Quick Note – Judges 8:22-23 – Give God the Glory

Judges 8:22-23 – Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also, for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”  Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.”

In high school and college, I received a lot of rewards for my academic excellence.  I was somewhat of a scholar, so I did very well in school.  I still remember during my high school graduation when they were giving out subject awards, I received about eight of them.  In college, although I did struggle during the first year, eventually a similar thing happened.  When graduation came four years later, I also received several awards.  Because of these times when I have received recognition, I became quite proud.  I began to believe that I was the best of the best and someone who should receive a lot of respect and praise.  However, in the last seven to ten years since leaving college, I have realized that I was mistaken.  It was not because I was great that I received those rewards.  It was not because of my own strength or smarts.  It was because God was helping and enabling me during those times that I was able to excel.  Rather than praising myself and becoming puffed up, I should have been bringing glory to God. 

In our passage today, the people of Israel had just defeated Midian, a country that had been oppressing them for seven years.  God had chosen Gideon, a man of low esteem, to lead 300 men to defeat an army of 120,000.  Because of this great deliverance, Israel wanted to make Gideon and his children the king.  They wanted Gideon to rule over them.  They were giving praise and honor and glory to Gideon.  However, Gideon knew that this victory did not come from his own strength but from God’s grace and power.  So rather than taking the kingship, he pointed them towards God.  Gideon said, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the LORD will rule over you.”  He wanted to bring the people’s focus back to God.  He wanted them to give God the glory. 

In the New Testament, when Jesus was starting His ministry, John the Baptist, who was the foremost prophet of that day, was told by his disciples that many of his followers were flocking to Christ rather than to him.  Instead of being upset about losing followers, John the Baptist said something profound, “28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”  (John 3:22-30).  John knew that people should be flocking to Christ not to himself.  He wasn’t upset when people turned to Christ; he was glad that they were giving God the glory. 

In our lives, I am certain that there are times when we will receive praise.  We may be praised for our good works.  We may be praised because of the schools we have gotten into or the jobs that we have obtained.  We may be praised for our high salaries or bank accounts.  There are many times when we will be recognized, and it will be deserving.  When those times come, it is our opportunity to be a witness for Christ.  It is not wrong to be grateful for the praise and to receive it humbly.  I know how nice it feels to be distinguished; I have chased after it myself.  However, rather than allowing the praise to be focused on ourselves, we must use that opportunity to point people towards God – the One who enabled us and truly deserves the glory.  Give God the praise.