Page 17 - Florida Sentinel 6-9-17

Gideon (Judges 6-8)
The greeting that the angel gave Gideon was similar to what Gabriel gave Mary (Luke 1:28).
The angel reminded Gideon of a great truth—whatever the calling, God promises his pres- ence. But Gideon had a prob- lem.
If God is with us, why was Is- rael being overrun by the Mid- ianites? Gideon wanted to know why God was not work- ing miracles like he did in Egypt when he brought Israel out of bondage.
Pardon Me, How? | Judges 6:14-18
The angel’s commission was clear: Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. This time Gideon had a self-esteem problem. Much like Moses when he received God’s call, he looked inward, “Who am I?” (Exodus 3:11). Gideon ad- mitted to being from a weak clan from the tribe of Man- asseh. This tribe had the least impressive numbers of the
twelve tribes when it came to being warriors (Numbers 1:34, 35). Not only that, but half of the tribe did not even live in the true land of Israel. In addition, Gideon claimed to be the least in his family. His self-esteem was as beaten down as his wheat in the wine- press.
Self-sufficiency is an enemy when it cause us to believe we can always do what needs to be don in our own strength.
But the angel had much more confidence in Gideon than Gideon had in Gideon. Once again God’s presence was promised, I will be with you. In fact, Gideon would be able to fight from a posture of victory. Notice the promise, You will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.
This would prove true for Gideon (Judges 7:9-25) and for us (Romans 8:31-39).
Gideon was intrigued enough to want a sign. This could be a real lack of faith (John 6:26; 1 Corinthians
1:22). But more likely it was a desire for assurance. The angel granted the famous fleece re- quest (6:36-40). In the meantime, Gideon hustled away and prepared the angel some food (vv. 19-24). The food was miraculously con- sumed by fire, and the angel vanished. Gideon had to then step up to the plate and deliver Israel. His hesitancy had been swallowed up by the presence of God.
To prevent the attitude of self-sufficiency, God reduced Gideon’s army from 32,000 down to 300. With this small number of men there could be no doubt that victory was from God. Like Gideon, we must recognize the danger of fight- ing in our own strength. We can be confident of victory only if we put our confidence in God and not ourselves.
God can give you the strength to face any battle. Like Gideon, you must listen and to God and be ready to take the first step.
We are introduced to this sixth judge of Israel in the Fourth period of Judges. Fol- lowing Deborah and Barak’s great military campaign against the Canaanites over 40 years prior (last week’s lesson), Israel fell back into sin and “did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 6:1). God gave them over to the Midianites. Midianites were desert people descended from Abraham’s second wife, Keturah. From this relation came a nation that was always in conflict with Is- rael. Israel was scared to death of Midian. The Israelites hid in caves and watched as their land was ravished (vv. 2-5).
Once again Israel cried out to God, so God gave a strong and urgent call to Gideon.
God Commissions Gideon
| Judges 6:11-13
Like his countrymen Gideon, a farmer, was afraid of Midian. When the angel of the Lord came to issue God’s call to Gideon, he found Gideon threshing wheat in a wine- press. Threshing wheat was usually done in a large area, but this would have led to Gideon being an easy target, so hewasforcetodosoinapit. The angel of the Lord showed up at a well-known oak tree in Ophrah. The angel of the Lord announced God’s intention.
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