Rev. Dr. Stephen Tee

Introduction Studying a series on the “Titles of God” Studied 3 titles so far. 1. Jehovah Jireh – Gen 22 Today we are studying another Title of God. “Jehovah Shalom” 3. Jehovah Nissi – Ex Jehovah Raphael – Ex 15 Remember each title revealed God’s intervention in their lives when Israel were experiencing crisis. 1. Oppression 2. Bondage 3. Poverty 4. Fear

The saddest thing that can happen to a:  family,  church  or nation Israel was such a nation - Judges 2: Note verse 7 1. The people serve the Lord all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua. 2. who had seen all the great work of the LORD that he had wrought for Israel. Is when the next generation does not know God.

Note Verse there arose another generation after them, that knew not the LORD, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel. 2. nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel. What are the consequences? – Judges 2:11-13 v11. And the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baalim; V12. and they forsook the LORD, and followed other gods, bowed themselves down unto them: and they provoked Jehovah to anger. V13 they forsook Jehovah, and served Baal and the Ashtaroth.

V14 the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that despoiled them; and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. V15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of Jehovah was against them for evil, as Jehovah had spoken, and as Jehovah had sworn unto them: and they were sore distressed. Consequences

V1 revealed that Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. Disobedience always has its consequences. Israel oppressed by the Midianites and Amlekites for 7 yrs – v1 Israel’s land and crops were ravaged by them. As a results Israel have to hide in:  mountain dens  caves Israel were refugees and fugitives in their own land. Immediate Context – Judges 6 Israel experienced 40 years of peace and prosperity – Judg 5:31 Israel was improvised

Remember the Lord’s warning to Israel through Moses. When Israel did evil or disobeyed God, Israel will be:  in oppression  in bondage  robbed continually  there shall be no one to help you  a nation that they have not known shall eat up the fruit of your ground Curses detailed in Duet 28 when Israel disobeyed God

Prophetic word from and unnamed Prophet – v 7-10 Key to restoration and deliverance. Israel cried to the Lord – v7 God always hear their cry. God sent an unnamed prophet to remind Israel of His: 1. Deliverance 2. Encouragement Read v7-11

7 things God did for Israel ? – v brought you up from Egypt, 2. and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; 3. delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, 4. and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, 5. drove them out from before you, 6. and gave you their land; 3 things God reminded Israel – v10 1. I am the Lord your God 2. ye shall not fear the gods of the Amorites 3. ye have not hearkened unto my voice.

Call of Gideon – v Who was Gideon? 1. Son of Joash of Abiezerite – v11 2. From the Tribe of Manesseh (small tribe) – v15 3. Least in my father’s house (youngest) – v15 Gideon’s Circumstances 1. Hiding from the Midianites – threshing wheat by the winepress. Threshing floor is a very significant place in Scripture. b. decisionc. visitationd. commitmenta. testing An Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon- v11

Examples in Scripture of Threshing floor experience. 1. Ruth met with Boaz and received his pledge to undertake for her. 2. David sacrifice to God following the sin of numbering the people, resulting in the Temple being built on that spot. 3. It was on the threshing-floor of Satan that Peter was to be tested. Angelic Visitation Angel declares 2 things to Gideon How did Gideon response? 1. He was controlled by his circumstances. 2. He looked at the situation 3. He questioned God’s integrity 1. The Lord is with thee, 2 “thou mighty man of valor.

Gideon questioned why Israel was experiencing:  troubles  calamities  oppression of the Midianites if God is with them Gideon questioned where are the miracles that God did for Israel if God is present with them. Gideon could not understand why the Lord had delivered them to the Midianites. Perhaps, many of us asked the same question as Gideon. On hindsight, we know the reason. Disobedience

To overcome Gideon’s fear, God commanded him to go in His power to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon recognizes his inability. Israel was under oppression for seven (7) years. Defeat, fear, inability and so on have already set in his mind. Gideon failed to realize that when he question God his suitability for the task, he is basically questioning God’s:  wisdom  ability

1. He was timid – hiding threshing wheat 2. He has unbelief 3. He had low self esteemed – v15 4. He was disappointed with God. Deliverer V14 - Gideon was God’s chosen vessel. God saw Gideon as a mighty man of valour. God will use a nobody to become a somebody if the person is willing. Any one of us would have rejected Gideon.

God has a different eye sight 1. God sees his potential. 2. God knows his weakness, faults and shortcomings 3. God see what Gideon can become as He works in his live. Gideon questions his suitability and ability. That is a good way to evaluate ourselves. God never use a vessel because of the vessel’s ability. God chooses the ( 1 Cor 1:25-29 ): weak despised No flesh glory but God foolish

V14 – God commanded Gideon to go in His might. The results: 1. Save Israel 2. Guarantee victory – have I not sent thee V16-21 – God again assured Gideon of His presence and victory. All along, Gideon did not realize that He was talking to the Lord. He asked for a sign. He went back to prepare sacrifice. The sacrifice was consumed.

V22- Gideon now realized that he saw the Lord and was extremely fearful that he will die. He remembered Moses’ warning in Ex33:20 “No man can see me a live” V23 – Gideon immediate response was fear. But God commanded him not to fear and assured him that he will not die. V24 – To remember God’s promise, Gideon built an altar and called it “Jehovah Shalom”

The word “shalom” is very rich in meaning especially to the Jews. The most common understanding of shalom (peace) is: 1. Cessation of violence 2. Cessation of hostility No English word is rich enough to comprehensively define shalom. Shalom convey a sense of being at peace with God. Peace with God involves more than just forgiveness of sin. Shalom (peace with God) results includes: fullness of live prosperity peace with men

Shalom : "The biblical concept of peace...rests heavily on the Hebrew root "sh-l-m", which means:  “to be complete”  “to be sound.” The noun had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories: (1) shalom as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health); (2) shalom as right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant  to live well

(3) shalom as prosperity, success, or fulfillment (Lev 26:3-9); (4) shalom as victory over one’s enemies or absence of war. Shalom was used in both greetings and farewells. It was meant to act as a blessing on the one to whom it was spoken: “May your life be filled with:  health,  prosperity, ” As an adjective, it expressed: completeness  victory.  harmony safety. wholeness