Gideon's Pursuit of Midian

Introduction

I remember growing up in a family that was large for its day. But we all knew each other quite well. When it was time to get a job done there were those known to disappear. There were those who made it take all day. There were those that worked hard and diligently. And there were some that liked to talk. Perhaps you have those stereo types in your workplace or family. They can be kind of humorous, but sometimes they can be very serious to the success or failure in getting a job well done.

Please turn with me in your Bibles to Judges 8. We will be studying Judges 8:1-21. Tonight we are looking at Gideon’s pursuit of the Midianites. Through this historical account we will see three types of people that can be in a church. There are the Gideon’s and the small band of 300 who are the conquerors. There are the Ephraimites who are contentious and must be praised to be pleased. Then there are the churlish of Succoth and Penuel who expect the work to be done before they lift a finger of aid. While we are talking about the nation of Israel we are drawing applications to our lives today.

These applications could be applied to almost any group. Your place of work, your family perhaps, and school, but we are going to ask you to think about yourself in relation to your church family. There are always the folks that make things happen. There are the people that are going to try to pick a fight. And there are the people that ought to help, but they instead expect you to do all the work and won’t lift a finger to help until after the work is all done.

While we look at this historical account which happens roughly 1300 years before Cxhrist comes. It is important we recognize that the nation of Israel is God’s people. Today the family of God goes beyond Israel and includes Jews and non-Jews who make up local NT churches. As we make this distinction it is important to note the obvious: Israel is not the church, nor is the Church Israel. The church is a mystery revealed in the NT and instituted by Christ.

D. God intends the local church to work together. What happens in Judges chapter 8 is a nightmare compared to what God intends our church to be.

P. At Lake Baptist Church God intends for us to work together instead of being at each other’s throats. So lets review the three groups again. We have the...

The Conquering

The Contentious

The Churlish

Pray

1. The contentious are ready to start a fight.

Judges 8:1–3 “And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer? God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.”

Explain: The Contentious Ephraimites

They wanted to be called to the battle before it began.

The Ephraimites feel belittled. They are desirous for a share in the glory of the victory.

Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thous wentest to fight the Midianites? Why weren’t asked to help fight from the get go.

The Ephraimites wanted to be in on the battle on ground zero.

Yet we know that was not God’s plan or intentions.

Jeremiah 45:5 “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.”

They are desirous for some gore of war.

Psalm 11:5 “The Lord trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.”

The Ephraimites were a people that were starting a track record for wanting to be in on wars.

Judges 12

They claimed Jephthah should have let them in and went to war over it.

42,000 Ephraimites were killed by fellow Israelites because of their prideful attitudes and desire to be in on the blood and gore.

They were like picky, pecky chickens. Sometime the chickens will kill their own, and sometimes Christians pick at each other till they spiritually destroy one another and their testimony for Christ. Galatians 5:15 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”

The desire to be in on the spiritual battles.

The desire to fight your brethren because you weren’t asked is a problem.

Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Hebrews 13:1 “Let brotherly love continue.”

They talked to Gideon very sharply.

Christianity cannot flourish in a time of strife and contention among its professors.

Jonathan Edwards (American Evangelical Preacher)

Chide

Plead and complain, contend and fight.

We should not be contentious.

Sharply

Very forceful

Mightily/cry mightily

Proverbs 17:14 “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”

Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Grace is rooted in a word that means “to be glad”

Chariti - to be loving in your speech.

Gideon’s diplomacy and humble spirit wins the day. Judges 8:3 “God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.”

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger.”

Argue

Gideon had called a 32,000 from Manasseh, Asher, Naphtali and Zebulon and God shrunk his army to 300 men.

Gideon nevertheless does not respond with arrogance, he responds with humility.

Gideon’s soft answer turns away their wrath as he says they got the best in getting Oreb and Zeeb.

Illustrate:

I remember a family I knew of in Texas that had disputes with each other and it got to the point that a relative murdered another family member with a shot gun.

Don’t be like the Ephraimites just feuding with other Christians because you didn’t get the best job or you weren’t called to help. It’s devilish. James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

Apply

Are you the Christian, who must be included on the battles that are noticed, and become upset if YOU are not.

We are a family that works together.

That family is our church.

But it can even be more broadly the family of God, especially like-minded churches.

Not everyone is needed on every task.

God had a purpose making Gideon’s victory obviously a God thing.

Do you have others recognize what you did for you to be happy.

Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

Proverbs 3:27 “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

Christian are you the one that is contentious trying to start arguments because of supposed wrongs.

Notice the Ephraimites speech was sharp.

Have you listened to yourself talk lately?

What is the tone of your voice?

What words come out of your mouth? Do they give grace or do they grate like fingers on a chalk board?

Sometimes we excuse ourselves that we are only trying to help and we really into our own pride. It has ceased to be about doing God’s Work and become about making ourselves look good.

Christian don’t be an evil speaker of others be encouraging of others.

Be looking to praise instead of suck your thumb and whine and fight those who got to do more than you.

2. The churlish are unwilling to share to meet a need.

Judges 8:4–9 “And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them. And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian. And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army? And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers. And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him. And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

Explain: The Inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel of the tribe of Gad

The prideful men of Succoth wanted the capture of the kings before he they helped.

Succoth was across the Jordan river in the pastureland on the east side of Jordan. Here Joseph made booths or stalls for his cattle. The name Succoth is a transliteration of the Hebrew word for booths or huts.

Jacob the Father of the twelve sons who would make up the twelve tribes of Israel had lived in this area for a time just after he met his brother Esau with 400 men.

The men of Penuel

These men were from the place near Succoth.

Penuel is where there forefather Jacob wrestled with God the whole night before he met Esau his brother.

Jacob named the place Penuel which means the face of God.

Unfortunately these men did not live as if they were before the face of God and also treated Gideon and his small band of 300 spitefully as the men of Succoth.

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Beholding the evil and the good.”

Who were the inhabitants of Succoth and Penuel. These were fellow Israelites that should have been at the least:

Hospitable for their brethren trying to remove the threat of these murderous enemies from their land. They should have cheerfully come to the aid of Gideon and his men.

Ungenerous spirits who never entertain either God’s servants or the poor, miss many a blessing. May we never be a churlish household.

Charles Spurgeon

Helped with reinforcements. Gideon and his men are described as faint and yet pursuing.

They needed help physically. There was nothing that said they couldn’t join Gideon’s band, but they didn’t. They should of come along side and encouraged Gideon and his men.

Instead, they hounded Gideon for not already having the job done.

If you want our help, let us see the captured Kings.

If you have no kings, you won’t get a thing.

Gideon leaves them with a warning that should have motivated them to come to their aid, but they don’t.

Likely these men have backslidden and are idolaters, for they show no faith that God would give the victory.

The men of Succoth refuse aid because Gideon is not victorious.

The men of Penuel trust their tower over God.

Argue

Where they justified in refusing? You be the judge.

Deuteronomy 15:11 “For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”

It didn’t seem like Succoth and Penuel needed Gideon’s services all that much and they didn’t think he could beat the enemy.

God promised Gideon.

Judges 6:14 “And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”

Judges 6:16 “And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.”

Two fleece tests, wet then dry.

Judges 7:7 “And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.”

Gideon promised them of punishment.

Succoth - Judges 8:7 “And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”

Penuel - Judges 8:9 “And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

Illustrate

Well everything in life is going fine, so I really don’t need God all that much or to help you out.

A stick in the mud.

Apply

The Christian who will not be hospitable.

We have covered this a bit recently in the past weeks. Hospitality is a duty of a Christian.

It is to be shared cheerfully.

Friendly to strangers. 1 Timothy 3:2 “A bishop then must be ... given to hospitality, ...”

Pursuing opportunities to show kindness. Romans 12:13 “Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

Gideon’s men and these wicked men were both supposed be God’s chosen people, but the men of Succoth and Penuel certainly were not pursuing hospitality.

It shouldn’t me done with a grumbling and complaining. 1 Peter 4:9 “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.”

The selfish Israelites missed out on the blessing of God using them to help bring victory to their people because they were churlish, unhelpful snobs.

Have you missed out on rewards, God wanted to give you because you were stingy with your money that God gave you to steward.

The Christian who will not help.

These were able bodied men unwilling to help in the battle.

Are you and able bodied Christian who refuses to grab a hold the opportunities that present themselves to serve God.

Sometimes we as Christians are like dogs with a choke collar on, gauging, because we are fighting so hard to not to do what God is leading us to do.

Young person and teenager do your parents have to drag you to church, or are you delighted to be in church and help your grow by coming with a smile on your face and being happy to help wherever you can.

Are you the Christian that you make your pastor feel like he is pulling your teeth to get you to do anything extra to serve the Lord. Or you simply a pew warmer.

My friend, don’t miss out on the opportunities to be able to be used of God to aid in great works of God.

The Christian who hounds.

Where are Zeba and Zalmunna? Where is the God of judgment? What

They don’t trust God to work through his people that are working for and called of God. They trust in themselves.

They are unwilling to lift a finger to help those who are working for God.

Will you pray for those working - Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Will you lay what you have to help in God’s Work - Romans 12:1–2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Or will you downplay the work and excuse yourself from helping - God tells us to be of one mind in the Lord. The men of Succoth and Penuel were one minded in their opposition to God’s man and suffered dire consequences. So too, those who fight against the called of God will be judged of God. Lake Baptist splitters left and never went back faithfully to any church. They became ineffective for God.

Don’t be a churlish Christian who hinders God’s work from moving forward. Be quick to be a helper like Phebe. Romans 16:1–2 “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”

t. If you want to stay effective for God get in the battle and persist in your service for the Lord.

3. The conquering are thorough in their victory.

A. Enemies Defeat.

Judges 8:10–12 “Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure. And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.”

Judges 8:18–21 “Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.”

Explain: Devastation of the enemy.

A host that had started as 135,000 in the valley of Jezreel is no longer the force it was being dwindled down by 89% to a force of about 15,000. They have run around 50 to 60 miles at least.

God had wrought a great victory for Gideon and his band of 300.

God had turned every man’s sword against his fellow. (Judges 7:22) Not one of Gideon’s men die.

The remainder of the host has crossed Jordan across from a Canyon that takes you up from the Rift Valley that the Jordan flows through connecting the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. It is about midway between these two seas they cross over Jordan and East up through the trade route past Succoth and Penuel and then due East up the Jabbok Canyon before turning south along the trade route which would connect them to the King’s Highway. Along the King’s Highway the Scripture tells us they went through Jagbehah and Nobah which were cities that were alloted to the tribe of Gad. They finally settled down in Kakor a place where they finally get out of hilly terrain near the barren Eastern Desert.

Seizure of Midian’s two Kings: Judges 8:10–12 “Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword. And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure. And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.”

The Scriptures says they were secure. This means they thought they were safe from any further attacks. They were resting and felt confident they would have no further trouble from Gideon’s band.

Gideon captures the two Midianite Kings who all of a sudden leave in a startled haste.

Gideon dicomfits or brings fear into the remainder of the Midianite army.

Slaying of Midian’s two Kings: Judges 8:18–21 “Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.”

Gideon seems to have taken these kings home and puts them on trial for killing his brothers.

Gideon then kills Zeba and Zalmunna for their killing his brothers inspite of their vain attempt to smooth talk him into describing his family as royalty.

Flattery is a trick that sets a trap for those who fall for it. Gideon does not fall for it. Job 32:22 “For I know not to give flattering titles; In so doing my maker would soon take me away.”

These terrorist kings are put to their rightful deaths.

Gideon’s firstborn Jether is to nervous to kill the kings.

Gideon then kills Zeba and Zalmunna himself.

Argue

Shouldn’t of Gideon spared their lives? No. Genesis 9:6 “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

Does God expect us to carry out this type of warfare today? No.

Commit your vengeance to God. Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Commit your vengeance to God ordained authority. Romans 13:4 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Be careful to walk in obedience to God because he judges sin. 1 John 5:16 “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”

Illustrate: We conquer through bold obedience Philippians 1:28 “And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.”

Apply

Recognize the battle is won through the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:14 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

Paul died a martyr, but he died a conqueror for Christ.

Overcomers are conquerors, and in order to conquer one must fight!

William Hendriksen; Simon J. Kistemaker

If you believe that Christ was more worthy of imitation than Cæsar or Alexander; and that it is more glory to be a Christian than to be a conqueror, even to be a man than a beast, which often exceed us in strength; then contend with charity, and not with violence; and set meekness, and love, and patience against force; and not force against force.

Richard Baxter (Puritan Divine)

Be Ruthless in destroying the sin out of your life that would seek to destroy you. Don’t rationalize or excuse your sin. You must starve it out. Gideon was nigh dead in this battle worn out yet relentless. He was thorough in getting the enemy destroying his people and their lives. Romans 8:13 “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

If you will be a conqueror you must be relentless against sin. Perhaps there are sins that have taken the lives of family and friends. In our community and nationwide drug deaths have killed 10’s of thousands.

What has killed Christians testimony for the Lord? Lack of love and compassion. Be purposed to let Jesus’ love be known through your life. John 13:35 “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

B. Brethren Disciplined.

Judges 8:13–17 “And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men. And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”

Explain

Diffused Conflict - Judges 8:3 “God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.”

Proverbs 15:1–2 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: But grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: But the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Gideon diplomatically diffused a small scale civil war.

So too, many times in churches civil war may be on the lurk when a far more important battle rages outside the walls of the church as millions go to hell.

Keep the focus on God’s Glory, not yours.

Displayed commitment -Judges 8:4 “And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.”

Gideon and his men were near fainting. Yet they didn’t quit.

Hebrews 12:3–4 “For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”

Give every ounce of strength and energy you have to do righteousness even at your weakest moments. Psalm 106:3 “Blessed are they that keep judgment, And he that doeth righteousness at all times.”

Dealt confidently - Judges 8:7, 9 “And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers...And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

Proverbs 3:25–26 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, And shall keep thy foot from being taken.”

Christian you have the promise of heaven. Move forward in your battle against sin and warn brotherly detractors against hindering God’s work.

Disciplined Churlish - Judges 8:13–17 “And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men. And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary? And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth. And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.”

The elders of Succoth thought they were so spiritual or wise they didn’t need to help in God’s Work. Be careful that you are not so proud, that you will not help the cause of the Gospel through your local church.

When we are too proud to help, we bring upon ourselves the chastisement of God.

Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”

Be careful not be like those of Penuel who trusted a tower instead of the name of the Lord.

They lost their tower and their lives.

When we trust our own towers we lose our lives too.

Conclusion:

What description does your life fit most? Contentious, Churlish or Conquering. May we be quick to repent of our prideful contentious spirits and humbly surrender ourselves in obedience to his authorities in our lives. May we not be sticks in the mud. Don’t rest under the name of a stereo type. You can choose to serve in Jesus’ army, in His church as a conqueror. Be faithful and persist, though weary press on and you will receive the prize and the well done, faithful servant.

Christian we need each other. We need to go forth to conquer in the name of the Lord. We have a dark kingdom of Satan who has blinded the lost to their imminent and eternal damnation to hell. Let us be bold in the fight to shine the light of the glorious gospel to those bound in their sin and liberate them with the Gospel that makes free.