The children of Israel turned again…

“And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel.” - Judges 8v33-35

We would think that after such a marvellous victory that Israel would have been grateful for God’s working and stayed faithful to Him. Yet, they were people with short memories and perhaps they were more focused on the man and not on the Lord. As soon as Gideon died they forgot all they hade seen, began worshipping Baal, forgot about God, and did not show kindness to Gideon’s family.

A key part part of their apostasy was a lack of kindness. Kindness is not one of the Christian character traits we talk about much, yet it is listed in the fruit of the spirit. Those who are not kind are clearly not filled with the Spirit and don’t show His fruit. After all that Gideon had done for the land, they forgot all about him after he died.

Lord, help me to remember all that you have done. Help me as well to show kindness to others daily,