There are at least five major lessons we learn from the story of Gideon in Judges 6-8. Here’s the second one:
God will let you learn the hard way.
As a result of resisting God’s leadership the Israelites lived in fear and frustration, there was a curse on everything they put their hand to, and everything they worked so hard for God washed away through the hand of the Midianites year after year. Because of their rebellion God was actively working against them instead of for them. You see, God had a deal with the Israelites (the Bible calls is a covenant): They were to voluntarily submit to God as Owner and God was to then take upon Himself the responsibilities of ownership – to protect them, provide for them, care for them and guide them. Since they willfully neglected their responsibility to recognize God as owner, God willfully neglected His responsibility to care for them. God did this with the Israelites and don’t think for a moment He won’t do the same with us! We read in Romans chapter 1 of a people in rebellion against God – of a people that refused to acknowledge God as Leader of their lives. We read in Romans 1:28, “God gave them over to a depraved mind…” We read in Romans 1:27 how these people then “…received in themselves the due penalty for their error.” God said: You don’t want to do it My way. That’s fine. That’s your choice. But you will now taste the bitter fruit of rebellion against Me. This is what God will do to each one of us. He would prefer us not to learn the hard way, but if we’re stubborn He won’t spare us from the destructive consequences of rebellion. He does this so we’ll see the foolishness of our ways and turn to Him, recognizing Him as Adonai – our Ruler and Owner.