Articles and Bible Questions

Recently, I watched a video clip of collegiate runner Tanguy Pepiot, a track and field star for the University of Oregon. In the video clip, Pepiot is comfortably leading the race as he approaches the finish line. With just a few final steps to cross the finish line, he raises a hand and gestures for the crowd to cheer for him. What he didn’t realize is another runner is closing the gap. While Pepiot slows down to prematurely celebrate, his victory turns into a loss as he’s passed at the finish line. Pepiot lost the race by one tenth of a second. 

What a significant metaphor for running the race as a believer. It only takes a few moments of distraction, an allowance of hubris, a compromise of impurity, or a decision of dishonesty and years of faithful service can end in spiritual tragedy. 

Sadly, Gideon is a tragic example of this failure. This victorious general and noble judge ended decades of service by failing the Lord. We could put it this way: Gideon failed in the final lap of life. 

After his battle with the Midianites, the men of Israel come to Gideon with an invitation, and what an invitation it was: will you become our king? Gideon responds humbly—wonderfully—by saying “I will not rule over you, … the LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). What a great response! You want to congratulate Gideon for sidestepping a coronation and communicating the truth of the nation’s need to be governed by the Lord. Great job, Gideon! You’re continuing to keep the focus off yourself and onto God, even after the nation Israel wants to give you the credit for this amazing success. Sadly, while Gideon didn’t want the crown, he actually wanted something else. We’re told that Gideon asks for all the gold that his soldiers have captured from the Midianites, and he uses it to make an ephod. If you’ve been following along with my son Seth’s devotionals, the ephod was a sacred piece of clothing worn by the high priest. It was a breast-piece made of gold, inlayed with precious stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Gideon effectively wanted the power and position of the High Priest. He wanted spiritual privileges that did not belong to him. He eventually moved the nation's system of worship from the tabernacle to his own hometown of Ophrah. There Gideon masqueraded as high priest, assuming a role of spiritual superiority. Not surprisingly, we’re told in the biblical account that his scheme “became a snare to Gideon and to his family” and that “all Israel whored after it there.” 

We’ve been able to apply several positive principles from the life of Gideon worth imitating; now, from his latter years, we’re given several warnings from this tragic, final lap in the life of Gideon. 

First, spiritual success in the past is not a guarantee of spiritual success in the future. 

Frankly, Satan loves compromising Christians who assume their past victories will protect them from future danger. I’ve often found that the closer a person gets to the finish line of life, the harder it is to stay focused. After all, they’re almost home! The coast seems clear! What’s wrong with slowing down, or taking a mental detour every now and then? 

Hold fast, beloved! Run with endurance all the way to the tape. 

Second, personal failure can have broader consequences. 

This is Gideon’s personal sin, but his sin impacted his family and his nation. Soon after Gideon’s death, the nation returns to idolatry. They had followed his hypocritical leadership, and it was a mere half-step into living hypocritical lives themselves. Our sin never impacts our lives alone; it can hurt a marriage, a family, a church. So, let’s stay on track and keep our hearts on target. 

Let’s make it all the way through the final lap and cross the finish line with a race well run, for the glory of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.