to fall hard due to pride. Years later after his own downfall and three-fold denial of Jesus he wrote to the church, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
Application
I can’t help but wonder if this isn't exactly what the actor Denzel Washington had in mind when he leaned over to Will Smith and whispered in his ear, “At your highest moment, be careful, that’s when the devil comes for you”. This was said, of course, right after the infamous “slap heard around the world”. Will Smith, in defense of his wife Jada, went up and slapped Chris Rock in live television in the middle of the Academy Awards. Many words have been spilled on this incident and I don’t wish to defend either Will or Chris. What I do want to do is learn from this so I don’t make the same mistake and let pride and anger get the better of me. No one really knows what Will Smith is battling on the inside, but sadly this joke at his wife’s expense was the straw that broke that camels back and he lost it. The highest achievement an actor can receive is an Academy Award. Sadly, no one is talking about his Oscar. Denzel was right! It’s at our highest moment that we are the most vulnerable to the attack of the enemy through our pride and ego. It turns out the real battle is after the we’ve won the battle.
Prayer
Lord, I don’t want to undo everything You’ve done through me because I begin to think it was all because of me. Gideon figured an ephod would be fine because its not “as bad” as taking the throne. Sadly, he had already let pride be enthroned in his heart and believed the lie that he deserved a little recognition. If I give the enemy the closet he will take the castle. Show me any place of pride or arrogance in me that could steal your glory. Any place where I’ve given the enemy a foothold in my life through anger or entitlement must be exposed. This is not about my glory, but Your’s. This is not about my red carpet, but Your’s.
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