Judges 6:14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? 15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
That was then, but later on, after God gave Gideon one of the most stunning victories over the Midianites, Gideon began to take unwarranted liberties to himself. And since praise of the human agent often tends to destabilize the man, Gideon began to falter. He would not seek God’s face as previously when he had a diminutive opinion of himself, he would not ask God for any more signs and wonders, so that his steps might be guided with wisdom and discretion.
And he goes even further by starting his own church with a form of worship God had never ordained or intended. That’s the main reason why great men fall, for they often begin their mission in a humble frame of mind, but after God exalts them to positions of prominence, they tend to go out on a limb, and they often do, and say things God never commanded.
Thus, we who live in the 21st century would do well to learn from the errors of those who have gone before, because The Lord is again going to do great things for and through His chosen instruments, but He desires that they begin humble, and end with humility. Won’t that be a cute thing!
Judges 8:22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son's son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!