Huble thinking

1 But the men of Efrayim complained to Gid‘on, “Why didn’t you call on us when you went to fight Midyan? Why did you treat us this way?” They were sharp in their criticism. 2 He answered by saying to them, “How can what I have done be compared with what you have done? Aren’t the grapes Efrayim leaves on the vines better than the ones Avi‘ezer harvests? 3 God handed over to you Midyan’s chiefs, ‘Orev and Ze’ev. What could I do that matches what you did?” By saying that, he appeased their anger at him.
- Judges 8:1-3


Pride and Honor don't come together. The men of Efrayim were proud, they wanted to be part of the battle so that they will be honored along with them. But Gideon knew that this was in their hearts and he was wise enough to respond to what they needed instead of fighting against them, after all they were his brothers. Even though they criticized Gideon sharply even after Gideon fought for Israel and risked his life for this battle, the hearts of the men of Efrayim were full of pride. Pride truly will get in the way of being grateful. Pride will make you say things unreasonably, even when it makes no sense, pride will make you become senseless.

But Gideon, was humble and wise and knew exactly what the men of Efrayim wanted to have. They wanted to have honor along with him who fought so greatly for the people of Israel. Gideon humbled himself to lift the men of Efrayim up saying I'm nothing compared to you! Now this leader has truly become a humble servant. His achievement in winning the battle did not cause him to get puffed up but it enabled him to keep the peace of Israel and his brothers. If Gideon was also proud, he would have fought his brothers for criticizing him right then and there because he didn't deserve those critisicm. But his humble attitude and wise thinking made him an even better leader.