Why Some Great Men Fall. Part [12] 09/22/2025 (Morning thought)

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!

Why Some Great Men Fall. Part [11] 09/22/2025 (Evening thought)

Ecclesiastes 2:1 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

This has caused some to question God’s goodness in blessing him with so much wealth. Indeed, it is a very sad commentary on our sinful nature, that God has to think twice as it were, before blessing us. The same was true of King Saul, who at first seemed to be so humble, and willing to be led by God. But when he ascended the throne, he also became puffed up later on, so that the God of heaven could not even speak to him anymore.

1st Samuel 15: 10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. 17 And Samuel said, when you were little in thine own sight, was thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?

Therefore, our case study will involve Gideon, whom God chose as the instrument to deliver His people from the Midianites. Like David, like Saul and like Solomon, Gideon started off his mission, pretty humble, with a small view of himself, and being ever so careful to consult with God before making any move. The following passages show how little Gideon thought of himself, and how the angel of God had to encourage and goad him into the heroic act that would place him in the hall of fame with other Bible heroes.

Judges 6: 11 And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!