An Inheritance

As a mother of two boys, I want to leave for them an inheritance. I want them to have things that I did not have. I want them to live a better life as a productive member of society than myself or their father. I desire for them to have a godly inheritance. I pray both of them choose to serve the one and only true living God wholeheartedly.

I’ve always admired the story and teachings on Gideon. How God called him a “mighty warrior” yet he was scared to death of what God called him to do. (Judges 6:12) Then by the strength Gideon had and with the Lord with him, the Midianites were defeated. Gideon goes down in history as Israel’s fifth judge. The land experienced peace for 40 years after that. Gideon is listed in the Hall of Faith chapter of Hebrews 11. I wrote a devotional about “What Do You See?” based on this part of Gideon’s life. (Click on the title to read it.)

This past week as I read through Judges I realized I didn’t know the rest of the story. God’s word is written that we may learn from it. (2 Tim. 3:16) After the victory, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them. He declined and told them “The Lord will rule over you.” (Judges 8:23) But then he made a request that each one share the plunder with him. From all the gold Gideon received, he made an ephod which he placed in his town. Unfortunately at this point, all of Israel started worship the ephod instead of the Lord. (Judges 8:25-27)

Gideon got back to the business of living his life. He had many wives and 70 sons plus a son of a concubine. Then Gideon died. After Gideon died, Israel returned to Baal worship and forgot the Lord their God. (Judges 8:29-32) Gideon’s son, Abimelech, born from his concubine decided he wanted to rule over the people, which was the position of God. In his quest to be ruler, he raised support in his mother’s home town, Shechem. After being funded by temple of Baal-Berith, he killed 69 of his 70 brothers. Only the youngest, Jotham, of the 70 escaped and spoke a curse over Abimelech. (Judges 9:1-20)

Abimelech ruled for three years and Jotham fled to Beer. The people of Shechem turned against Abimelech. God did this to avenge the blood of those slain. In this battle Abimelech went to capture a tower. The men and women took refuge in it. As he stormed it to set it on fire, a woman dropped a millstone on his head and cracked his skull. Not wanting to go down in history as being killed by a woman, Abimelech asked his armor-bearer to kill him. In my opinion, he was killed by a woman. (Judges 9:22-57)

The lesson I learn from knowing the rest of Gideon’s story is teach my children to follow the ways of the Lord. Gideon failed to do so. He allowed them to worship the ephod he made from the gold. Sin crept back into their lives and multiplied. The son of his concubine brought great grief to the family and the nation. Gideon failed to pass on the godly inheritance as all his children and the nation returned to idol worship.

Proverbs 13:22 AMP

A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner [finds its way eventually] into the hands of the righteous, for whom it was laid up.

As parents, the Bible says we’re to leave an inheritance of goodness to our children and even on to their children. I desire and pray this will be ingrained in my boys lives so they may receive the inheritance promised in Jesus Christ that can never be taken away.

1 Peter 1:3-5 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Oh Lord, I give You praise for this day. I thank You for Your Word that teaches us Your truths. Lord may we learn from the examples You have given us in Your word. Lord, as a mother, I ask You to help us teach our children Your ways. That we will leave them with an inheritance to pass on to their children. Lord, the inheritance that comes through the resurrection of Jesus Christ that will never perish, spoil or fade away. That through faith is shielded by Your power.

Blessings in Christ--

Note: This post comes from what I learned through the yearly chronological Bible reading with Bev. Please visit her site for more info.