Judges 8:29
and he--Jerubbaal son of Joash--returned home and settled down.
and he—Jerubbaal son of Joash—

Jerubbaal was Gideon’s name after he tore down his father’s altar to Baal and erected an altar to the LORD in its place (Judges 6:25–32). His name, “Let Baal contend,” stood as a continuing witness that Baal was powerless before the God of Israel. Gideon came from the tribe of Manasseh and from a family he considered insignificant, yet the LORD used him to defeat Midian and deliver Israel.

Jdg 6:32 So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, …
Jdg 6:11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down…
1Sa 12:11 So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel…

returned home

After pursuing the Midianite kings and restoring Israel’s security, Gideon returned to his hometown of Ophrah. He did not seize the throne when Israel asked him to rule, acknowledging that the LORD alone was Israel’s true King (Judges 8:22–23). His return marked the end of his public work as deliverer.

Gen 31:55 Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed…
Act 21:6 And after we had said our farewells, we went aboard the ship…
Luk 8:39 Return home and describe how much God has done…

and settled down.

The land enjoyed peace for forty years under Gideon’s lifetime (Judges 8:28). Israel’s rest depended upon the LORD’s mercy rather than Gideon’s strength, and it did not endure after his death. The temporary peace of the judges pointed to the need for a righteous and lasting King, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, whose kingdom will never end.

2Ki 19:36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew.…
2Sa 7:1 After the king had settled into his palace,…
1Ki 5:4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jerubbaal (Gideon)
Also known as Gideon, he was a judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory against the Midianites. His name, Jerubbaal, means "Let Baal contend," reflecting his challenge to the worship of Baal.

2. Joash
Gideon's father, who initially supported the worship of Baal but later defended Gideon's actions against the idol.

3. Gideon's House
This refers to Gideon's return to his home after his military campaigns and leadership role, signifying a period of rest and normalcy.
Teaching Points
Rest After Obedience
Gideon's return to his house symbolizes a time of rest after fulfilling God's calling. Believers can find peace and rest after faithfully serving God's purposes.

Legacy of Faith
Gideon's life reminds us that our actions and faith can leave a lasting impact. We should strive to live in a way that honors God and influences others positively.

The Importance of Home
Returning to his house signifies the importance of family and home life. Our primary ministry often begins at home, where we can model faith and integrity.

Challenges of Success
After great victories, there can be a temptation to become complacent. We must remain vigilant in our faith and continue to seek God's guidance.

God's Faithfulness
Gideon's account is a testament to God's faithfulness in using imperfect people to accomplish His will. We can trust God to work through us despite our weaknesses.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Gideon's return to his house after his victories reflect the balance between public ministry and personal life?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our home is a place of faith and integrity, as Gideon's might have been after his return?

3. How can Gideon's account encourage us to trust God in seemingly impossible situations?

4. What are some potential challenges we might face after experiencing success, and how can we guard against them?

5. How does Gideon's legacy of faith inspire us to leave a positive impact on future generations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 6:25-32
This passage describes Gideon's initial act of tearing down his father's altar to Baal, which earned him the name Jerubbaal. It highlights his role as a reformer against idolatry.

Judges 7:1-25
Details Gideon's victory over the Midianites with a small army, emphasizing God's power and Gideon's faith.

Hebrews 11:32-34
Gideon is mentioned in the "Faith Hall of Fame," recognizing his faith and the victories God achieved through him.
Gideon At His BestWm. Burrows, B. A.Judges 8:22-35
Gideon, the DelivererT. Guthrie, D. D.Judges 8:22-35
Gideon's After-LifeW. Miller, M. A.Judges 8:22-35
Gideon's Unambitious SpiritA. R. Fausset, M. A.Judges 8:22-35
Kingship Offered and RefusedR. A. Watson, M. A.Judges 8:22-35
The After LifeA.F. Muir Judges 8:29-32
Gideon At His WorstWm. Burrows, B. A.Judges 8:29-35
The Origin, Nature, and Baseness of IngratitudeR. South, D.D.Judges 8:29-35
People
Abiezer, Abiezrites, Abimelech, Gideon, Ishmaelites, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Jether, Joash, Midianites, Nobah, Ophrah, Oreb, Penuel, Zalmunna, Zebah, Zeeb
Places
0, Abiezer, Heres, Jogbehah, Jordan River, Karkor, Midian, Nobah, Ophrah, Penuel, Shechem, Succoth, Tabor
Topics
Dwelleth, Dwelt, Home, Jerubbaal, Jerubba'al, Joash, Jo'ash
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Judges 8:28

     1654   numbers, 11-99
     5157   head
     5846   enjoyment
     8328   quietness

Library
September 21. "Faint, yet Pursuing" (Judges viii. 4).
"Faint, yet pursuing" (Judges viii. 4). It is a great thing thus to learn to depend upon God to work through our feeble resources, and yet, while so depending, to be absolutely faithful and diligent, and not allow our trust to deteriorate into supineness and indolence. We find no sloth or negligence in Gideon, or his three hundred; though they were weak and few, they were wholly true, and everything in them ready for God to use to the very last. "Faint yet pursuing" was their watchword as they followed
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Christian Faith
Scripture references: Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:29; 17:20; Mark 10:52; 11:22; Acts 2:38; 3:16; 10:43; 16:30,31; Romans 1:17; 5:1; 10:17; Galatians 2:20. FAITH AND PRACTICE Belief Controls Action.--"As the man is, so is his strength" (Judges 8:21), "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). "According to your faith be it unto you" (Matthew 9:28,29). "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Scriptures place stress upon the fact that
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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