SCRIPTURE
"Gideon made the gold into an Ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his home town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family." (Judges 8:27)
OBSERVATION
Gideon fought and subdued the Midianites. Being the great warrior that he was, the Israelites wanted him to rule over them. He declined stating, "The Lord will rule over you." However, he did request that each person give him a gold earring from the plunder. In all, he collected about 43 pounds of gold which he made into an ephod (a garment worn by the priests).
The ephod could have been a great reminder of the Israelites' deliverance from the Midianites. Or, of God's faithfulness to keep his promises and fight the battle. Even a reminder that God can use people like Gideon. The Israelites chose otherwise...they worshipped it.
Gideon made a religious object which later turned around to bite him (it became a snare). The ephod in itself is a good thing. The people's response, not so good. They broke faith with God, and the first commandment, by worshipping a created thing rather than the Creator.
APPLICATION
Even a good thing can become a snare. If I obtain my security, worth, or meaning from anything, or anyone, other than God, that good thing has become an idol. I don't know that it intentionally happens, but after a while the tangible thing in front of me can become a source of comfort and security. If the Israelites can worship a shirt, I can certainly find a lot of other things to trust. Whether it's finances, family, ministry, or material goods, these things, good in themselves, cannot become a snare, replacing God as the foundation of my life. I have to be careful not to trade God for an ephod.
PRAYER
Father, I've found security, worth, and meaning in good things at times. I want my life to center on you and not on someone or something else, no matter how good. You are the one who is good. You are God.
