Our Legacy: Words or Actions?

Father and Daughter by (c) Helene Souza at www.sxc.hu

Father and Daughter by (c) Helene Souza at www.sxc.hu

Gideon, the great deliverer and judge of Israel, said the right thing!  Gideon said, “I will not rule over you and my son will not rule over you, the Lord will rule over you” (Judges 8:23).  The people wanted to make him king after his great victory, but he refused. He pointed the people to the Lord in a great statement.  His statement serves as a summary lesson for what God was intending to teach the people in the book of Judges.  It is the opposite of the book’s famous refrain, “the people did what was right in their own eyes, because there was no king in Israel” (17:6; 21:25).

Gideon said the right line, but he didn’t live it!  When you consider Gideon’s life compared to this statement you get a  blurry and mixed portrait.  While refusing to be king, he proceeded to act like a king.  He does actions similar to a king in creating an ephod; which seems to have some idolatrous connection and was a snare to Israel (8:27).  He creates a personal harem of many wives fathering 70 sons.  He names one of his sons, born of a concubine, Abimelech, which means “my father is king.”

Thus, Gideon’s legacy is one of great faith and victory, but also one of shame and failed leadership.  After his passing, Abimelech will kill all of his brothers with the exception of one.  The children of Israel are soon suppressed once again and they continue to struggle with idolatry.

The story of Gideon reminds us that our legacy and impact is shaped more by what we do, than what we say!  We must live a life that is consistent with our words!  Gideon’s life was contradictory to his words and his legacy was tainted.  I believe we can see ourselves in this more than we would like to admit.  It is easy to say the right things  or know the doctrinal statements to make.  But what story does our life tell?

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1 comment

  1. I like the line, “our legacy and impact is shaped more by what we do, than what we say.”

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