Read: Judges 7:24-8:3 (Can read from 7:9)

After the amazing victory that God gave against the Midianites, the men of Ephraim were jealous that they had not been called to fight in the main battle and so they got angry at Gideon. How did Gideon respond?  

Gideon didn’t respond in anger. Instead he gave a soft answer. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A soft answer turns away wrath,” and we can see that happening this story. Gideon said to the men of Ephraim, “Even the leftover bits and pieces after your harvesters have been through, are better than all the grapes of Abiezer.” With this saying, Gideon was telling the men not to be jealous and angry at what God had done in his life, but instead to focus on the blessings that God had given them. God had allowed them to capture the escaping princes of Midian.

Gideon didn’t take the praise and glory for the wonderful victory. He acknowledged that it was God who gave the victory. God is the one who should receive all praise and glory. After this amazing victory, Gideon, by the grace of God, remained humble.

This makes us think of Christ Jesus. He is the one who humbled himself the most. He humbled himself so much that he left the glorious place he had in heaven and came down to earth to become a person like us. He humbled himself so much that he was willing to die on the cross. He did this so that we could receive salvation. We may be God’s children because of Christ’s willingness to be humble.

It’s this humility, then, that we need to show in our own lives. How can we as Christians be anything but humble? Every day we see the wonderful work of God in our lives. We see his love and grace. But we also see the talents that he gives us. So let us not boast and brag about these things but always, in humbleness, acknowledge God’s grace in the talents and gifts he gives to us. Let us praise and thank the Lord for the blessings in our lives.

Reflection with your child:

How should you respond if someone praises you for your amazing drawing or cricket skills?

Source: Sermon by Rev. R. Vermeulen