1. Unthinkable Ways God Gets the Glory Judges 7:1-23 Ron Clement

2. 1. God’s “Unthinkable” Directive : “You have too many people”. (vs. 2), “There are still too many people” (vs. 4) a. The initial count: 32,000 to 120,000 The Ratio: 1 to 4 b. The intermediate count: 10,000 to 120,000 The Ratio: 1 to 12 c. The final count: 300 to 120,000 The Ratio: 1 to 400

3. 2. God’s Clarifying Objective: (vs 2) The people would be in danger of Bragging.

4. 3. God’s Pruning Process : a. Give a way out to the fearful / A test of courage b.Put others to the test/A test of alertness. How they drank the water.

5. 4. Settling on God’s Leadership toward the Impossible (vs. 9-15) a.Trusting God’s Word. (vs. 2, 7, 9) “I have handed them over to you”, “I will deliver” b.Watching and listening for confirmations/ indicators of His working. (vs. 10-15) c. Worshiping now for victory later. (vs. 15)

6. 5. Acting in Faith for His Glory (vs. 15-23) a. Exhortation to action (vs. 15) b. Recollection of the promise (vs. 15) c.Leading by example (17-18)

7. 5. Acting in Faith for His Glory (vs. 15-23) d.Using what you have and trusting God for the other resources (vs. 8, 16) A trumpet, a pitcher, a torch. -The component of surprise=darkness -The dual purpose of pitchers=hide the lamps, breakage of the pottery -The effect of lighted torches in darkness -The carrying of sound -The strategic positioning of soldiers=surrounding the enemy camp -Startled confusion-they run and cry -The enemy turns on one another=”The Lord set the swords…in the army against each other.” (vs. 22) -Using the weaknesses of the enemy against them-“It’s the sword of Gideon”

8. 6. Giving Credit to God Before Enemy and Ally (vs. 15, 18, 20)

9. 7. Lessons: a.Our confidence should not depend on the numbers we have on board with us. b.God can use the few with a deep level of commitment more than He desires to use the masses with little to no commitment. c.Sometimes it is God’s pruning process when He decreases our numbers. d.God acts so that there is no question who brings/brought the victory.

10. 7. Lessons: e.Make it your life goal to deflect praise to God. f.We should be diligent in seeking God’s leading and then confidently act upon it. g.Be willing to be an example to others. h.Take what you have and what you know to do and let God bring the resources.