WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS!

1. Where Is Your Focus!

a) In the story of Gideon (Judges 6-8), near the end it talks about Gideon building an ephod out of the gold earrings from the spoils of the battle against the Midianites. 

b) What is an ephod, and why did gideon build one?

@1. In early books of the Bible, the ephod was a special piece of clothing that was made for Aaron the High priest to wear when he served the Lord.

Exodus 28:5-7 

They shall receive gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. "And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and of fine twined linen, skillfully worked. It shall have two shoulder pieces attached to its two edges, so that it may be joined together.

@2. An ephod was not primarily a garment in the ordinary sense, and its association with the sacred lots indicates that it was used for divination. It was worn by persons other than the high priest. Samuel wore the ephod when he served before the tabernacle at Shiloh.

@3. The ephod in Judges was not a clothing but rather an idol. Idol worship is a very prominent in the Old Testament. It was a problem the Israelites continually faced.

Judges 8:24

Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.

@4. This is extremely familiar scene. Think back to exodus as Moses goes up the mountain to get the 10 commandments. The people think he has been gone to long, and they ask Aaron the priest to make them an idol! A golden calf!

@5. So the significance of the ephod in Judges, is that once again, God's people do not trust in him or give him glory for the things he has done for them, but they go astray and break his commandments by making for themselves idols and worshipping them.

Judges 8:27 

And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.

@6. In the beginning, Gideon did very well but failed in the end when the people began to worship the ephod. 

@7 As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. And the people of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side, and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel. (Judges 8:33-35)

@8. The object made by Gideon is plainly described as having been worshipped, and therefore the idol of some deity (possibly of Yahweh).

c) God may use any means to display his majestic glory in signs and wonders and miracles. It may happen likewise an apron in Paul's time or the shadow (like Peter) or even taking Holy Communion. But that's only just a means!

d) No wonder Jesus made a comment when the 72 returned with victory over demons.

Luke 10:17, 20 

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"

Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

e) Always make sure there isn't any hindrance in your relationship with your Maker!