Real Grace for Real Sinners

Rev. Chris Hull, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Judges 8:22-35.

The threat from Midian has ended, but the threat of idolatry remains as Gideon’s leadership of Israel comes to an end. Though Gideon’s refusal of his own dynasty over Israel sounds pious, his deeds take him beyond the leadership the LORD’s Word had given him. As he receives the spoils of war, he goes beyond their proper use and crafts an ephod that becomes an idolatrous snare for him, his family, and Israel. Any such attempt to make something holy by our own ways must fail; only the Word of God can sanctify. Gideon’s family life foreshadows the coming faithlessness of Abimelech and those under his leadership, when idolatry in Israel only grows. Still, the LORD is gracious in giving rest from Midian. The end of Gideon’s life is a vivid reminder that the LORD’s forgiveness is real grace for real sinners.

“Rebellion and Rescue” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Judges. This book is characterized by a familiar. As the generations after Joshua forget the LORD and what He has done for Israel, they fall into idolatry. The LORD gives them over into the hands of their enemies in order to bring them to their senses. When they cry out to Him in repentance, He sends a judge to rescue them and give them rest for a time, until they relapse into idolatry once more. In this cycle, we see a picture of our own Christian life. Daily, the old Adam in us is drowned in contrition and repentance, and the new man emerges in Baptismal forgiveness to live in righteousness and purity before God forever.