Gideon; Man of Doubt, Man of Fear, Man of Faith?Sample

Who is in charge?

“Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, ‘Rise yourself and fall upon us, for as the man is, so is his strength.’ And Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and he took the crescent ornaments that were on the necks of their camels.” (Judges 8:21)

So far, we have read each time that the Lord God gave Gideon specific commands. Then Gideon hesitated to obey them, but in the end, he did what God asked. That attitude seems to have completely changed now that the Midianite army has been defeated. Gideon calls together a larger army to pursue the enemy beyond the land borders. He kills the few remaining Midianites and also captures their kings, Zebah and Zalmuna. In the process, Gideon does not receive the support he asks the people for. Two cities, Sukkot and Pnuel, refuse him food for his soldiers. In response, Gideon reacts like a tyrant: he tortures the leaders of Sukkot and causes a massacre in Pnuel. Then he kills the kings Zebah and Zalmuna - not because God asks him to, nor to deliver Israel from their attacks, but out of personal vengeance for having killed Gideon's brothers earlier.

On the one hand, Gideon seems to have grown in his role as leader. He is no longer hesitant or fearful. He acts decisively and achieves victory over his enemies. At the same time, it seems as if the Lord no longer plays a role in this last part of the story. God's will no longer seems important to Gideon; he now sets the course for himself!

How do you judge Gideon's changed attitude? Does the balance tip positively or negatively?