The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges Lesson 9 Judges 7:23—8:32 When More is Less Or What Happened to Gideon? October 11, 2009

I.Introduction A.There was a faint smell in our playroom... 1.Our last message ended on a positive note. 2.But our text begins to emit a smell... 3.Gideon’s problems are not over; indeed they are far worse than anticipated. B.Brief review of Gideon’s success (7:1-22) C.A quick tour of our text II.Help arrives, but does it help? (7:23-8:3) A.This section is a kind of parenthesis B.Nagging Questions 1.Who called for help? 2.Why was help needed, especially after so many were sent back? What’s changed?

C.So what’s up with Ephraim and Gideon? 1. What’s the focus or issue here? 2. Why was Ephraim called to help? 3. What did Ephraim contribute? 4. Why is Ephraim angry? 5. Gideon’s response: wise words or playing politics? 6. Where are Ephraim & Gideon wrong? III.Two kings and two cities (8:4-21) A.Gideon’s dealings with Succoth and Penuel (8:4- 17). 1. Gideon and his 300 (where is Ephraim?) 2. Tired and hungry, ask for bread 3. Rebuffed by these cities, Gideon threatens reprisal when he returns.

4. Gideon deals very harshly with these Israelite towns on his return, after his victory over the Midianites – Why? B.Gideon’s dealings with Zebah and Zalmunna (8:18-21) 1. Gideon captured these kings and brought them to Succoth & Penuel. 2. He questions the kings about Tabor deaths. 3. Those killed were Gideon’s blood brothers. 4. Gideon would have released them? 5. When his son declines, Gideon kills them.

IV.A royal offer, but is it declined (Judges 8:22- 32)? A.“Be our king, and establish a dynasty, because you delivered us” (8:22). B.“The LORD will rule over you” (8:23). C.Does Gideon’s conduct match his pious and theologically correct response? 1. The two kings: Gideon and his brothers acted as if they were royalty (8:18). 2. Gideon had a “harem” (8:29-31) 3. Gideon collected a “tax” (8:24-27). 4. Gideon’s son, Abimelech a.The meaning of his name b.He becomes a king (9:1-22) 5. Return to Ophrah: Gideon’s ephod (8:27)

V.Conclusion A.Contrast our text with Deborah’s song in chapter five. B.Last mention of peace/rest in Judges (8:28) C.The ephod incident was the result of a sequence of failures that looked like success. D.The “I won’t be your king” statement was hypocritical. E.About spiritual decline: 1. It can happen more quickly than you think. 2. Not apparent at first, but only later. F.Leadership G.When more is less H.Prosperity often outlives piety

Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 9 in the series, The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 11, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.