Gideon - Mighty Warrior Judges 6 Charles Lin 3/15/2015 BOLGPC

Book of Judges Chronicles 7 cycles of sin/idolatry, oppression, repentance, and deliverance during the first 400 years in the land of Canaan (After Joshua’s death) Judges/Rulers – Deborah – Prophetess, only female judge – Gideon - Fourth judge – Samson

Israelites Oppressed by Midianites 1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the L ORD, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country.

Angel of the L ORD Visits Gideon 11 The angel of the L ORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the L ORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The L ORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Angel of the L ORD – Theophany : visible manifestation of God

Gideon's Response 14 The L ORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

The L ORD is With You 12 When the angel of the L ORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The L ORD is with you, mighty warrior.” 14 The L ORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” 16 The L ORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

Gideon's Assignments Fight the enemies within 25 Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of altar to the L ORD your God on the top of this height. Fight the enemies outside 16 I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.

Gideon Asks for Signs 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

How Gideon Saw Himself Abandoned by God 13 But now the L ORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian. Insignificant 15 “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Full of Doubt (6:36-38) Asks for confirmations twice

How The L ORD Saw Gideon A mighty warrior (6:12) Man of faith ( Heb 11:32-34) Strong in the L ORD Deliverer of His people – 6:16 you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive

Other Mighty Warriors David - Youngest in the family. God chose him to be Israel's king Moses - 80 years old when God called him to save his people Peter(Simon) - Reed to Rock of the church Paul - Persecuted Christians

How Do You See Yourself? Weak, defeated, holed up in a hole Complaining that God has not rescued you Beaten down by circumstances and cringe in fear, unable to see what God can do Feels you don’t really have anything to offer God and can’t be used by God

God Chooses You 1 Corin 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not -to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him 2 Cor. 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God Will Give You Strength Rom 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Phil. 4:13 I can do all things through him who gives me strength. 2 Tim 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self- discipline

God Will be With You 34 Then the Spirit of the L ORD came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

We don’t see God blast Gideon for his weak faith. We see God patiently work to grow Gideon’s faith. God knows right where Gideon is at. God knows right where you are at. God is patiently working to grow your faith. It was not so much that Gideon needed a sign to know what to do. He knew what God wanted him to do. It is that he needed a sign as an encouragement to do it. As we mature, we should not need that as much. But God is merciful and patient with us. God is faithful to help you grow even when you feel like you have no faith at all.