Notes: June 14, 2008 - Judges 6
Bob Feather June 14th, 2008
The Call of Gideon
After only 7 years of Midianite oppression, God raised up Gideon to deliver Israel (Judges 6:1,14).
- As the Midianites destroyed crops, flocks and herds Israel experienced a food shortage (1-6)
- In answer to their prayers, God sent word that He would deliver the people (7-10).
- Gideon questions his call; and the Lord sends fire from a rock to authenticate the commission (11-24)
- The deliverer’s first task is to destroy his father’s idolatry (25-32); his father learns and teaches a valuable lesson.
- Dew and a fleece are the instruments by which Gideon wishes God to prove (again) His will for Gideon (33-40).
Meditation Points:
- God is under no obligation to deliver sinful people from their problems. Certainly such have no reason to complain when the Lord allows them to suffer for any length of time.
- The nation that once had the powerful presence of God was impoverished and frightened by a people that they should have conquered easily. This has been the case ever since-a nation is blessed by God, that nation forgets about God, the nation loses it reputation, power and wealth.
- God saw Gideon as a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12,14). Gideon saw himself as the least of an insignificant family (Judges 6:15). Better to accept God’s evaluation (and strength).
- Yes, Gideon destroyed his father’s idols at night, under the cover of darkness; but he did destroy them (Judges 6:27). Have you ever had to turn your back on the false religious traditions of your ancestors?
- “If he be a god…” was the father’s response to his offended neighbors (Judges 6:31). The day before there was no doubt of Baal’s existence and power; and now there is reason to believe otherwise. Is the object of your religious activity really God?
- The Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon (Judges 6:34). What else, Who else, would he need?
- Have you ever placed a fleece before the Lord and challenged Him to prove Himself? Gideon did; and when he didn’t like God’s response, Gideon arranged for a second opinion (Judges 6:37-40). Do you always accept God’s answers to your prayers?
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Judges 6:1,14
1And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
14And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
Judges 6:12,14
12And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
14And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
Judges 6:15
15And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
Judges 6:27
27Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
Judges 6:31
31And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
Judges 6:34
34But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
Judges 6:37-40
37Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
38And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
40And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
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