Forty Years of Peace
28 So Midian was subdued before the sons of Israel, and they did not lift up their heads anymore. And the land was undisturbed for forty years in the days of Gideon.
29 Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house. 30 Now Gideon had seventy sons who [u]were his direct descendants, for he had many wives. 31 His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he [v]named him Abimelech. 32 And Gideon the son of Joash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the sons of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-berith their god. 34 Thus the sons of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; 35 nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in accord with all the good that he had done to Israel.
Just as with so many “famous” folks today, when they die, our “mass” memory fades quickly. So it was with Gideon, though he was chosen by God and delivered them from severe oppression, his family was quickly forgotten after his death.
That wasn’t the worst part though. They not only forgot Gideon, they forgot the God who had chosen them and given them the very land they walked upon.
It’s easy to take God for granted, but don’t fall victim to “easy”. Serving God requires dedication, but it’s worth it every day. Remember Him, and all He has given you (even the ground you stand upon).