Judges 8:22-28 One King, One Priest, One Lord

Judges 8:22-28 One King, One Priest, One Lord

Introduction

Imagine you woke up tomorrow, and no one in the world remembered who the Beatles were — except you. You sit down with a guitar, start playing their songs, and suddenly you’re the most famous artist on the planet. The world praises your genius, crowds chant your name, and you... take the credit.

That's the premise of the movie Yesterday — and the subtle but powerful warning of Judges 8:22–28. When the victory is fresh and the enemy is gone, the people look for someone to praise. In this case, they give it all to Gideon. But he didn’t write the song. He didn’t win the battle. And what happens next is a warning for all of us: be careful who you crown, and don’t forget who truly saved you.

1. Call and Rejection of Kingship (Judges 8:22–23)

After Gideon’s victory, the people plead, “Rule over us” (Judges 8:22). They want a dynasty: Gideon, then his son, then his grandson. But the crown they offer is not theirs to give.

It’s revealing — not just of Israel, but of human nature. We crave visible leadership. We want someone we can see, praise, and follow. But Israel's biggest stumbling block is repeated here again: they forgot who truly saved them. “You have saved us,” they tell Gideon (Judges 8:22), forgetting it was the Lord who thinned the army, threw the enemy into panic, and gave the victory (Judges 7:2–7, 22).

This mirrors earlier failures. In Exodus, when Moses lingered on the mountain, the people fashioned a golden calf and cried, “These are your gods who brought you out of Egypt” (Exodus 32:4). Stephen later rebuked this same attitude in Acts: “You rejoiced in the works of your hands” (Acts 7:41), showing how easy it is to praise the tool and forget the One who wields it.

To his credit, Gideon rejects the kingship and rightly proclaims, “The LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). This is a noble statement. There is only one true King, the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone has all authority (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:8, 17–18). Any human praise, no matter how well-earned, should never eclipse the glory of Christ (John 5:22–23).

2. The Stumbling Block of Israel (Judges 8:24–27)

What happens next is baffling. Gideon refuses to be king, but then immediately collects the spoils of war and makes a golden ephod — a garment worn by the high priest (Exodus 28:4). He places it in his hometown, and Israel “whored after it there” (Judges 8:27).

Why an ephod? Why a priestly image? We don’t know exactly, but Gideon’s actions functionally made him a religious leader — a role God never gave him. The priesthood belonged to the Levites (Numbers 1:50), and ultimately pointed to the greater High Priest to come, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:26–28). Gideon, perhaps unintentionally, hijacks a sacred office and leads Israel into idolatry.

This is not just bad leadership. It’s a spiritual power grab. Gideon seems to have forgotten how the Lord patiently developed him — from a fearful nobody to a vessel of deliverance (Judges 6:11–16). And now, post-victory, he sets up something in his own name that ensnares his family and the entire nation (Judges 8:27).

3. The Mercy of God (Judges 8:28)

Despite all this — the idolatry, the misattribution, the confusion — verse 28 is a breathtaking testimony to God’s mercy. “Midian was subdued... and the land had rest forty years” (Judges 8:28).

God gave peace even when He didn’t receive proper worship. He showed mercy even though His name wasn’t honored. This is grace — not earned, but freely given (Romans 5:8).

Reflection

  • Do you wrongly attribute your successes to yourself? When God blesses you with victory — in career, family, ministry — do you pause to worship Him, or do you take a quiet bow?
  • Have you ever asked God for help and then taken credit for the outcome? Do you downplay His involvement when retelling the story?
  • Have you crowned someone else with glory that only belongs to God? Maybe a pastor, mentor, political figure, or even yourself?
  • Are there “ephods” in your life — good things turned into idols — that draw your heart away from Christ? Be honest. Repent. Return to the true High Priest and King.

Conclusion

There is only one King — Jesus Christ. He is the only Savior, the only righteous Redeemer, and the only one worthy of our praise. Don’t make the mistake of praising the tool and ignoring the hand that holds it. Worship the Lord, not the leader. Trust the Redeemer, not the redeemed.

Scripture References

  • Judges 8:22–28 – Israel asks Gideon to rule; he refuses kingship but makes a golden ephod.
  • Exodus 32:1–6 – The golden calf incident: Israel attributes salvation to their own hands.
  • Acts 7:39–53 – Stephen recounts Israel’s repeated rejection of God’s work.
  • Exodus 28:4 – Priestly garments, including the ephod.
  • Numbers 1:47–50 – The Levites alone are called to serve in the tabernacle.
  • Hebrews 7:26–28 – Jesus is the perfect and eternal High Priest.
  • Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:8; John 5:22–23 – Christ’s divine authority and kingship.
  • Romans 5:8 – God shows His love by saving us while we were still sinners.

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