Though all men are doing what is right in their own eyes, God is still keeping account and judging the wicked.
Gideon wins the war against the Midianites, righteously refuses to be king and judges Israel for forty years. Yet in making the ephod, he sets Israel up for their next plunge into idolatry and rebellion.
This chapter deals with the dangerous consequences of pride and the need for humility concerning self and praise and admiration toward the greatness of God. Nebuchadnezzar tells the story as a personal testimony. He tells how the most powerful man in the world (himself) was brought low in a moment by God, and how he was restored to his former position—though as a wiser man than before.
The Israelites were determined to have a king like all the nations and God had granted their request.
Did Jephthah sacrifice his daughter? In what ways are things getting worse for Israel? Why?
