“And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house.”
Judges 8:27 KJV
Gideon used all this plunder to make a sacred golden ephod. He put it on display in his hometown Ophrah, and all Israel strayed from Yahweh and gave their hearts to the golden ephod. It was a seducing snare for Gideon and his family. The ephod was a decorated priestly vestment, a full length apron worn by the priest which discerned God’s will. Ephods are mentioned in other parts of the Bible as objects of idolatrous worship. Gideon’s ephod became an idol to the people as they came to seek oracles before it at Ophrah, while the ark of glory stood at Shiloh at this time, where Yahweh had chosen for people to worship. Gideon refused kingship because he wanted priesthood. His ephod turned Israel’s heart away from the true worship of Yahweh. Gideon’s and indeed all of our good intentions are never a substitute for obedience. Jesus is our High Priest today and anyone or anything that takes His place in our heart is an idol and a snare. Let Christ have preeminence in our heart and let obedience to Him be our motive and not good intentions! Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Amen!
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