April 20, 2025 • 38 mins
# 131 - Gideon Part III: The Compromised Leader - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Gideon descends into pride and vengeance, punishing his own people and building a rival altar that draws Israel into idolatry. What began as a story of faith ends in compromise, revealing the subtle, destructive power of unchecked success.
Episode 131 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
Sign up for The Chosen People devotionals at https://www.thechosenpeople.com/sign-up
For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Listen to some of the greatest Bible stories ever told and make prayer a priority in your life by downloading the Pray.com app.
Show Notes:
(01:42) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:41) Gideon Part III: The Compromised Leader
(32:57) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The Lord is beside you, and before you. Gideon's out
of Jewish.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Nobody in the right mind would send me rescue anyone.
If you were the Lord, you'd know that somewhat of
a professional coward may be true. Sword of Gideon is
to be greatly feared. There are rumors that his God
speaks to him. What do you think, he says, they're
(00:28):
afraid of me. No, they're afraid of me. A rise,
A rise, Man of Israel.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
The men awoke and came to him. Gideon was beaming
with encouragement. He was a new man, invigorated for the
battle ahead.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
The Lord has given us. Bideon, be brave, be strong,
for God has already given us victory.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Then, as if the trumpets of the Angels armies were
descending from heaven, all three hundred men blew their trumpets.
The collective sounds shook the earth. Then they threw their
glass jars onto the valley below, and the crashing was terrifying,
and the trumpets were deafening. The Median knites couldn't see
(01:14):
how many men were above them. They guessed it was
hundreds of thousands, judging by their sound. Then all at once.
The men began to shout for the Lord and forget in.
The men cheered and lifted their swords high in the air.
Gideon drew his sword and ran in front. They charged
the camp and overwhelmed the remaining Mediannite.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
The line between a leader and a tyrant is often
drawn in Pride Shello, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, i'my l extein with the international
Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
This is where the story shifts, where a man chosen, humbled,
(02:04):
forged in fear, begins to taste the power that he's
been given. It's the story the hero at the height
of victory, at the peak of honor. But as Judges
eight unfolds, we see something change. What happens when a
leader so deeply dependent on God begins to believe in
his own greatness. In this third episode of Gideon's story,
(02:29):
inspired by Judges eight, we find ourselves face to face
with this haunting question. When does strength stop being a
gift and become a weakness instead.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Gideon stood atop a hill, gazing down at the broken
enemy below, his sword hung at his side, its edge
red with blood. He watched as the Medianiites fled in
every direction, stumbling over each other, like ants scurrying from
a flame. A strange warmth unfurled in his chest. It
(03:05):
was not the warmth of peace or gratitude. It was
something sharper, something far more dangerous.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
For the Lord and for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
His brow lifted as the words echoed in his mind.
His lips curled into a slow, thoughtful smile. And for Gideon,
he tasted it, savored it. The weight of it was
satisfying in his mouth, like honey on the tongue. He
rolled his shoulders back, standing taller than he had before.
(03:39):
His steps grew bolder. His stride was no longer that
of a man afraid to be seen, but of a
man who wanted to be seen. He twirled his sword
in his hand, testing its weight with the ease of
a seasoned warrior.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
For the Lord and for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
The soldiers below heard him, and their voices rose to
meet his. For the Lord and for Gideon, the chant
filled him with something more than courage. It was power.
He felt it in his chest, warm and swelling, No
longer the runt of the letter, no longer the weekly
(04:17):
hiding in a wine press, no longer the man desperate
for a sign from God. He was Gideon, the Sword
of Israel, and his enemies fled at the sound of
his name. The next day, Gideon mounted a stolen Medianite cowl,
its hooves clattering against the rocky earth as he rode
(04:39):
at the head of his army. His three hundred men
followed close behind, their torches still flickering from the Knight's attack.
Ahead of them, the vast Medianite force was scattered across
the countryside, running for refuge. But there would be no refuge.
Every tribe of Israel had heard of Gideon's victory. They
(05:01):
knew the name of the man who had driven the
Medianites from their lands. They too had suffered under Medianite rule,
their grains stolen, their livestock plundered, their homes burned. So
when the survivors of median sought refuge in the surrounding cities,
they were met not with mercy but with blades. Every city,
(05:22):
every tribe, every man with a grudge against the invaders,
struck them down. As they fled. Word of Gideon spread
like wildfire. He was no longer just the youngest son
of Joash, no longer the least of the tribe of Manassa.
He was Gideon the conqueror, Gideon the judge, Gideon the
(05:45):
terror of Median. But something shifted in him. The purity
of the victory faded, replaced by something darker. His gaze
grew harder, his hand quicker to violence. The joy of
the deliverance twisted into the satisfaction of dominance. Every strike
of his sword, every scream of a medianiited soldier, every
(06:09):
enemy prince that knelt before him, it all fed something
inside him.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
That he had not known.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Was there the anger of a boy mocked by his brothers,
the rage of a man who had once been powerless
no more. They set up camp that night, Their tents
circled around a larger war tent of the center. Inside.
Gideon stood at a round table, His generals and advisers
(06:39):
gathered around him. Maps and markers were spread across the table,
inked lines tracing paths of pursuit. Gideon dragged his finger
across one of the maps, his eyes sharp with purpose.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Zebra and Zilumma are all that remain the last two
princes of midian A scouts say they've taken refuge in Kharkar.
They have fifteen thousand men left no more.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
His right hand man, Poorah, folded his arms, tilting his
head with mild doubt.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
It's a long march, Gideon. We'll need more food than water.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Gideon's fingers stopped on the map, pressing down on a
mark representing the city of Sukkeeth.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Suketh lies on our path to Kharkor. We'll take what
we need from there.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
They are rumors, They say Suketh and Penuos still have
loyalty to the Medianites.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
If in march there we risk being ambushed. Am I
not Gideon the destroyer of Midianites. Every city in Israel
has risen to my call. Sukkeath will do the same.
We are children of Israel, are we not? They will
(07:50):
aid us.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
The men around him nodded, though Poura's eyes lingered on him.
A moment longer, the flap of the tent burst open,
and two older men stormed in, faces red with fury.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
You glory hawk, you snake, Who do you think you are.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Gideon's hands shot to his sword, his generals doing the same,
steel flashing in the firelight.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Who are you the barge into my tent? Name yourselves.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
We are the elders of Ephraim. You much toward without us.
You robbed us of the glory of battle.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Their voices rose with every word. Their pride had been wounded,
and now they sought restitution.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
My brothers, have you not shared in the glory? Was
it not your men who captured Arab and Zeb, the
princess of Midian? Did God not give them into your hands?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
The two elders hesitated. They glanced at each other, their
anger softening.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
You accomplished far more than I. Here I am still
chasing seen two Midianite princes, while you have already slain.
To glory is yours? Brothers? You have shown all Israel
what it means to be mighty men of God.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Their chests swelled with pride, nodding in agreement, their grievances forgotten.
They left the tent with their heads high. Gideon smiled
to himself, shaking his head. Too easy, he thought, the
man who once begged for signs from God had learned
how to control men without divine intervention. Words had become
(09:34):
his new weapon. Poorah watched him from the corner of
the room, his face unreadable. You handled them well, Gideon
said nothing at first, only glanced down at the maps
on the table. His eyes lingered on Kharkour, then shifted
to Suckeeth.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
They forget who I am. I am Gideon, the destroyer
of Minionites. They will learn to remember.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
His voice had changed. It carried an edge, now as
sharp as his sword. It was no longer for the
Lord and for Gideon. Soon it would simply be for Gideon.
The sun bore down mercilessly on the valley, its light
dancing on the surface of the Jordan River. The water
(10:23):
rushed forward with a steady roar, its current unyielding, relentless.
Gideon stood at the river's edge, his eyes locked on
the blue shimmer of water. It was beautiful, yes, but
it was also strong, stronger than it had any right
to be. He glanced back at his men. Their faces
(10:44):
were lined with exhaustion, their clothes stained with sweat and blood.
The march had been long, their rations depleted, and their
bodies worn, thin, shoulders sad under the weight of armor
and weapons. Some men lead on their spears just to
stay upright. Hunger gnawed at them, but Gideon had seen
(11:06):
that look before in his own reflection. The slouched posture,
the downcast eyes, the quiet thoughts of surrender. He hated it,
then he hated.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
It now forward crossed the river.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
The men lifted their backs and waded into the water,
their breath hissing through their teeth as the cold gripped them.
Swords and shields were hoisted overhead as they tread carefully,
legs trembling against the current. Gideon watched them fight the
water with a quiet pride swelling in his chest. One
(11:42):
soldier slept his foot catching on a stone. The current
pulled them under. Another tried to help, but lost his
foot in too. Both were swept away, their panic gasps
swallowed by the roar of the river. Gideon's eyes followed
them until they vanished downstream. He didn't flinch. Gideon, shouldn't
(12:02):
we help them?
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Keep moving?
Speaker 1 (12:05):
His men pressed on their eyes, darting from the water
below to the man ahead of them. Gideon was not
the same man who hid in a wine press. They
reached the city of Sacketh in the later hours of
the afternoon. The jagged stone walls rose high above them,
blocking the sun's harsh glare. There was only one gait,
(12:27):
a narrow passage framed by thick wooden beams. It was
the kind of place that made a man feel watched
the moment he entered. The soldiers kept their weapons close.
The men of Saccoth were Israelites, but they did not
feel like kin. Suspicious eyes watched them from every window.
They had expected the gates to swing open and welcome. Instead,
(12:50):
the people looked at them as if they were no
better than the Medianites they chased. Gideon and Purah approached
the city square, where the elders of Sucketh were heated
at a long wooden table. Their robes were clean, their
bellies full, and their faces sour with suspicion. One of
them spat in Gideon's direction.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Gideon's shun of joe Ash, Why are you here? My
brother's peace be with you. Our war against the Midianites
is nearly won. Zebu and Zi Luma, the last of
the enemy princes, flee before us. They've taken refuge in Corcore,
and we aim to be there by tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
What does that have to do with us?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Gideon's smile twitched, but remained.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
My men are exhausted we've marched and fought for days.
I ask only for bread and water. Supply us and
we'll be on our way.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
The elders leaned into one another, whispering. Gideon and Lapourah
exchanged a glance. The elders sat back, smug now as
they had made a decision that pleased them greatly.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Nah, we won't be helping you.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Move along now, I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
What you'll receive no help from us, no bread, no water, nothing.
Now run along to your game of Midian eyed hide
and seek.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Would you deny bread to your own kin? You would
leave us to starve while we are on the brink
of victory.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Victory?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
What victory?
Speaker 5 (14:31):
I don't see the heads of sea buns almona in
your hands. All I see is a man who once
hid from his brothers and stole his food in secrets.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Do you think we've forgotten You're the rund Gideon, still
are as far as I can see. Come back with
the heads of your.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Enemies, and perhaps you'll see some bread you.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Laughter filled the room. Gideon's hand flew to his sword,
and in one motion he drew it high and bolted
down on the table. The woods splintered, but only barely.
It was a poor strike. The elders leaned back, laughing harder.
Now Gideon's failed attempt at threatening them only made things worse.
(15:14):
Gideon struggled to pull his sword from the table.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Woo the little wolves got no bite.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Poorah reached for his blade, but Gideon raised a hand
to stop him. His eyes burned with quiet fury. Slowly
he sheathed his sword, drawing a long breath through his nose.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Very well, I'll leave with my men.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
But then he stepped forward, his hands pressing down on
the table, his eyes locking with the elders.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
When the Lord delivers Zebra and the Luma into my hand,
I will return, And when I do, I will fill
your flesh with thorns and briars.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
The elder's face twitched, his grin and faltering for the
first time, his eyes shifted to the ground. Gideon pushed
away from the table, a wicked smile curling at the
edge of his lips sees. He turned and strode out
of the hall, Bourah at his side. What now, men
(16:18):
neat food. If we don't replenish our supplies, we'll never
make it to car Gideon's eyes were forward, his face
set like stone.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
We go to Penuel, perhaps they'll be wiser than their
sister city.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
The Tower of Penuel rose high into the sky, its
shadow cast long over the city below. It was a
symbol of pride, a monument to their strength. Gideon eyed
it with quiet disdain as he passed through the gates.
The council of Penuel was no warmer than Sucketh.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
We ask only for bread. Give my men what they need,
and we will leave.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
The elder of Penuel barely waited for him to finish.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Get your victory, and you'll get your bread.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
But not before Gideon's eyes flicked to the tower.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
I will come back for my bread, and when I do,
I will tear down that tower stone by stone.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
He didn't wait for their reply. He left the hall
with a fire in his chest and his jaw set
like iron. His hands were trembling, but not from fear.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I see the loss of what I'm capable of.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Gideon failed to reflect on why he was being met
with so much disrespect. His victories were not his own,
they were the lords, and the further Gideon strayed from
the Lord's heart, the more resistance he would find. The
stillness of the battlefield was unlike any Gideon had known.
(17:55):
No shouts, no clash of steel, no roar of trumpets.
The city of khar Kor lay before him like a beast,
with its belly exposed. No guards on the eastern side,
no watchmen on the walls. The campfires flickered lazily in
the cool night air. Gideon crouched on a ridge, gazing
(18:16):
down with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His generals
knelt beside him, waiting for orders.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
No centuries, no lookouts. They think they're safe, furs they
thought I wouldn't come for them.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
He turned to his men, his voice low but full
of iron.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
We attack at night. No torches, no horns, no grand gestures.
We go straight for the heart. We kill the guards,
set the tints ablaze, and drag the princes from the fire.
Once Zebra and Zaluma are ours, the rest will flee
like rats. No mercy, no prisoners.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
The men nodded. It was not the plan of attacked.
It was not the plan of a warrior. It was
the plan of a scavenger. The moon was hidden behind
a blanket of clouds, and the world below was cast
in shadow. Gideon's men moved in the darkness, like whispers
of wind. Bare feet on stone blades, held low breath,
(19:19):
quiet as death itself, Gideon led the charge, every step deliberate.
He crouched behind a tent as two guards walked past.
They spoke softly to one another, their voices too distant
to be understood. Gideon rose behind them, his dagger in hand.
In one swift motion, he grabbed the first guard from behind,
(19:42):
Clamping a hand over his mouth, the dagger slid across
his throat, quick and clean. The guard's body went limp.
The second guard spun, eyes wide with shock, but Gideon
was faster. His blade plunged into the man's stomach, deep
and twist. He felt the warmth of blood on his
(20:02):
hands as he lowered the body to the ground. He
wiped his hands on his tunic, breath, steady, eyes cold.
He dragged the bodies behind the boulder and glanced at
his man, nodding. Once the shadows moved again, tents were ignited.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
One by one.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Small flames licked at the edges of canvas until the
entire camp came to life in a blaze. Smoke billowed upward,
and screams echoed through the valley, the Mediannited soldiers stumbled
out of their tents, coughing and shouting to one another.
Chaos spread like wildfire. They groped for weapons, tripped over
(20:40):
one another, and ran in every direction, but Gideon was
in pursuit. He strode toward the largest tent at the
heart of the camp, where the princes slept. His eyes
gleamed like embers in the night. He grabbed a torch
from the ground, raised it high, and flung it on
to the roof of the tent. Flame spread instantly, devouring
(21:02):
the fabric, turning it to ash.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Come out, little princes, come out, or burn with your gold.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
The canvas erupted in flame, and from within the muffled
shouts of panic. Moments later, two figures stumbled out, choking
on smoke. It was then Ziba and Zalmana, the last
of the Median Nite princes. Gideon broke into a sprint.
Poor close behind Gideon moved like a wolf chasing wounded prey.
(21:35):
Zibal's leg buckled as a dagger thrown by Gideon buried
itself in his calf. He collapsed with a pained shout,
clawing at the dirt Zalmana turned eyes wild, face twisted
with rage. He saw Gideon coming and roared, charging with
a sword in hand. The two of them crashed together,
a tangle of limbs and steel. Gideon's back slimmed against
(21:59):
the ground, his breath driven from his lungs. He gasped,
panic rising in his chest. Zalmonar's hands wrapped around his neck,
crushing his windpipe. Gideon clawed at his wrists, his eyes
bulging with fear.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Not like this, not like this, No, let me go.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Zhaumonar grinned at Gideon's cowardice. The world diomed around him.
His vision blurred, his thoughts grew sluggish. His hands searched
the ground beside him, desperate for anything to save him.
His fingers found a stone. He gripped it tight With
the last flicker of his strength. He swung it upward,
but it did nothing. The Prince laughed and pressed further.
(22:43):
Gideon began to cry like a child. Just then Poorah appeared,
leaping onto Zalmanah and slamming him into the dirt. He
twisted the Prince's arms behind him, binding them with rope.
Other men swarmed Zeba, dragging him to the ground and
tying his hands behind his back. Gideon lay on his back,
(23:03):
breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like a bellow's,
His eyes locked onto the two princes, bound and bleeding
in the dirt. Now in the power position again, Gideon's
tone turned back to arrogance for the Lord.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
And for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
The path to Sucketh was steep, winding, and shaded by
cypress trees, but there was no peace in the shade.
Gideon's heart was a storm, his mind a whirlpool of
fury and hunger. His hands gripped the reins of his camel.
Bound to the beast. Was Zeba and Zalmanah, limping behind,
(23:46):
like cattle dragged to slaughter. The sun was setting when
Gideon entered Sukeeth. He strode through the gates with his
head high, his generals behind him, his prisoners bound like trophies.
The people stared. He had them all dragged from their homes.
The seventy seven elders brought before him. They knelt, shaking,
(24:09):
eyes downcast.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
Behold Ziba Hans Luma. I have conquered them. Ha ha.
I asked for bread, and you gave me scorn. Now
I give you justice mind the elders of Sukof I
made a promise that I intend to keep.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
They were lashed to posts. Gideon pulled a whip of
thorns from his belt. It beached into their flesh, with
every stripe blood spilling on the stone below. The elders screamed,
but Gideon did not stop.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
How dare you todd me?
Speaker 2 (24:48):
How dare you refuse me?
Speaker 1 (24:51):
His face was twisted wild. His soldiers glanced at one another, uneasy.
This is not Gideon, they thought, but it was. It
had always been cowards, when given power, turn into the
very people they had always feared. Next on his rampage
(25:14):
of vengeance was the city of Penuel. Gideon's hands were
still stained red from the blood of the Sircothian elders.
He walked with intent into the city and shouted.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Leaders of Penuel, where are you? Come out?
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Slowly the people of Penuel emerged from their homes and businesses.
Gideon's eyes were dark with bloodthirst and indignant rage.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I have come here to fulfill a promise. Bring in
the oxen.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
He turned to the tower in the middle of the
city and shouted to his men. They brought in a
dozen oxen and yoked them to the tower. They had
the oxen pull at the pillars holding up the base
of the tower, and slowly it began to crag. The
citizens of Penuel cried out in horror as the great
tower crumbled to the ground. The crash shook the earth,
(26:09):
and many men in the city ran and attacked Gideon.
He dropped his sword and killed a young man.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
He tried to stop it.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
More came out, and Gideon killed them with the edge
of his blade.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
He and the.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Rest of his men battled against the men of Penuel,
and one by one they fell. Gideon was a man
possessed by anger. On the outside, it looked like righteousness,
but God knew what dwelled within his heart. God knew
that he was still a frightened child, lashing out because
he felt small. God could see the wickedness of the
(26:44):
compromised judge. Hundreds of Penuellian men lay dead on the floor.
Gideon stood over them like a lion over his kill.
The media knited princes were still bound in the corner watching.
They scoffed at Gideon's unhinged rage.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
The sword of Gideon, his great liber reveared.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Gideon looked over and marched towards them.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
You are right here now the I'm done here. It's
time to deal with you. Whatever you have come you hit,
sneaky lucky man.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Gideon took his sword out of the man's shoulder and
pointed to one of his sons, Jetha, my boy, come in.
Gideon placed a sword in Jutha's hand and gestured to
the prince's The boy was frozen in place. He did
not want any hand in his father's outrage.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Kill them, kill us yourself. If you are a man
of spray, he wouldn't kill this already.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Take your sword and in this tower.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
He spat again towards Gideon. Gideon wiped the spit from
his face, lifted his sword in the air, and drove
it downward at Ziba's head. Zamona remained still and prayed
silently to his god. Gideon took his sword and drove
it slowly into his neck. Blood gushed out and spilled
(28:09):
onto the hilt of Gideon's sword. He watched the life
slowly fade from his eyes until he was no more.
Gideon stood up straight and whirled his neck back. He
sighed and looked to his men.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Oh tired let's go home.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Long live Gideon, they shouted. The people of Israel welcomed
the judge with open arms. They cheered and laughed as
he and his three hundred entered the city gates. Gideon
was proud of what he had accomplished, but slightly hung
over from the drunken rage that had consumed him for weeks.
His head was foggy and loose. He felt as though
(28:50):
he had stepped out in a dream and was becoming
reacquinted with reality. However, it did not take long for
him to step back into delusions of grandeur. They proclaimed
his name as if he were the Lord himself, and
paraded him around all the tribes of Israel. Rule over us,
they shouted, and be our king. Gideon was taken aback
(29:12):
by their request. He quieted them and gave a humble smile.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I will not be your key. I will not rule
over you, and my sons will not rule over you.
For only God is your king.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Gideon knew his answer would make them love him even more.
People love false humility in their leaders. They ate it
up and ironically fed his pride even further. Gideon pondered
for a moment the opportunity before him the king.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
No, no, no, no, I shouldn't be a king. I
shall be more than a king.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
The same evil that had slithered among the hearts of
man since the beginning slowly wrapped around Gideon's heart. I
can be like God, resonated in his mind and squeezed
at the desire of his flesh. Gideon stood before the people.
Speaker 6 (30:09):
I will not be your king, for God alone is
your ruler. However, I do ask one thing of you.
Every Midianite had a gold earring, and.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
You took them for the spoils of war. I request
only that you give me those earrings.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
The people happily gave Gideon what he requested. It seemed
like an odd request. Gideon was now a very rich
man from the raid of the Medianites. What need did
he have for gold earrings. They were placed at Gideon's feet,
along with other precious gems and garments. Gideon then proceeded
to craft an ephod of gold, purple and precious gems.
(30:53):
It glimmered in the sunlight, and all the people were
in awe. It was a hideous misstep by Gideon. Ephods
were for the priests of Israel set apart and holy
the Tabernacle. The center of worship for Israel was at Shiloh,
in the territory of Ephraim. Gideon set up a rival
(31:13):
place of worship to compete against the tribe that troubled
him in the battle against Media. It was a dangerous
and spiteful act, but the people did not care. They
hoard after the Ephod and clamored to visit it continually.
They worshiped near it, made sacrifices to it, and treated
it as though it was God himself. They had forsaken
(31:37):
the idols of the Canaanites all to worship a God
of their own making. It was a Yahweh adjacent, but
not the same. Although Gideon refused to be king, he
named his son Jerebeo, which means my father is king.
It was a clear look into the heart of Gideon.
(31:57):
The ones fearful and timid judge had taken on the
mantle of ruler, priest and commander of God's people. He
reigned for forty years, amassing wealth, concubines in descendants. He
was honored as a redeemer of Israel and proclaimed as
a savior, but he was a compromised hero, his heart
(32:19):
was easily taken captive by the pride of life. The
faithfulness of Israel matched the faithfulness of their hero. They
puffed themselves up with pride, did as they pleased, and
gave into their desires. Israel needed a greater king, a
greater redeemer. They needed a king who would not bow
(32:41):
to the temptation of lordship or power. They needed a
hero who would give his life for the people instead
of taking vengeance. They needed a savior from the real
enemy Sin.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
A haunting, unsettling story, the chosen people, one so dependent
on God for every step, have become something else Entirely
at the heart of this story is a lesson we
as a people have known since the beginning. Power unguarded
can corrupt even the most righteous art Jewish tradition warns
(33:23):
us repeatedly that where there is pride, there is no
room for God. It's an ancient truth, one is old
as Israel's history. The Rabbi say that he who chases
honor will lose it. Proverb sixteen eighteen warns us that
pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
(33:44):
In pride, we build a wall around our hearts, slowly
blacking out the voice of God. The people were so
thankful to Gideon for winning the war against the Midianites,
they asked him to rule over them and to create
a dynasty, with his son and grandson becoming rulers after him. Gideon,
with the characteristic humility we've seen so far, answers them.
(34:07):
In verse twenty three, he says, quote, I will not
rule over you, nor will my son rule over you.
The Lord will rule over you.
Speaker 3 (34:17):
End quote.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Gideon understood the problem of human rulership, with the leader
often becoming arrogant forgetting this power comes from God. Gideon
wanted to be sure that the people, after their miraculous victory,
would continue to understand that God is the ultimate ruler
and not any earthly leader. This, of course, was an
(34:40):
act of outstanding selflessness, rejecting the perks of monarchy in
favor of God's rule. And then we have the evoe
that Gideon makes a sacred garment that becomes an idol.
It's a snare for all of Israel. See, our people
have long struggled with idolatry, that deep human tendency to
(35:03):
elevate things. Leaders and symbols above God. We saw this
first way back in the garden of Eden, then again
at Bavil, and then in the wilderness with the Golden Calf,
and here the Chosen People once again fall into the
same trap you see. Jewish tradition teaches that Gideon's rationale
for creating the Evad was sound. He meant for the
(35:26):
Chosen people to be reminded of the miraculous victory and
to be strengthened in their faith. But this backfired after
Gideon's death, when the people of Israel once again fell
into idle worship and away from God. Gideon's story is
a sobering look at the dark side of power, a
warning about the slow, deadly pull of pride. So what
(35:49):
does it mean for us today? Well, this story is
a warning for anyone who's ever tasted success, andone who's
felt the thrill of achievement, of power, of being seen
as great. Because the truth is pride doesn't just appear
in those with fame or fortune. It seeps into every
heart that has known any sort of success, that has
(36:10):
felt even a hint of strength. The challenge for us, then,
is to ask how do we handle success? We live
in a culture that celebrates self made success and independence,
but the path God wants us to take.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
Is one of humility.
Speaker 4 (36:25):
The Chosen People have always known that every good thing
comes from above, that we are not the source of
our strength, but merely the vessels of it. True power,
my friends, is not about holding on to greatness, but
about staying small in our own eyes and remembering that
God alone deserves the honor. May we all learn from
(36:47):
Gideon's story, and may we remember then God's kingdom. True
strength flies in humility alone with blessings from the Holy Land.
This is ye Alextine.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
You can listen to The Chosen People with Yle Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by
(37:23):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(37:44):
written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller,
and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store
and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People
(38:06):
with Yile Egstein, please rate and leave a review.
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The Lord is beside you, and before you. Gideon's out
of Jewish.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Nobody in the right mind would send me rescue anyone.
If you were the Lord, you'd know that somewhat of
a professional coward may be true. Sword of Gideon is
to be greatly feared. There are rumors that his God
speaks to him. What do you think, he says, they're
(00:28):
afraid of me. No, they're afraid of me. A rise,
A rise, Man of Israel.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
The men awoke and came to him. Gideon was beaming
with encouragement. He was a new man, invigorated for the
battle ahead.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
The Lord has given us. Bideon, be brave, be strong,
for God has already given us victory.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Then, as if the trumpets of the Angels armies were
descending from heaven, all three hundred men blew their trumpets.
The collective sounds shook the earth. Then they threw their
glass jars onto the valley below, and the crashing was terrifying,
and the trumpets were deafening. The Median knites couldn't see
(01:14):
how many men were above them. They guessed it was
hundreds of thousands, judging by their sound. Then all at once.
The men began to shout for the Lord and forget in.
The men cheered and lifted their swords high in the air.
Gideon drew his sword and ran in front. They charged
the camp and overwhelmed the remaining Mediannite.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
The line between a leader and a tyrant is often
drawn in Pride Shello, my friends, from here in the
holy land of Israel, i'my l extein with the international
Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People.
This is where the story shifts, where a man chosen, humbled,
(02:04):
forged in fear, begins to taste the power that he's
been given. It's the story the hero at the height
of victory, at the peak of honor. But as Judges
eight unfolds, we see something change. What happens when a
leader so deeply dependent on God begins to believe in
his own greatness. In this third episode of Gideon's story,
(02:29):
inspired by Judges eight, we find ourselves face to face
with this haunting question. When does strength stop being a
gift and become a weakness instead.
Speaker 1 (02:43):
Gideon stood atop a hill, gazing down at the broken
enemy below, his sword hung at his side, its edge
red with blood. He watched as the Medianiites fled in
every direction, stumbling over each other, like ants scurrying from
a flame. A strange warmth unfurled in his chest. It
(03:05):
was not the warmth of peace or gratitude. It was
something sharper, something far more dangerous.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
For the Lord and for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
His brow lifted as the words echoed in his mind.
His lips curled into a slow, thoughtful smile. And for Gideon,
he tasted it, savored it. The weight of it was
satisfying in his mouth, like honey on the tongue. He
rolled his shoulders back, standing taller than he had before.
(03:39):
His steps grew bolder. His stride was no longer that
of a man afraid to be seen, but of a
man who wanted to be seen. He twirled his sword
in his hand, testing its weight with the ease of
a seasoned warrior.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
For the Lord and for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (03:56):
The soldiers below heard him, and their voices rose to
meet his. For the Lord and for Gideon, the chant
filled him with something more than courage. It was power.
He felt it in his chest, warm and swelling, No
longer the runt of the letter, no longer the weekly
(04:17):
hiding in a wine press, no longer the man desperate
for a sign from God. He was Gideon, the Sword
of Israel, and his enemies fled at the sound of
his name. The next day, Gideon mounted a stolen Medianite cowl,
its hooves clattering against the rocky earth as he rode
(04:39):
at the head of his army. His three hundred men
followed close behind, their torches still flickering from the Knight's attack.
Ahead of them, the vast Medianite force was scattered across
the countryside, running for refuge. But there would be no refuge.
Every tribe of Israel had heard of Gideon's victory. They
(05:01):
knew the name of the man who had driven the
Medianites from their lands. They too had suffered under Medianite rule,
their grains stolen, their livestock plundered, their homes burned. So
when the survivors of median sought refuge in the surrounding cities,
they were met not with mercy but with blades. Every city,
(05:22):
every tribe, every man with a grudge against the invaders,
struck them down. As they fled. Word of Gideon spread
like wildfire. He was no longer just the youngest son
of Joash, no longer the least of the tribe of Manassa.
He was Gideon the conqueror, Gideon the judge, Gideon the
(05:45):
terror of Median. But something shifted in him. The purity
of the victory faded, replaced by something darker. His gaze
grew harder, his hand quicker to violence. The joy of
the deliverance twisted into the satisfaction of dominance. Every strike
of his sword, every scream of a medianiited soldier, every
(06:09):
enemy prince that knelt before him, it all fed something
inside him.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
That he had not known.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Was there the anger of a boy mocked by his brothers,
the rage of a man who had once been powerless
no more. They set up camp that night, Their tents
circled around a larger war tent of the center. Inside.
Gideon stood at a round table, His generals and advisers
(06:39):
gathered around him. Maps and markers were spread across the table,
inked lines tracing paths of pursuit. Gideon dragged his finger
across one of the maps, his eyes sharp with purpose.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
Zebra and Zilumma are all that remain the last two
princes of midian A scouts say they've taken refuge in Kharkar.
They have fifteen thousand men left no more.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
His right hand man, Poorah, folded his arms, tilting his
head with mild doubt.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
It's a long march, Gideon. We'll need more food than water.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
Gideon's fingers stopped on the map, pressing down on a
mark representing the city of Sukkeeth.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
Suketh lies on our path to Kharkor. We'll take what
we need from there.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
They are rumors, They say Suketh and Penuos still have
loyalty to the Medianites.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
If in march there we risk being ambushed. Am I
not Gideon the destroyer of Midianites. Every city in Israel
has risen to my call. Sukkeath will do the same.
We are children of Israel, are we not? They will
(07:50):
aid us.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
The men around him nodded, though Poura's eyes lingered on him.
A moment longer, the flap of the tent burst open,
and two older men stormed in, faces red with fury.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
You glory hawk, you snake, Who do you think you are.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Gideon's hands shot to his sword, his generals doing the same,
steel flashing in the firelight.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
Who are you the barge into my tent? Name yourselves.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
We are the elders of Ephraim. You much toward without us.
You robbed us of the glory of battle.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Their voices rose with every word. Their pride had been wounded,
and now they sought restitution.
Speaker 3 (08:35):
My brothers, have you not shared in the glory? Was
it not your men who captured Arab and Zeb, the
princess of Midian? Did God not give them into your hands?
Speaker 1 (08:50):
The two elders hesitated. They glanced at each other, their
anger softening.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
You accomplished far more than I. Here I am still
chasing seen two Midianite princes, while you have already slain.
To glory is yours? Brothers? You have shown all Israel
what it means to be mighty men of God.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
Their chests swelled with pride, nodding in agreement, their grievances forgotten.
They left the tent with their heads high. Gideon smiled
to himself, shaking his head. Too easy, he thought, the
man who once begged for signs from God had learned
how to control men without divine intervention. Words had become
(09:34):
his new weapon. Poorah watched him from the corner of
the room, his face unreadable. You handled them well, Gideon
said nothing at first, only glanced down at the maps
on the table. His eyes lingered on Kharkour, then shifted
to Suckeeth.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
They forget who I am. I am Gideon, the destroyer
of Minionites. They will learn to remember.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
His voice had changed. It carried an edge, now as
sharp as his sword. It was no longer for the
Lord and for Gideon. Soon it would simply be for Gideon.
The sun bore down mercilessly on the valley, its light
dancing on the surface of the Jordan River. The water
(10:23):
rushed forward with a steady roar, its current unyielding, relentless.
Gideon stood at the river's edge, his eyes locked on
the blue shimmer of water. It was beautiful, yes, but
it was also strong, stronger than it had any right
to be. He glanced back at his men. Their faces
(10:44):
were lined with exhaustion, their clothes stained with sweat and blood.
The march had been long, their rations depleted, and their
bodies worn, thin, shoulders sad under the weight of armor
and weapons. Some men lead on their spears just to
stay upright. Hunger gnawed at them, but Gideon had seen
(11:06):
that look before in his own reflection. The slouched posture,
the downcast eyes, the quiet thoughts of surrender. He hated it,
then he hated.
Speaker 3 (11:18):
It now forward crossed the river.
Speaker 1 (11:21):
The men lifted their backs and waded into the water,
their breath hissing through their teeth as the cold gripped them.
Swords and shields were hoisted overhead as they tread carefully,
legs trembling against the current. Gideon watched them fight the
water with a quiet pride swelling in his chest. One
(11:42):
soldier slept his foot catching on a stone. The current
pulled them under. Another tried to help, but lost his
foot in too. Both were swept away, their panic gasps
swallowed by the roar of the river. Gideon's eyes followed
them until they vanished downstream. He didn't flinch. Gideon, shouldn't
(12:02):
we help them?
Speaker 3 (12:03):
Keep moving?
Speaker 1 (12:05):
His men pressed on their eyes, darting from the water
below to the man ahead of them. Gideon was not
the same man who hid in a wine press. They
reached the city of Sacketh in the later hours of
the afternoon. The jagged stone walls rose high above them,
blocking the sun's harsh glare. There was only one gait,
(12:27):
a narrow passage framed by thick wooden beams. It was
the kind of place that made a man feel watched
the moment he entered. The soldiers kept their weapons close.
The men of Saccoth were Israelites, but they did not
feel like kin. Suspicious eyes watched them from every window.
They had expected the gates to swing open and welcome. Instead,
(12:50):
the people looked at them as if they were no
better than the Medianites they chased. Gideon and Purah approached
the city square, where the elders of Sucketh were heated
at a long wooden table. Their robes were clean, their
bellies full, and their faces sour with suspicion. One of
them spat in Gideon's direction.
Speaker 3 (13:11):
Gideon's shun of joe Ash, Why are you here? My
brother's peace be with you. Our war against the Midianites
is nearly won. Zebu and Zi Luma, the last of
the enemy princes, flee before us. They've taken refuge in Corcore,
and we aim to be there by tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
What does that have to do with us?
Speaker 1 (13:36):
Gideon's smile twitched, but remained.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
My men are exhausted we've marched and fought for days.
I ask only for bread and water. Supply us and
we'll be on our way.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
The elders leaned into one another, whispering. Gideon and Lapourah
exchanged a glance. The elders sat back, smug now as
they had made a decision that pleased them greatly.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
Nah, we won't be helping you.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
Move along now, I'm sorry.
Speaker 5 (14:08):
What you'll receive no help from us, no bread, no water, nothing.
Now run along to your game of Midian eyed hide
and seek.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Would you deny bread to your own kin? You would
leave us to starve while we are on the brink
of victory.
Speaker 2 (14:29):
Victory?
Speaker 3 (14:30):
What victory?
Speaker 5 (14:31):
I don't see the heads of sea buns almona in
your hands. All I see is a man who once
hid from his brothers and stole his food in secrets.
Speaker 2 (14:41):
Do you think we've forgotten You're the rund Gideon, still
are as far as I can see. Come back with
the heads of your.
Speaker 3 (14:49):
Enemies, and perhaps you'll see some bread you.
Speaker 1 (14:53):
Laughter filled the room. Gideon's hand flew to his sword,
and in one motion he drew it high and bolted
down on the table. The woods splintered, but only barely.
It was a poor strike. The elders leaned back, laughing harder.
Now Gideon's failed attempt at threatening them only made things worse.
(15:14):
Gideon struggled to pull his sword from the table.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Woo the little wolves got no bite.
Speaker 1 (15:21):
Poorah reached for his blade, but Gideon raised a hand
to stop him. His eyes burned with quiet fury. Slowly
he sheathed his sword, drawing a long breath through his nose.
Speaker 3 (15:34):
Very well, I'll leave with my men.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
But then he stepped forward, his hands pressing down on
the table, his eyes locking with the elders.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
When the Lord delivers Zebra and the Luma into my hand,
I will return, And when I do, I will fill
your flesh with thorns and briars.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
The elder's face twitched, his grin and faltering for the
first time, his eyes shifted to the ground. Gideon pushed
away from the table, a wicked smile curling at the
edge of his lips sees. He turned and strode out
of the hall, Bourah at his side. What now, men
(16:18):
neat food. If we don't replenish our supplies, we'll never
make it to car Gideon's eyes were forward, his face
set like stone.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
We go to Penuel, perhaps they'll be wiser than their
sister city.
Speaker 1 (16:35):
The Tower of Penuel rose high into the sky, its
shadow cast long over the city below. It was a
symbol of pride, a monument to their strength. Gideon eyed
it with quiet disdain as he passed through the gates.
The council of Penuel was no warmer than Sucketh.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
We ask only for bread. Give my men what they need,
and we will leave.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
The elder of Penuel barely waited for him to finish.
Speaker 3 (17:03):
Get your victory, and you'll get your bread.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
But not before Gideon's eyes flicked to the tower.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
I will come back for my bread, and when I do,
I will tear down that tower stone by stone.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
He didn't wait for their reply. He left the hall
with a fire in his chest and his jaw set
like iron. His hands were trembling, but not from fear.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
I see the loss of what I'm capable of.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
Gideon failed to reflect on why he was being met
with so much disrespect. His victories were not his own,
they were the lords, and the further Gideon strayed from
the Lord's heart, the more resistance he would find. The
stillness of the battlefield was unlike any Gideon had known.
(17:55):
No shouts, no clash of steel, no roar of trumpets.
The city of khar Kor lay before him like a beast,
with its belly exposed. No guards on the eastern side,
no watchmen on the walls. The campfires flickered lazily in
the cool night air. Gideon crouched on a ridge, gazing
(18:16):
down with eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His generals
knelt beside him, waiting for orders.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
No centuries, no lookouts. They think they're safe, furs they
thought I wouldn't come for them.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
He turned to his men, his voice low but full
of iron.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
We attack at night. No torches, no horns, no grand gestures.
We go straight for the heart. We kill the guards,
set the tints ablaze, and drag the princes from the fire.
Once Zebra and Zaluma are ours, the rest will flee
like rats. No mercy, no prisoners.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
The men nodded. It was not the plan of attacked.
It was not the plan of a warrior. It was
the plan of a scavenger. The moon was hidden behind
a blanket of clouds, and the world below was cast
in shadow. Gideon's men moved in the darkness, like whispers
of wind. Bare feet on stone blades, held low breath,
(19:19):
quiet as death itself, Gideon led the charge, every step deliberate.
He crouched behind a tent as two guards walked past.
They spoke softly to one another, their voices too distant
to be understood. Gideon rose behind them, his dagger in hand.
In one swift motion, he grabbed the first guard from behind,
(19:42):
Clamping a hand over his mouth, the dagger slid across
his throat, quick and clean. The guard's body went limp.
The second guard spun, eyes wide with shock, but Gideon
was faster. His blade plunged into the man's stomach, deep
and twist. He felt the warmth of blood on his
(20:02):
hands as he lowered the body to the ground. He
wiped his hands on his tunic, breath, steady, eyes cold.
He dragged the bodies behind the boulder and glanced at
his man, nodding. Once the shadows moved again, tents were ignited.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
One by one.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Small flames licked at the edges of canvas until the
entire camp came to life in a blaze. Smoke billowed upward,
and screams echoed through the valley, the Mediannited soldiers stumbled
out of their tents, coughing and shouting to one another.
Chaos spread like wildfire. They groped for weapons, tripped over
(20:40):
one another, and ran in every direction, but Gideon was
in pursuit. He strode toward the largest tent at the
heart of the camp, where the princes slept. His eyes
gleamed like embers in the night. He grabbed a torch
from the ground, raised it high, and flung it on
to the roof of the tent. Flame spread instantly, devouring
(21:02):
the fabric, turning it to ash.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Come out, little princes, come out, or burn with your gold.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
The canvas erupted in flame, and from within the muffled
shouts of panic. Moments later, two figures stumbled out, choking
on smoke. It was then Ziba and Zalmana, the last
of the Median Nite princes. Gideon broke into a sprint.
Poor close behind Gideon moved like a wolf chasing wounded prey.
(21:35):
Zibal's leg buckled as a dagger thrown by Gideon buried
itself in his calf. He collapsed with a pained shout,
clawing at the dirt Zalmana turned eyes wild, face twisted
with rage. He saw Gideon coming and roared, charging with
a sword in hand. The two of them crashed together,
a tangle of limbs and steel. Gideon's back slimmed against
(21:59):
the ground, his breath driven from his lungs. He gasped,
panic rising in his chest. Zalmonar's hands wrapped around his neck,
crushing his windpipe. Gideon clawed at his wrists, his eyes
bulging with fear.
Speaker 3 (22:13):
Not like this, not like this, No, let me go.
Speaker 1 (22:19):
Zhaumonar grinned at Gideon's cowardice. The world diomed around him.
His vision blurred, his thoughts grew sluggish. His hands searched
the ground beside him, desperate for anything to save him.
His fingers found a stone. He gripped it tight With
the last flicker of his strength. He swung it upward,
but it did nothing. The Prince laughed and pressed further.
(22:43):
Gideon began to cry like a child. Just then Poorah appeared,
leaping onto Zalmanah and slamming him into the dirt. He
twisted the Prince's arms behind him, binding them with rope.
Other men swarmed Zeba, dragging him to the ground and
tying his hands behind his back. Gideon lay on his back,
(23:03):
breathing hard, his chest rising and falling like a bellow's,
His eyes locked onto the two princes, bound and bleeding
in the dirt. Now in the power position again, Gideon's
tone turned back to arrogance for the Lord.
Speaker 3 (23:19):
And for Gideon.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
The path to Sucketh was steep, winding, and shaded by
cypress trees, but there was no peace in the shade.
Gideon's heart was a storm, his mind a whirlpool of
fury and hunger. His hands gripped the reins of his camel.
Bound to the beast. Was Zeba and Zalmanah, limping behind,
(23:46):
like cattle dragged to slaughter. The sun was setting when
Gideon entered Sukeeth. He strode through the gates with his
head high, his generals behind him, his prisoners bound like trophies.
The people stared. He had them all dragged from their homes.
The seventy seven elders brought before him. They knelt, shaking,
(24:09):
eyes downcast.
Speaker 3 (24:10):
Behold Ziba Hans Luma. I have conquered them. Ha ha.
I asked for bread, and you gave me scorn. Now
I give you justice mind the elders of Sukof I
made a promise that I intend to keep.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
They were lashed to posts. Gideon pulled a whip of
thorns from his belt. It beached into their flesh, with
every stripe blood spilling on the stone below. The elders screamed,
but Gideon did not stop.
Speaker 3 (24:46):
How dare you todd me?
Speaker 2 (24:48):
How dare you refuse me?
Speaker 1 (24:51):
His face was twisted wild. His soldiers glanced at one another, uneasy.
This is not Gideon, they thought, but it was. It
had always been cowards, when given power, turn into the
very people they had always feared. Next on his rampage
(25:14):
of vengeance was the city of Penuel. Gideon's hands were
still stained red from the blood of the Sircothian elders.
He walked with intent into the city and shouted.
Speaker 3 (25:26):
Leaders of Penuel, where are you? Come out?
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Slowly the people of Penuel emerged from their homes and businesses.
Gideon's eyes were dark with bloodthirst and indignant rage.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
I have come here to fulfill a promise. Bring in
the oxen.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
He turned to the tower in the middle of the
city and shouted to his men. They brought in a
dozen oxen and yoked them to the tower. They had
the oxen pull at the pillars holding up the base
of the tower, and slowly it began to crag. The
citizens of Penuel cried out in horror as the great
tower crumbled to the ground. The crash shook the earth,
(26:09):
and many men in the city ran and attacked Gideon.
He dropped his sword and killed a young man.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
He tried to stop it.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
More came out, and Gideon killed them with the edge
of his blade.
Speaker 4 (26:20):
He and the.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Rest of his men battled against the men of Penuel,
and one by one they fell. Gideon was a man
possessed by anger. On the outside, it looked like righteousness,
but God knew what dwelled within his heart. God knew
that he was still a frightened child, lashing out because
he felt small. God could see the wickedness of the
(26:44):
compromised judge. Hundreds of Penuellian men lay dead on the floor.
Gideon stood over them like a lion over his kill.
The media knited princes were still bound in the corner watching.
They scoffed at Gideon's unhinged rage.
Speaker 3 (27:00):
The sword of Gideon, his great liber reveared.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Gideon looked over and marched towards them.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
You are right here now the I'm done here. It's
time to deal with you. Whatever you have come you hit,
sneaky lucky man.
Speaker 1 (27:19):
Gideon took his sword out of the man's shoulder and
pointed to one of his sons, Jetha, my boy, come in.
Gideon placed a sword in Jutha's hand and gestured to
the prince's The boy was frozen in place. He did
not want any hand in his father's outrage.
Speaker 3 (27:37):
Kill them, kill us yourself. If you are a man
of spray, he wouldn't kill this already.
Speaker 2 (27:45):
Take your sword and in this tower.
Speaker 1 (27:48):
He spat again towards Gideon. Gideon wiped the spit from
his face, lifted his sword in the air, and drove
it downward at Ziba's head. Zamona remained still and prayed
silently to his god. Gideon took his sword and drove
it slowly into his neck. Blood gushed out and spilled
(28:09):
onto the hilt of Gideon's sword. He watched the life
slowly fade from his eyes until he was no more.
Gideon stood up straight and whirled his neck back. He
sighed and looked to his men.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Oh tired let's go home.
Speaker 1 (28:27):
Long live Gideon, they shouted. The people of Israel welcomed
the judge with open arms. They cheered and laughed as
he and his three hundred entered the city gates. Gideon
was proud of what he had accomplished, but slightly hung
over from the drunken rage that had consumed him for weeks.
His head was foggy and loose. He felt as though
(28:50):
he had stepped out in a dream and was becoming
reacquinted with reality. However, it did not take long for
him to step back into delusions of grandeur. They proclaimed
his name as if he were the Lord himself, and
paraded him around all the tribes of Israel. Rule over us,
they shouted, and be our king. Gideon was taken aback
(29:12):
by their request. He quieted them and gave a humble smile.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
I will not be your key. I will not rule
over you, and my sons will not rule over you.
For only God is your king.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
Gideon knew his answer would make them love him even more.
People love false humility in their leaders. They ate it
up and ironically fed his pride even further. Gideon pondered
for a moment the opportunity before him the king.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
No, no, no, no, I shouldn't be a king. I
shall be more than a king.
Speaker 1 (29:51):
The same evil that had slithered among the hearts of
man since the beginning slowly wrapped around Gideon's heart. I
can be like God, resonated in his mind and squeezed
at the desire of his flesh. Gideon stood before the people.
Speaker 6 (30:09):
I will not be your king, for God alone is
your ruler. However, I do ask one thing of you.
Every Midianite had a gold earring, and.
Speaker 3 (30:21):
You took them for the spoils of war. I request
only that you give me those earrings.
Speaker 1 (30:29):
The people happily gave Gideon what he requested. It seemed
like an odd request. Gideon was now a very rich
man from the raid of the Medianites. What need did
he have for gold earrings. They were placed at Gideon's feet,
along with other precious gems and garments. Gideon then proceeded
to craft an ephod of gold, purple and precious gems.
(30:53):
It glimmered in the sunlight, and all the people were
in awe. It was a hideous misstep by Gideon. Ephods
were for the priests of Israel set apart and holy
the Tabernacle. The center of worship for Israel was at Shiloh,
in the territory of Ephraim. Gideon set up a rival
(31:13):
place of worship to compete against the tribe that troubled
him in the battle against Media. It was a dangerous
and spiteful act, but the people did not care. They
hoard after the Ephod and clamored to visit it continually.
They worshiped near it, made sacrifices to it, and treated
it as though it was God himself. They had forsaken
(31:37):
the idols of the Canaanites all to worship a God
of their own making. It was a Yahweh adjacent, but
not the same. Although Gideon refused to be king, he
named his son Jerebeo, which means my father is king.
It was a clear look into the heart of Gideon.
(31:57):
The ones fearful and timid judge had taken on the
mantle of ruler, priest and commander of God's people. He
reigned for forty years, amassing wealth, concubines in descendants. He
was honored as a redeemer of Israel and proclaimed as
a savior, but he was a compromised hero, his heart
(32:19):
was easily taken captive by the pride of life. The
faithfulness of Israel matched the faithfulness of their hero. They
puffed themselves up with pride, did as they pleased, and
gave into their desires. Israel needed a greater king, a
greater redeemer. They needed a king who would not bow
(32:41):
to the temptation of lordship or power. They needed a
hero who would give his life for the people instead
of taking vengeance. They needed a savior from the real
enemy Sin.
Speaker 4 (33:00):
A haunting, unsettling story, the chosen people, one so dependent
on God for every step, have become something else Entirely
at the heart of this story is a lesson we
as a people have known since the beginning. Power unguarded
can corrupt even the most righteous art Jewish tradition warns
(33:23):
us repeatedly that where there is pride, there is no
room for God. It's an ancient truth, one is old
as Israel's history. The Rabbi say that he who chases
honor will lose it. Proverb sixteen eighteen warns us that
pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
(33:44):
In pride, we build a wall around our hearts, slowly
blacking out the voice of God. The people were so
thankful to Gideon for winning the war against the Midianites,
they asked him to rule over them and to create
a dynasty, with his son and grandson becoming rulers after him. Gideon,
with the characteristic humility we've seen so far, answers them.
(34:07):
In verse twenty three, he says, quote, I will not
rule over you, nor will my son rule over you.
The Lord will rule over you.
Speaker 3 (34:17):
End quote.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
Gideon understood the problem of human rulership, with the leader
often becoming arrogant forgetting this power comes from God. Gideon
wanted to be sure that the people, after their miraculous victory,
would continue to understand that God is the ultimate ruler
and not any earthly leader. This, of course, was an
(34:40):
act of outstanding selflessness, rejecting the perks of monarchy in
favor of God's rule. And then we have the evoe
that Gideon makes a sacred garment that becomes an idol.
It's a snare for all of Israel. See, our people
have long struggled with idolatry, that deep human tendency to
(35:03):
elevate things. Leaders and symbols above God. We saw this
first way back in the garden of Eden, then again
at Bavil, and then in the wilderness with the Golden Calf,
and here the Chosen People once again fall into the
same trap you see. Jewish tradition teaches that Gideon's rationale
for creating the Evad was sound. He meant for the
(35:26):
Chosen people to be reminded of the miraculous victory and
to be strengthened in their faith. But this backfired after
Gideon's death, when the people of Israel once again fell
into idle worship and away from God. Gideon's story is
a sobering look at the dark side of power, a
warning about the slow, deadly pull of pride. So what
(35:49):
does it mean for us today? Well, this story is
a warning for anyone who's ever tasted success, andone who's
felt the thrill of achievement, of power, of being seen
as great. Because the truth is pride doesn't just appear
in those with fame or fortune. It seeps into every
heart that has known any sort of success, that has
(36:10):
felt even a hint of strength. The challenge for us, then,
is to ask how do we handle success? We live
in a culture that celebrates self made success and independence,
but the path God wants us to take.
Speaker 3 (36:24):
Is one of humility.
Speaker 4 (36:25):
The Chosen People have always known that every good thing
comes from above, that we are not the source of
our strength, but merely the vessels of it. True power,
my friends, is not about holding on to greatness, but
about staying small in our own eyes and remembering that
God alone deserves the honor. May we all learn from
(36:47):
Gideon's story, and may we remember then God's kingdom. True
strength flies in humility alone with blessings from the Holy Land.
This is ye Alextine.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
You can listen to The Chosen People with Yle Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot
Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, edited by
(37:23):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(37:44):
written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller,
and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store
and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People
(38:06):
with Yile Egstein, please rate and leave a review.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Therapy Gecko
An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.