The Apostasy (8:22–33)

Again, Israel turns away from following the Lord. The grateful Israelites ask Gideon to be their king, but he refuses. Gideon takes some gold earrings of the Midianites and makes a sacred ephod which then becomes an idol for Gideon and the rest of the Israelites. The land is at peace for the rest of Gideon’s life (about 40 years). Gideon has many wives and one concubine. Gideon, the judge of Israel, had 70 sons (8:30) and is buried at Ophrah.

My immediate devotional response to reading: Even the people whom God uses for His glory and victory can fall to greed, and the idolatry of greed is pervasive and can destroy generations. We must reject all forms of idolatry, including greed, and remain devoted to the One True God.