1. God Sends the Judges: Gideon

2. Introduction Our journey through the judges brings us next to Gideon. After a rest of forty years, the children of Israel once again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As a result, the Lord turned Israel over to the hand of the Midianites. God would send Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

3. The Story of Gideon The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord. (Judg 6:1-6) When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord sent a prophet to Israel. (Judg 6:7-10) An angel of the Lord called Gideon to deliver the people of Israel. (Judg 6:11-24)

4. The Story of Gideon The Lord told Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal. (Judg 6:25-32) The Midianites and Amalekites gathered in the Valley of Jezreel. (Judg 6:33-35) Before going into battle, Gideon asked twice to see a sign to show that the Lord would save Israel. (Judg 6:36-40)

5. The Story of Gideon The Lord told Gideon that there were too many people. (Judg 7:1-8) The Lord gave Gideon a sign of victory to come. This sign came through the dream of an unnamed individual. (Judg 7:9-14) Gideon and his 300 men attacked the camp of the Midianites and Amalekites. (Judg 7:15-25)

6. The Story of Gideon The men of Ephraim were upset with Gideon for not calling them into the fight. (Judg 8:1-3) Gideon and his men tried to get some bread from the people of Succoth. (Judg 8:4-9) Gideon and his men hunted down Zebah and Zalmunna and their armies, about 15,000 men. (Judg 8:10-12)

7. The Story of Gideon Gideon punished the cities of Succoth and Penuel. (Judg 8:13-17) Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna. (Judg 8:18-21) The men of Israel wanted Gideon to rule over them, him and his sons. (Judg 8:22-28)

8. Lessons Learned We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God.  Gideon tore down the altar of Baal and the wooden image. He then built an altar to the Lord and offered a sacrifice on the new altar. (Judges 6:21-27)

9. Lessons Learned We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God.  There are times when our stand as Christians will not be popular. Matthew 5:13-16 – be lights in the world.

10. Lessons Learned The Lord can give victory by 300. The Lord can give victory by two.  God sent Gideon into battle with only 300 men. (Judg 7:1-25)  With Jesus on our side, we will always have victory. (1 Cor 15:54-57)

11. Lessons Learned Let us not create a stumbling block.  Gideon made an ephod of the golden earrings. (Judg 8:22-27)  We must never do anything that could become a stumbling block to the congregation. Paul's warning. (1 Cor 8:8-13) In our lives. (1 Cor 6:12)

12. Conclusion. Remember...  We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God.  The Lord can give victory by 300. The Lord can give victory by two.  Let us not create a stumbling block.