What lessons on loyalty can we learn from Judges 8:35? Scripture Focus “ They did not show kindness to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) for all the good he had done for Israel.” —Judges 8:35 Background Snapshot • Gideon, also called Jerubbaal, rescued Israel from Midian’s oppression (Judges 6–8). • After his death, the nation quickly forgot both the Lord’s deliverance and Gideon’s service. • The Hebrew term behind “kindness” is chesed — covenant loyalty, faithful love expressed in concrete action. Observation: The Missing Loyalty • The people neglected gratitude toward Gideon’s family. • Their disloyalty revealed deeper forgetfulness of God (v. 34). • When covenant loyalty is absent, relationships and worship unravel together. Lesson 1: Loyalty Begins by Remembering God’s Grace • Forgetfulness of past deliverance erodes present faithfulness (Deuteronomy 6:12). • “Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.” —1 Samuel 12:24 Lesson 2: Loyalty Must Be Tangible and Ongoing • Kindness is more than sentiment; it takes practical form. • “Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.” —Proverbs 3:27 • Support, provision, and protection were owed to Gideon’s household; withholding them broke covenant expectations. Lesson 3: Disloyalty Breeds Spiritual Decline • Judges 2:10: “Another generation rose up who knew neither the LORD nor the works He had done for Israel.” • Once loyalty toward God and His servants fades, idolatry and chaos quickly follow (Judges 8:33). • Disloyalty is never neutral; it invites moral and societal decay. Lesson 4: God Models Perfect Loyalty • “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” —2 Timothy 2:13 • God’s unwavering faithfulness sets the standard and supplies the power for our loyalty to Him and to one another. Lesson 5: Loyalty Extends to the Household of Faith • Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” • Gideon’s family illustrates today’s pastors, mentors, missionaries, and fellow believers who deserve sustained care. Living It Out • Keep a record of God’s past deliverances; rehearse them regularly. • Honor those who have served faithfully—notes of thanks, ongoing support, advocacy. • Guard against subtle forgetfulness by nurturing daily gratitude. • Teach the next generation specific stories of God’s faithfulness and His servants’ sacrifices. • Show covenant loyalty in practical ways: meals, financial help, encouragement, defending reputations. |
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