Some of the Israelites who pursued Midian after Gideon’s initial attack was the tribe of Ephraim. They were the ones who captured Oreb and Zeeb. They scolded Gideon for not including them in the initial attack. Gideon offered his humility and praised Ephraim as being greater than Gideon’s family. They relented in their scolding, and Gideon continued to follow the Midianites in pursuit. As his 300 men followed, they grew tired and hungry and asked the leaders of Succoth and Penuel for bread to eat. Each town denied their request and ridiculed them. Gideon promised to return and whip Succoth with thorns and tear down Penuel’s tower. Gideon caught the Midianites Kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, and routed their whole army. On the way back, he “taught” or disciplined the men of Succoth with thorns and briers, and tore down the tower of Penuel. He proceeded to ask Zebah and Zalmunna what kind of men they killed in Tabor. They answered that the men resembled Gideon, like the sons of a king. Gideon revealed that they were his brothers, and ordered his son, Jether, to kill the Kings. Because of his youth, he was afraid to do so, so they taunted Gideon, and he killed them and took the crescent ornaments from their camel’s necks.
It is possible that these Kings were ancestors of future nations that would eventually found the religion of Islam(hence the crescent ornaments). It is true that the Ishmaelites and other nations from Abraham’s lineage did form Islam later in history. As stated in a previous blog, the disobedience and independent action of Abraham and Sarah to bear an heir cost their descendants later on and are still costing the Israelites in their ongoing conflict with Islam.
The truth to be learned here, though, is that when God calls someone, no matter the personal or individual doubts you may have, it is dangerous to get on the other side of a called individual. If God has commissioned someone to do His will, you can recognize that by their success and by the witness of the Spirit. When you do, embrace that person or persons, ally with them, and you will be blessing the work of God.
Devoted To You 