Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Thou shalt not covet

Now came the 'ticker tape parade', the welcome party they'd been expecting.

As they entered Ophrah, the very same voices that had been shouting for Gideons death were now exalting him. (hmmm... sounds like the opposite version of another biblical story!)

But what would become of the princes of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna were personally responsible for the death of 2 of Gideons brothers at mount Tabor.

For Gideon, the answer was simple, they must suffer the most humiliating form of execution . . .

No, not death by girls allowed!

Death at the hands of a boy.

This task was probably given to Jether (Gideon's eledest son) who took the sword in trembling hands and faced these two infamous enemies. Whether through fear or weakness, Jether couldn't carry out his task. So it was left to Gideon to serve the death blow, which he did without hesitation.

Then something glistening caught his eye. The camels were wearing Saharonim (a kind of garment made of gold and silver ornaments and emblems), idols and images of pagan gods.

Gideon took these 'trinkets' for himself ("he covets the precious things" to quote Tubbs from the league of gentlemen). Maybe it was the fact that he was born into a wealthy family made him crave for more? or he had watched these Midianite prisoners with their fancy clothes and jewellery whilst he took the long trek back to Ophrah. Either way, we catch a glimpse of the old 'baal/assherah worshipping' Gideon.

Love you X

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