Gideon and the 300

Intro

The battle to sleep when you’re sick. I couldn’t breathe. My neck spazzed out. Coughing. Bad dreams. For two nights, it was a war. Seemed to never end.

Today’s sermon is about a rather quick war.

Main Idea: God delivers the victory

The period of the Judges was a rough time for Israel. After the mostly conquested Canaan. Judges = military leaders whom God raises up to rescue his people. Historical cycle = sin, war as judgment, repentance, deliverance. God gave Israel over to Midian for seven years. God reminded the people that he said to not bother with other gods. They didn’t listen. He called Gideon who was the least in Manasseh. He destroyed the Asheroth and altar to Baal.

3 Responses:

Response #1: We give him the glory (1-8)

Exp. Gideon has an army with him to fight the Midianites. Verses 1-2. Given the name Jerubbaal because he destroyed the altar. Currently the army is at 32,000. God says it’s too many. Purpose = so that they wouldn’t boast in themselves. The victory is not in question. How Israel will determine the victory is. Verses 3-8. Two arbitrary tests to reduce the army. Now the number is 300. God can deliver a victory with 32,000 or 300. He doesn’t need the numbers, but he deserves the glory.

Ill. Braves winning the World Series. Darin didn’t watch the entire game because they were winning. We thought we were helping them win. We did nothing to help them win. Same with Gideon. God provided the victory and he deserves the glory.

Arg. God doesn’t need a lot to succeed. He defeated Goliath with a shepherd. He defeated Egypt with one prophet. He defeated sin and death with one man: Jesus.

Christ - Victory was accomplished through one man: Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Paul reminds us that our salvation comes through God’s grace, not our works.

App. Giving glory to God should be the under current of our lives. It should be what tunes our hearts and drives our actions. Ask “Is what I’m doing giving glory to God?” Counteracted with the question: “Is what I’m doing giving glory to me?”

Response #2: We worship him alone (9-15)

Exp. God wanted to reassure Gideon. Verse 9-11. Gideon is scared. He brought Purah. Verse 12. Contrasts the 300 men of Israel. Hears a dream. Verses 13-14. God was reassuring Gideon. He gave a Midianite a dream and had it interpreted. Imagine God’s will for your life being in the dreams of someone else. Gideon’s response: Verse 15. Gideon’s fears are gone. In the camp of the Midianites worships. Gideon’s story includes the destruction of Baal altar and worshiping God for deliverance. He is worthy of our worship.

Christ - The disciples worshiped Jesus after he appeared to them post-resurrection. Jesus had explained to them, but they didn’t understand. After he resurrected, it began to make sense! They bowed and worshiped! Gideon did the same. In the moment, he didn’t wait.

Arg. Worship should proceed from us seeing God at work. As believers, since he works in us daily, this should drive us to worship daily.

If you will not worship God seven days a week, you do not worship him on one day a week.

A. W. Tozer

App. Like Gideon, the end is written. Worship God.

Singing - in the car, while doing chores.

Prayer - as you go, special moments

God’s Word - interacting with the inspired Word is worship

Obedience

Response #3: We walk in obedience (16-25)

Ill. Baseball slump. Coach says, “Do what I say, and you’ll see results.” If I ignore his counsel, I’ll continue to slump. God calls us to obedience.

Exp. Gideon had a renewed vigor. Confidence. Came back and told the army exactly what God told him. Divided the 300 men into three companies. Jars, torches, and trumpets. Verses 19-25. Such an odd way to win the battle. God didn’t need 300 men. He didn’t need swords and spears. He demanded obedience. Gideon’s obedience gave way for God to win the battle.

Arg. We cannot separate Christianity from the God who calls us to obedience. Call to obedience and holiness still applies to us. We must put sin as far from us as possible. We must resist and fight temptation as if our lives depended on it. Acknowledge that we have grace given to us when we fall, but that grace cannot be a crutch to continue in sin. How do we walk in obedience?

Christ - We do so in Jesus. Jesus was obedient to the point of death. Philippians 2:5-11, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus would walk in obedience to the cross.

App. God doesn’t demand competence. He demands obedience. He didn’t choose Gideon because of his talents. He was working in the fields when he was called. God knew Gideon would obey. Then God would work wonders.

How to walk in obedience:

Align yourself in his will

Acknowledge his commands

Assign accountability