Today's reading covers Judges 8 and Proverbs 14:29–32. Our reflection follows Gideon's pursuit and defeat of the Midianite kings, his harsh dealings with Succoth and Penuel for refusing to aid Israel's army, and the unsettling aftermath of victory. Then, Gideon fashions an ephod from the plunder that becomes a snare, leading "all Israel" into idolatry even in the wake of God's deliverance.

In Proverbs 14:29–32, we consider the understanding of those who are slow to anger and contrast it with the folly of the hot-tempered. Then we reflect on the destructive rot that envy brings to the body, in light of the calm heart that gives it life. Then we see the insult to God found in oppressing the poor, and the refuge the righteous find even in death. Ultimately, we gaze forward through Christ's victory over death and the righteousness applied to those who trust him.

For more information about Compass Bible Church South Valley, visit compassbiblesv.org. Keep reading. Keep growing. God’s Word is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path.

Today's reading covers Judges 7 and Proverbs 14:25–28. The reflection follows Gideon's army being whittled down from 32,000 to just 300 men before facing the Midianites, with God explaining the reduction plainly: "lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'" Our discussion centers on how God engineers the victory to belong unmistakably to the Lord rather than to human strength or numbers. This is another link in the chain of God's persistent faithfulness despite Israel's repeated unfaithfulness.

In Proverbs 14:25–28, our discussion covers the truthful witness who saves lives against the deceit of one who breathes out lies, the strong confidence and refuge found in the fear of the Lord, the fear of the Lord as a fountain of life that turns a person from the snares of death, and the reminder that a king's glory is found in the multitude of his people, while a ruler without people is ruined.

For more information about Compass Bible Church South Valley, visit compassbiblesv.org. Keep reading. Keep growing. God’s Word is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path.

Today's reading covers Judges 6 and Proverbs 14:21–24. The reflection follows Israel's oppression under the Midianites and the introduction of Gideon — a timid, fearful man whom God calls and equips through an encounter with the angel of the Lord to tear down an altar to Baal and Asherah under cover of night. The chapter closes with Gideon's famous fleece, testing God's promise with dew on the ground and then dew withheld, and the tension between Gideon's boldness in confronting Baal's followers and his lingering need for reassurance.

In Proverbs 14:21–24, the discussion covers the sin of despising one's neighbor against the blessing of generosity to the poor, the steadfast love and faithfulness that meet those who devise good versus the wayward path of those who devise evil, the profit found in hard toil against the poverty that comes from mere talk, and the wealth that crowns the wise in contrast to the folly that only breeds more folly.

For more information about Compass Bible Church South Valley, visit compassbiblesv.org. Keep reading. Keep growing. God’s Word is a lamp to your feet, and a light to your path.