Fear Delivered Freedom

Fear, trust, and obedience go hand in hand. This is something that can be illustrated by many different avenues. But it primarily reminds me of when I taught one of my sons to swim. I remember it like it was yesterday. At first, teaching him to swim started out by letting him splash around in one of those little round pools that are only a foot deep. Then it was time to graduate to a bigger pool. That meant playing on the step of a big pool, and every now and then sitting on the edge dipping his feet into the water. Eventually, I was able to convince him to walk around the shallow end with me to show him he could touch the bottom. After his confidence was built up I was able to convince him to go out into the deep end with me, but not until I proved to him that I could swim, and he had to have his little “swimmies” on - at least that’s what he called them; those were the little yellow blow up floating devices that went around your arms. After that, the fun began. We were off to the deep ends of the world, with a death grip around my neck, of course. After we mastered that it was time to fulfill my God-given duty as a dad and teach him to be a man and look at fear in the face and laugh at it. It was time for the big show—jumping into the pool. So, I lifted him out of the pool, stood him on the side, and said: “Come on buddy, jump!”

Fear, trust and obedience go hand in hand. This is something that can be illustrated by many different avenues. But it primarily reminds me of when I taught one of my sons to swim. I remember it like it was yesterday. At first teaching him to swim started out by letting him splash around in one of those little round pools that are only a foot deep. Then it was time to graduate to a bigger pool. That meant playing on the step of a big pool, and every now and then sitting on the edge dipping his feet into the water. Eventually, I was able to convince him to walk around the sallow end with me to show him he could touch the bottom. After his confidence was built up I was able to convince him to go out into the deep end with me, but not until I proved to him that I could swim, and he had to have his little “swimmies” on - at least that’s what he called them; those were the little yellow blow up floating devises that went around your arms. After that the fun began. We were off to the deep ends of the world, with a death grip around my neck, of course. After we mastered that it was time to fulfill my God-given duty as a dad and teach him to be a man and look at fear in the face and laugh at it. It was time for the big show—jumping into the pool. So, I lifted him out of the pool, stood him on the side, and said “Come on buddy, jump!”

Fear, trust, and obedience go hand in hand. This is something that can be illustrated by many different avenues. But it primarily reminds me of when I taught one of my sons to swim. I remember it like it was yesterday. At first, teaching him to swim started out by letting him splash around in one of those little round pools that are only a foot deep. Then it was time to graduate to a bigger pool. That meant playing on the step of a big pool, and every now and then sitting on the edge dipping his feet into the water. Eventually, I was able to convince him to walk around the shallow end with me to show him he could touch the bottom. After his confidence was built up I was able to convince him to go out into the deep end with me, but not until I proved to him that I could swim, and he had to have his little “swimmies” on - at least that’s what he called them; those were the little yellow blow up floating devices that went around your arms. After that, the fun began. We were off to the deep ends of the world, with a death grip around my neck, of course. After we mastered that it was time to fulfill my God-given duty as a dad and teach him to be a man and look at fear in the face and laugh at it. It was time for the big show—jumping into the pool. So, I lifted him out of the pool, stood him on the side, and said: “Come on buddy, jump!”

I think, at that second, my son seen his father as the craziest dumbest white man in the world. The look on his face went from joy to confusion, to outright disobedience. He frowned and said no way and went running off. So, again I had to fulfill my fatherly duty and chase him down eventually convince him to come back to the pool and trust his father even though he was afraid.

I think, at that very second, my son saw his father as the craziest, dumbest white man in the world. The look on his face went from joy to confusion, to outright disobedience. He frowned and said no way and went running off. So, again I had to fulfill my fatherly duty and chase him down eventually convince him to come back to the pool and trust his father even though he was afraid.

Fear, trust and obedience go hand in hand. Sometimes you could go as far as saying “if you loved me, you would trust me causing you to be obedient to me for fear that you would be separated from me

I think, at that very second, my son saw his father as the craziest, dumbest white man in the world. The look on his face went from joy to confusion, to outright disobedience. He frowned and said no way and went running off. So, again I had to fulfill my fatherly duty and chase him down eventually convince him to come back to the pool and trust his father even though he was afraid.

I think, at that very second, my son seen his father as the craziest, dumbest white man in the world. The look on his face went from joy, to confusion, to outright disobedience. He frowned and said no way and went running off. So, again I had to fulfill my fatherly duty and chase him down eventually convince him to come back to the pool and trust his father even though he was afraid.

I think, at that very second, my son saw his father as the craziest, dumbest white man in the world. The look on his face went from joy, to confusion, to outright disobedience. He frowned and said no way and went running off. So, again I had to fulfill my fatherly duty and chase him down eventually convince him to come back to the pool and trust his father even though he was afraid.

So, I jumped into the water (to remind him that I could touch) and stood directly in front of him with my arms reaching out and said, “Come on dude you got this!” It was the funniest thing ever, he had the heart to do it but just couldn’t bring himself to take that step. He stood there bobbing up and down in his “swimmies” like he wanted to jump—but he just couldn’t. So, I said “Come on buddy I’m right hear. I’ll catch you, I promise!” He looked at me once again like I was crazy, bobbed up and down a few more times (bouncing at the knees) and then let it rip – well it was more like a flop than a jump. And I caught him.

So, I jumped into the water (to remind him that I could touch) and stood directly in front of him with my arms reaching out and said, “Come on dude you got this!” It was the funniest thing ever, he had the heart to do it but just couldn’t bring himself to take that step. He stood there bobbing up and down in his “swimmies” like he wanted to jump—but he just couldn’t. So, I said “Come on buddy I’m right here. I’ll catch you, I promise!” He looked at me once again like I was crazy, bobbed up and down a few more times (bouncing at the knees) and then let it rip – well it was more like a flop than a jump. And I caught him.

After that, it was on! Do it again daddy, do it again! So, for quite some time we did the same exact repetitions thing—jump, catch, reset, jump, catch, reset.

It was a good time with many like it as he continues to grow. My prayer is that not only my children but all of us see the principle of that situation. Fear, trust, and obedience go hand in hand. And this is what is implied when the Bible talks to us about the fear of the LORD.

It was a good time with many like it as he continues to grow. My prayer is that not only my children but all of us see the principle of that situation. Fear, trust, and obedience go hand in hand. And this is what is implied when the Bible talks to us about the fear of the LORD. says,

It was good time with many like it as he continues to grow. My prayer is that not only my children but all of us see the principle of that situation. Fear, trust and obedience go hand in hand. And this is what is implied when the Bible talks to us about the fear of the LORD. says,

Psalm 111:10 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!

This is something many of us struggle to understand and apply to our lives, but this isn’t new to humanity. Many of us see fear as a bad thing or even a weak thing. Something that shows a lack of trust, love, and obedience. In our passage today, we’ll gain a better understanding of fear. Turn your Bible’s with me to .

This is something many of us struggle to understanding and applying to our lives, but this isn’t new to humanity. Many of us see fear as a bad thing or even a weak thing. Something that shows a lack of trust, love and obedience. In our passage today, we’ll gain a better understanding of fear. Turn your Bible’s with me to .

This was the story of Gideon when God called him to be a judged for Israel. A judge (in the book of Judges) is not someone who sits in a courtroom and tells people what to do, but the book of Judges could be called the book of deliverers. So, if you will turn with me to this story, we will get started. The book of judges is at the beginning of the Old Testament in between Joshua and Ruth. If your using one of our Bible’s the story of Gideon starts on page 117 or if you're using a smartphone or devise our passage is .

This is the story of Gideon, when God called him to be a judged for Israel. A judge (in the book of Judges) is not someone who sits in a courtroom and tells people what to do, but the book of Judges could be called the book of deliverers. So, if you will turn with me to this story we will get started. The book of judges is in the beginning of the Old Testament in between Joshua and Ruth. If your using one of our Bible’s the story of Gideon starts on page 117 or if your using a smartphone or devise our passage is .

This was the story of Gideon when God called him to be a judged for Israel. A judge (in the book of Judges) is not someone who sits in a courtroom and tells people what to do, but the book of Judges could be called the book of deliverers. So, if you will turn with me to this story, we will get started. The book of judges is at the beginning of the Old Testament in between Joshua and Ruth. If your using one of our Bible’s the story of Gideon starts on page 117 or if you're using a smartphone or devise our passage is .

During the time of time of the Judges, the people of God went through this cyclical process—sin, suffering, supplication, and then salvation. In other words, they would sin against God, He would give them over to their sin, and they would suffer until their suffering would cause them to cry out to the LORD with supplication and then the LORD would send them a deliverer to save them. Then they would follow the LORD for a while, but they would fall back into this cyclical process all over again. And that is the situation of our story today.

During the time of time of the Judges, the people of God went through this cyclical process—sin, suffering, supplication, and then salvation. In other words, they would sin against God, He would give them over to their sin and they would suffer until their suffering would cause them to cry out to the LORD with supplication and then the LORD would send them a deliverer to save them. Then they would follow the LORD for a while, but they would fall back into this cyclical process all over again. And that is the situation of our story today.

During the time of time of the Judges, the people of God went through this cyclical process—sin, suffering, supplication, and then salvation. In other words, they would sin against God, He would give them over to their sin, and they would suffer until their suffering would cause them to cry out to the LORD with supplication and then the LORD would send them a deliverer to save them. Then they would follow the LORD for a while, but they would fall back into this cyclical process all over again. And that is the situation of our story today.

Israel is in the “Promise Land” that the Lord promised to give to them. The land has had rest for forty years, after the Lord deliver Jabin the king of Canaan by the hand of Barak and Deborah; as well as his army who was led by his commander named Sisera - who died by a woman driving a tent peg into his skull, as he was cowardly hiding in her tent. But Israel continues their active cycle of sin, suffering, supplication.

Israel is in the promise land that the Lord promised to give to them. The land has had rest for forty years, after the Lord deliver Jabin the king of Canaan by the hand of Barak and Deborah; as well as his army who was lead by his commander named Sisera - who died by a woman driving a tent peg into his skull, as he was cowardly hiding in her tent. But Israel continue this restless cycle.

Israel is in the “Promise Land” that the Lord promised to give to them. The land has had rest for forty years, after the Lord deliver Jabin the king of Canaan by the hand of Barak and Deborah; as well as his army who was led by his commander named Sisera - who died by a woman driving a tent peg into his skull, as he was cowardly hiding in her tent. But Israel continues their active cycle of sin, suffering, supplication.

In verses 1-5 the narrator introduces us to the collective characters of the narrative as well as their life situation; he isn’t focused on any individual—yet. During this forty-year rest, Israel’s confidence in themselves produced a sense of pride in themselves that caused them to rely on themselves. And overdue time, their pride was overcome by their enemies. As I have said to your many times: “Pride simply means, Please Remember I Destroy Everything.” The narrator tells us that “the Hand of Midian overpowered Israel” (v.2).

In verses 1-5 the narrator introduces us to the collective characters of the narrative as well as their life situation; he isn’t focused on any individual—yet. During this forty-year rest, Israel’s confidence in themselves produced a sense of pride in themselves that caused them to rely on themselves. And overdue time their pride was overcome by their enemies. As I have said to your many times: “Pride simply means, Please Remember I Destroy Everything.” The narrator tells us that “the Hand of Midian overpowered Israel” (v.2).

In verses 1-5 the narrator introduces us to the collective characters of the narrative as well as their life situation; he isn’t focused on any individual—yet. During this forty-year rest, Israel’s confidence in themselves produced a sense of pride in themselves that caused them to rely on themselves. And overdue time, their pride was overcome by their enemies. As I have said to your many times: “Pride simply means, Please Remember I Destroy Everything.” The narrator tells us that “the Hand of Midian overpowered Israel” (v.2).

So let us begin, starting in verse one the text reads:

At first glance, someone might think that the this was a complete military failure on the part of the Israelites, that cause them to be overtaken by their enemies. The narrator makes it very clear that Israel is being suppressed and driven down into the dirt. They’re being broken down, physically and spiritually. Every time they would grow food and try to raise more livestock their enemies devoured everything. Israel started to weaken physically. They no longer could openly live in the land for fear of being completely destroyed – they were driven into the dwelling places that people were not meant to live. But what causes all of this to happen to them? This wasn’t a rooted in a military failure. Verse 1b tells us that God in his divine sovereignty “gave them into the hands of [their enemies].”

Text:

At first glance, someone might think that the this was a complete military failure on the part of the Israelites, that cause them to be overtaken by their enemies. The narrator makes it very clear that Israel is being suppressed and driven down into the dirt. They’re being broken down, physically and spiritually. Every time they would grow food and try to raise more livestock their enemies devoured everything. Israel started to weaken physically. They no longer could openly live in the land for fear of being completely destroyed – they were driven into the dwelling places that people were not meant to live. But what causes all of this to happen to them? This wasn’t a rooted in a military failure. Verse 1b tells us that God in his divine sovereignty “gave them into the hands of [their enemies].”

Right off the start, we have to ask a question: “what did they do that caused the Lord to give them into the hands of their enemies – so that we don’t make that same mistake?

1 The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Right off the start, we have to ask a question: “what did they do that caused the Lord to give them into the hands of their enemies – so that we don’t make that same mistake?

This part of the text really doesn’t tell us what they did—it just describes their situation. I can only imagine this situation. Every time you leave the cave to check your garden or to check on your livestock there is an enemy around the corner watching you, you’re outnumbered, you’re outmuscled. You know your enemies are contemplating what would be more fun: to physically harass you or just take your food to spiritually harass you. Either way, you are walking on eggshells, you’re in constant fear. You know that you have done wrong by the LORD’s standards and you’re assuming this is your punishment. You can’t think right, you can’t pray right, you can’t live right. The only thing you can seem to do is fear, but you know you’re not even doing that right because the LORD has told you and your people that “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD” but you obviously don’t understand that either. What is fear derived from anyway? Well, one thing that we can see from this passage is that Situational focus, instead of God-centered focus, cultivates fear and suppression.

2 And the hand of Midian overpowered Israel, and because of Midian the people of Israel made for themselves the dens that are in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds.

This part of the text really doesn’t tell us what they did—it just describes their situation. I can only imagine this situation. Every time you leave the cave to check your garden or to check on your livestock there is an enemy around the corner watching you, you’re outnumbered, you’re outmuscled. You know your enemies are contemplating what would be more fun: to physically harass you or just take your food to spiritually harass you. Either way, you are walking on eggshells, you’re in constant fear. You know that you have done wrong by the LORD’s standards and you’re assuming this is your punishment. You can’t think right, you can’t pray right, you can’t live right. The only thing you can seem to do is fear, but you know you’re not even doing that right because the LORD has told you and your people that “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the LORD” but you obviously don’t understand that either. What is fear derived from anyway? Well, one thing that we can see from this passage is that Situational focus, instead of God-centered focus, cultivates fear and suppression.

Fear can turn into humility, and the Lord uses our situations to draw us to him; however, the wrong kind of fear can give you a false sense of humility. And that’s what is happening here, verse 6 says:

3 For whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them.

Fear can turn into humility, and the Lord uses our situations to draw us to him; however, the wrong kind of fear can give you a false sense of humility. And that’s what is happening here, verse 6 says:

6 And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord.

4 They would encamp against them and devour the produce of the land, as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel and no sheep or ox or donkey.

Don’t let the situational focus misguide you. Sure, it says “because of Midian Israel was brought very low, and then they cried out to the LORD. This phrase was brought very low does not mean humility. It means: to just be there with nothing left, just a low hanging weak being, like a dead branch that is still hanging on a tree that serves no purpose and can produce no fruit. Let me say it another way, being brought very low has no sense of repentance, it just says, “We have nothing left—so Lord help us. In other words, Lord, we have exhausted everything in our power to make things right, and nothing we do is working so, we to turn to you—help us.

Don’t let the situational focus misguide you. Sure, it says “because of Midian Israel was brought very low, and then they cried out to the LORD. This phrase was brought very low does not mean humility. It means: to just be there with nothing left, just a low hanging weak being, like a dead branch that is still hanging on a tree that serves no purpose and can produce no fruit. Let me say it another way, being brought very low has no sense of repentance, it just says, “We have nothing left—so Lord help us. In other words, Lord, we have exhausted everything in our power to make things right, and nothing we do is working so, we to turn to you—help us. This isn’t humility. This isn’t fearing the LORD. This is fearing your surroundings—fearing social influence. However, Hitting rock bottom can cultivate a wakeup call.

5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents; they would come like locusts in number—both they and their camels could not be counted—so that they laid waste the land as they came in.

What kind of things cause you to call out to the LORD and what does this supplication sound like from God’s perspective? - reliance or rebellion.

As Israel collectively calls out to the LORD, because of their situation, The LORD sends them a prophet to remind them of what the LORD has done for them and to tell them what they have done wrong, which should give them guidance. The LORD says, through the prophet, I have delivered you from the impossibilities that were with you in Egypt. I have delivered you out of slavery. I have given you everything you needed. Yet, your reliance is on yourself, and your fear is rooted in the people I have delivered you from. I have told you not to fear the gods of the land, but you have not obeyed my voice.

What kind of things cause you to call out to the LORD and what does this supplication sound like from God’s perspective? - reliance or rebellion.

At first glance, someone might think that the this was a complete military failure on the part of the Israelites, that cause them to be over taken by their enemies. The narrator makes it very clear that Israel is being suppressed and driven down into the dirt. They’re being broken down, physically and spiritually. Every time they would grow food and try to raise more livestock their enemies devoured everything. Israel started to weaken physically. They no longer could openly live in the land for fear of being completely destroyed – they were driven into the dwelling places that people were not meant to live. But what cause all of this to happen to them? This wasn’t a rooted in a military failure. Verse 1b tells us that God in his divine sovereignty “gave them into the hands of [their enemies].”

What kind of things cause you to call out to the LORD and what does this supplication sound like from God’s perspective? - reliance or rebellion.

At first glance, someone might think that the this was a complete military failure on the part of the Israelites, that cause them to be over taken by their enemies. The narrator makes it very clear that Israel is being suppressed and driven down into the dirt. They’re being broken down, physically and spiritually. Every time they would grow food and try to raise more livestock their enemies devoured everything. Israel started to weaken physically. They no longer could openly live in the land for fear of being completely destroyed – they were driven into the dwelling places that people were not meant to live. But what cause all of this to happen to them? This wasn’t a rooted in a military failure. Verse 1b tells us that God in his divine sovereignty “gave them into the hands of [their enemies].”

If the LORD was going to send them a savior, it was entirely an act of grace and mercy on His part. This isn’t humility. This isn’t fearing the LORD. This is fearing your surroundings—fearing social influence. However, hitting rock bottom can cultivate a wakeup call.

What kind of things cause you to call out to the LORD and what does this supplication should like from God’s perspective? - reliance or rebellion.

If the LORD was going to send them a savior it was entirely an act of grace and mercy on His part. This isn’t humility. This isn’t fearing the LORD. This is fearing your surroundings—fearing social influence. However, hitting rock bottom can cultivate a wakeup call.

Looking at this cyclical cycle of Israel’s,

As Israel collectively calls out to the LORD, because of their situation, the LORD sent them a prophet to remind them of what He has done for them and to tell them what they have done wrong, which should give them guidance and lead them to repentance.

Let me reiterate for you what the LORD is saying. He says if you gather together as my people and cry out to me – even in your rebellion - I will send you a prophet to guide you. He may not tell you what you want to hear, but he will tell you what I want to hear. In other words, how are you going to hear from God if you don’t gather with God’s people? Although the prophets today don’t give you a new revelation, we do speak the very words of God, to remind you how God has delivered you out of slavery. But are you hearing his voice? To hear the Divine call to the multitude the individuals must be listening.

As Israel collectively calls out to the LORD, because of their situation, the LORD sent them a prophet to remind them of what He has done for them and to tell them what they have done wrong, which should give them guidance and lead them to repentance.

The LORD says, through the prophet, I have established my covenant with you. I have made you my people. I have delivered you from your impossibilities. I have given you everything you needed. Yet, your reliance is on yourself, and your fear is rooted in the people I have delivered you from. I have told you not to fear the gods of the land, but you have not obeyed my voice.

You might be sitting there thinking, with all the different denominations and all the different doctrinal issues in the church today, how do we know that we are not listening to a false prophet as Jesus warned us about. Well, Jesus said you’ll know them by their fruit (). And in this case, the LORD himself will show up and speak to you.

The LORD says, through the prophet, I have established my covenant with you. I have made you my people. I have delivered you from your impossibilities. I have given you everything you needed. Yet, your reliance is on yourself, and your fear is rooted in the people I have delivered you from. I have told you not to fear the gods of the land, but you have not obeyed my voice.

Right off the start we have to ask a question: “what did they do that caused the Lord to give them into the hands of their enemies – so that we don’t make that same mistake?

The LORD says, through the prophet, I have established my covenant with you. I have made you my people. I have delivered you from your impossibilities. I have given you everything you needed. Yet, your reliance is on yourself, and your fear is rooted in the people I have delivered you from. I have told you not to fear the gods of the land, but you have not obeyed my voice.

Matthew 7:16 ESV

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

Let me reiterate for you what the LORD is saying. He says if you gather together as my people and cry out to me – because of my grace and mercy - I will send you a prophet to guide you. He may not tell you what you want to hear, but he will tell you what I want to hear. In other words, how are you going to hear from God if you don’t gather with God’s people? Although the prophets today don’t give you a new revelation, we do speak the very words of God, to tell you how God, can and will, deliver you out of bondage. But are you hearing his voice? To hear the Divine call to the multitude the individuals must be listening.

Now I say this with caution, I don’t want you to think that I am saying that the LORD will audibly speak to you with the thunders of heaven (although I am not saying he couldn’t do that) but what I am saying is that you will know the Lord himself is speaking to you through the mouth of the pastor. Jesus said, “my sheep hear my voice” ().

Let me reiterate for you what the LORD is saying. He says if you gather together as my people and cry out to me – because of my grace and mercy - I will send you a prophet to guide you. He may not tell you what you want to hear, but he will tell you what I want to hear. In other words, how are you going to hear from God if you don’t gather with God’s people? Although the prophets today don’t give you a new revelation, we do speak the very words of God, to tell you how God, can and will, deliver you out of bondage. But are you hearing his voice? To hear the Divine call to the multitude the individuals must be listening.

John 10:27 ESV

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the situation of our lives that we are too busy and not focused on the right things to hear the LORD talking to us. We make excuses for why we must work on the LORD’s day, or why we can’t go participate in this and that ministry. We say we’re just tired. Or it's boring doing this and that all the time – aren’t we free in Christ. These are all examples that focus on our situation instead of God. We do this because we fear we are going to miss out on something in life. Whether it is a promotion at work, a fun time with friends, or just flat out being accepted by the people around you; these are all examples of fearing the results from human influence over the presence of God. Fear can lead to failure or faith.

The problem is sometimes we get so caught up in the situation of our lives that we are too busy and not focused on the right things to see that the LORD is standing in front of us. Fear can lead to failure or faith. We make excuses for why we must work on the LORD’s day, or why we can’t go participate in this and that ministry. We say we’re just tired. Or it's boring doing this and that all the time – aren’t we free in Christ. These are all examples that focus on our situation instead of God. We do this because we fear we are going to miss out on something in life. Whether it is a promotion at work, a fun time with friends, or just flat out being accepted by the people around you; these are all examples of fearing the results from human influence over the presence of God.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the situation of our lives that we are too busy and not focused on the right things to hear the LORD talking to us. We make excuses for why we must work on the LORD’s day, or why we can’t go participate in this and that ministry. We say we’re just tired. Or it's boring doing this and that all the time – aren’t we free in Christ. These are all examples that focus on our situation instead of God. We do this because we fear we are going to miss out on something in life. Whether it is a promotion at work, a fun time with friends, or just flat out being accepted by the people around you; these are all examples of fearing the results from human influence over the presence of God. Fear can lead to failure or faith.

Is there a difference between righteous and unrighteous fear?

And this is the situation that was going on with Gideon in v.11-18. The tension in the life of Gideon rises. Even though the LORD sent a prophet to speak to Gideon and all his family, resulting in the angel of the LORD appearing to Gideon, he was to focus on himself and his situation to recognize that it was the LORD himself – not an angle – that was speaking with him. Furthermore, Gideon wouldn’t shut up long enough to hear what the LORD said to him.

This is a question that the call of Gideon answers for us in v.11-18. The tension in the life of Gideon rises. You see Gideon who was a thresher by trade and by name – because his name means to hewn down or cut down; it means literally “he that bruises” or you could say “great warrior.” Names mean something in the Bible. Many times, a person is identified by the meaning of their name. Well, this great warrior, this one who cuts down, leaves church, after hearing the prophet speak to his people, goes back to his workstation with a lot on his mind.

This is a question that the call of Gideon answers for us in v.11-18. The tension in the life of Gideon rises. You see Gideon who was a thresher by trade and by name – because his name means to hewn down or cut down; it means literally “he that bruises” or you could say “great warrior.” Names mean something in the Bible. Many times, a person is identified by the meaning of their name. Well, this great warrior, this one who cuts down, leaves the church, after hearing the prophet speak to his people, goes back to his workstation with a lot on his mind.

This is a question that the call of Gideon answers for us in v.11-18. The tension in the life of Gideon rises. You see Gideon who was a thresher by trade and by name – because his name means to hewn down or cut down; it means literally “he that bruises” or you could say “great warrior.” Names mean something in the Bible. Many times, a person is identified by the meaning of their name. Well, this great warrior, this one who cuts down, leaves church, after hearing the prophet speak to his people, goes back to his workstation with a lot on his mind.

Ironically, this bruiser, goes back to the quite out of sight out of mind work place. You see Gideon was so fearful of the enemies of his family that he was doing his job with the wrong tools. He was threshing out the wheat in a winepress. Normally a thresher would do this out in the open at the threshing floor. This is a big open flat area that you would be seen riding around on a threshing sled behind the donkey for hours to beat the grain off the stocks. Now a wine press did not need the open air. This was a small area cut out in the ground that had two-pit-like areas. The upper one would be where you put and tramped on the grapes the lower one would be where the grapes would flow to after being trampled on to a liquid form. In other word this man (“he who bruises”) is using the wrong tool to do the job but he is doing it while hiding in fear.

Ironically, this bruiser goes back to the quiet out of sight out of mind workplace. You see Gideon was so fearful of the enemies of his family that he was doing his job with the wrong tools. He was threshing out the wheat in a winepress. Normally a thresher would do this out in the open on the threshing floor. This is a big open flat area that you would be seen riding around on a threshing sled behind the donkey for hours to beat the grain off the stocks. Now a wine press did not need the open air. This was a small area cut out in the ground that had two-pit-like areas. The upper one would be where you put and tramped on the grapes the lower one would be where the grapes would flow to after being trampled on to a liquid form. In other words, this man (“he who bruises”) is using the wrong tool to do the job, but he is doing it while hiding in fear.

Ironically, this bruiser, goes back to the quite out of sight out of mind work place. You see Gideon was so fearful of the enemies of his family that he was doing his job with the wrong tools. He was threshing out the wheat in a winepress. Normally a thresher would do this out in the open at the threshing floor. This is a big open flat area that you would be seen riding around on a threshing sled behind the donkey for hours to beat the grain off the stocks. Now a wine press did not need the open air. This was a small area cut out in the ground that had two-pit-like areas. The upper one would be where you put and tramped on the grapes the lower one would be where the grapes would flow to after being trampled on to a liquid form. In other word this man (“he who bruises”) is using the wrong tool to do the job but he is doing it while hiding in fear.

But watch this now, it all about to change.

This great warrior (that is Gideon) who is all alone is about to be met by a divine being who has a divine call on him, but because of his fear he is not going recognize the LORD or hear what he is saying. Let me say it another way, sometimes the LORD manifest himself to us when we are out of the hustle and bustle of life and thinking about the things the prophets of the LORD have said to us. However, if you're so focused on your perspective, not God’s purpose you might miss the message.

This great warrior (that is Gideon) who is all alone is about to be met by a divine being who has a divine call on him but because of his fear he is not going recognize the LORD or hear what he is saying. Let me say it another way, sometimes the LORD manifest himself to us when we are out of the hustle and bustle of life and thinking about the things the prophets of the LORD have said to us. However, if your so focused on your perspective not God’s purpose you might miss the message.

And that is what is happening to Gideon. Now the narrator gives us some information that Gideon doesn’t know. He said the “angel of the LORD” appeared to Gideon in v.11. Gideon doesn’t know if this is an angle or a prophet. There are hundreds of verses in the Bible that when an angle or the LORD himself appear to a person there is always a statement from the supernatural being that says, “do not fear” or “do not be afraid.” And because that is not said here, we can draw the conclusion that the LORD has a reason to hide this image from Gideon - for the moment. It very well may be so that Gideon would start to “live by faith and not by sight” ().

And that is what is happening to Gideon. Now the narrator gives us some information that Gideon doesn’t know. He said the “angel of the LORD” appeared to Gideon in v.11. Gideon doesn’t know if this is an angle or a prophet. There are hundreds of verses in the Bible that when an angle or the LORD himself appear to a person, there is always a statement from the supernatural being that says, “do not fear” or “do not be afraid.” And because that is not said here, we can draw the conclusion that the LORD has a reason to hide this image from Gideon - for the moment. It very well may be so that Gideon would start to “live by faith and not by sight” ().

But this supernatural being is not just an angel, it is a manifestation of the LORD himself. Now sometimes in the Bible the angel of the LORD is a messenger of the Lord – an angelic being. The Hebrew word ‘Malak” shouldn’t always be assumed to mean an angel. It literally means an officially authorized spokesperson for the supreme being. Sometimes this is an angel who speaks to the LORD and sometimes, as is the case here, it is a manifestation of the LORD himself.

But this supernatural being is not just an angel, it is a manifestation of the LORD himself. Now sometimes in the Bible, the angel of the LORD is a messenger of the Lord – an angelic being. The Hebrew word ‘Malak” shouldn’t always be assumed to mean an angel. It literally means an officially authorized spokesperson for the supreme being. Sometimes this is an angel who speaks to the LORD and sometimes, as is the case here, it is a manifestation of the LORD himself.

Let me prove this to you.

In verses 11 and 12 the narrator identifies Him as the angle of the LORD, but this is to just bring recognition to a visible image of the invisible God. Where else in the Bible have we heard that statement made? - maybe where Paul said that of Jesus. Notice in verses 14 and 16 when this supernatural being spoke, the Bible says, the LORD spoke, that is Yahweh himself was standing there speaking. Let me say this another way, this is what theologians call a “theophany.” In other words, it is the second person of the Trinity who appears in human form before he took on flesh. The Bible teaches that there is only one true God, but he is a Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When the LORD appears in physical form in the Bible as himself it is the eternal Son of God. We know it can’t be the Father or the Spirit because tells us that “No one has ever seen God.” In other words, this is Jesus before he took on flesh. tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

In verses 11 and 12, the narrator identifies Him as the angle of the LORD, but this is to just bring recognition to a visible image of the invisible God. Where else in the Bible have we heard that statement made? - maybe where Paul said that of Jesus. Notice in verses 14 and 16 when this supernatural being spoke, the Bible says, the LORD spoke, that is Yahweh himself was standing there talking. Let me say this another way, this is what theologians call a “theophany.” In other words, it is the second person of the Trinity who appears in human form before he took on flesh. The Bible teaches that there is only one true God, but he is a Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When the LORD appears in physical form in the Bible as himself, it is the eternal Son of God. We know it can’t be the Father or the Spirit because tells us that “No one has ever seen God.” In other words, this is Jesus before he took on flesh. tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

In verses 11 and 12 the narrator identifies Him as the angle of the LORD, but this is to just bring recognition to a visible image of the invisible God. Where else in the Bible have we heard that statement made? - maybe where Paul said that of Jesus. Notice in verses 14 and 16 when this supernatural being spoke, the Bible says, the LORD spoke, that is Yahweh himself was standing there speaking. Let me say this another way, this is what theologians call a “theophany.” In other words, it is the second person of the Trinity who appears in human form before he took on flesh. The Bible teaches that there is only one true God, but he is a Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When the LORD appears in physical form in the Bible as himself it is the eternal Son of God. We know it can’t be the Father or the Spirit because tells us that “No one has ever seen God.” In other words, this is Jesus before he took on flesh. tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Therefore, as our LORD and Savior spoke to Gideon he was commissioning Gideon to do the very thing his name says he is; notice what it says in v.12 ff

12 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

That is, the LORD calls Gideon not by what Gideon is showing his character to be but by what the LORD intends your character to be. Look at Gideon’s response. But first I want you to understand that lord in lowercase means: “master or possessor/owner” it is a term of respect towards authority, but when it is in all capital letters it is referring to the incommunicable name of the ultimate authority, the creator of the universe. So, look at Gideon’s reason and response.

13 And Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

14 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

15 And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Do you hear it, he is asking the same question that many of us ask today? Even though we gather together as church folk, and we know the truth about who God is, and what he has done (to the point that we memorize the Word and all the creeds); we go through the motions, but we still find all this past evidence irrelevant in our lives. We will say, “Where is God and why am I in these situations if God is for me?” But because we are so focused on our situation and our problem instead of God’s purpose we are manipulating ourselves and missing the divine call.

Even though the LORD sent a prophet to speak to Gideon and all his family, resulting in the angel of the LORD appearing to Gideon, he was to focus on himself and his situation to recognize that the LORD himself – not an angle, not a prophet – was speaking with him. Furthermore, Gideon wouldn’t shut up long enough to hear what the LORD said to him.

The Lord was focusing on who Gideon is and what the LORD is going to do through him, namely, deliver Israel out of their suffering. But Gideon didn’t hear it; he was situationally focused, instead of God-centered focus. This shows how fear can lead to failure. Let me say it another way, Speaking in the presence of Divine council stops you from seeing and hearing Divine guidance.

Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen to what God is saying. We can’t hear his direction if we are running at the gums, complaining about everything. Talking about what we think is going on. Trying to give God advise on how he should use his divine power to fix our situation. Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen,

Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen to what God is saying. We can’t hear his direction if we are running at the gums, complaining about everything. Talking about what we think is going on. Trying to give God advice on how he should use his divine power to fix our situation. Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen,

Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen to what God is saying. We can’t hear his direction if we are running at the gums, complaining about everything. Talking about what we think is going on. Trying to give God advise on how he should use his divine power to fix our situation. Sometimes we need to just shut up and listen,

Look at what Gideon couldn’t hear. V. 12 the LORD calls him “O mighty man of valor” and then it was almost like the LORD ignored all Gideon’s complaining and in v. 14 he says,

14 “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”

In v.16 he says

16 “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”

Now look there are two ways you can see this passage – the right way and the wrong way. You could see God as encouraging his people with the power of positivity. Telling Gideon his name means mighty warrior and he needs to stop focusing on the negative and focus on the positive. That his attitude determines his altitude. And Gideon needs to go in this positive power.

Now look there are two ways you can see this passage – the right way and the wrong way. You could see God as encouraging his people with the power of positivity. Telling Gideon his name means mighty warrior, and he needs to stop focusing on the negative and focus on the positive. That his attitude determines his altitude. And Gideon needs to go in this positive power.

Or you can see it as it really is; the LORD is saying stop talking and worrying about your situation. Your fear is leading you to failure. I am about to deliver you out of the hands of your enemies. Now go O mighty man of Valor not in your might but by my might. Is it not I who send you—in my power? Your hands will be my hands. Your feet will be my feet. Your strength will be my strength. The LORD is telling Gideon I will make you a thresher of men in my power not your power, just like he told the disciples 1200 years later that they would be fishers of men (). In other words, God encourages his people by identifying them by their correct identity not by how you see yourself. God dwells with his people. He walks with his people. He empowers his people, for his purpose and glory.

Or you can see it as it really is; the LORD is saying stop talking and worrying about your situation. Your fear is leading you to failure. I am about to deliver you out of the hands of your enemies. Now go O mighty man of Valor not in your might but by my might. Is it not I who send you—in my power? Your hands will be my hands. Your feet will be my feet. Your strength will be my strength. The LORD is telling Gideon I will make you a thresher of men in my power, not your power, just like he told the disciples 1200 years later that they would be fishers of men (). In other words, God encourages his people by identifying them by their correct identity not by how you see yourself. God dwells with his people. He walks with his people. He empowers his people, for his purpose and glory.

Or you can see it as it really is; the LORD is saying stop talking and worrying about your situation. Your fear is leading you to failure. I am about to deliver you out of the hands of your enemies. Now go O mighty man of Valor not in your might but by my might. Is it not I who send you—in my power? Your hands will be my hands. Your feet will be my feet. Your strength will be my strength. The LORD is telling Gideon I will make you a thresher of men in my power not your power, just like he told the disciples 1200 years later that they would be fishers of men (). In other words, God encourages his people by identifying them by their correct identity not by how you see yourself. God dwells with his people. He walks with his people. He empowers his people, for his purpose and glory.

Now I can just imagine the look on Gideon’s face as he started to wonder who it was that he was speaking with. The questions that he would have started to come into his mind: Is this just a man or could this be an angel, who is this that is telling me I can deliver my people out of the hands of our enemies - in his might? Could this be the LORD himself? Fear would have started to enter Gideon’s heart. If this is the LORD how have I not been destroyed (no one can see God and live) but if this is the LORD and he has allowed me to live and be in his presence, I don’t want him to leave me. What can I do to keep him here?

Now I can just imagine the look on Gideon’s face as he started to wonder who it was that he was speaking with. The fear that would have started to cultivate inside of Gideon. The questions that he would have started to ponder. Is this just a man or could this be an angel, who is this that is telling me I can deliver my people out of the hands of our enemies - in his might? Could this be the LORD himself? Gideon would have been thinking I am afraid this person or whatever it is would leave and will no longer be with me. What can I do to keep him here?

Now I can just imagine the look on Gideon’s face as he started to wonder who it was that he was speaking with. The questions that he would have started to come into his mind: Is this just a man or could this be an angel, who is this that is telling me I can deliver my people out of the hands of our enemies - in his might? Could this be the LORD himself? Fear would have started to enter Gideon’s heart. If this is the LORD how have I not been destroyed (no one can see God and live) but if this is the LORD and he has allowed me to live and be in his presence, I don’t want him to leave me. What can I do to keep him here?

Reflecting on everything the LORD said to him, Gideon has the idea to present the LORD with an offering. Now remember, Gideon didn’t realize this was God himself, but he was starting to see something different about the look and words of this man. So, he thought, if this was just a man and I offer him a meal (or a meat offering) it’ll become evident that he is a man if he sits and eats it, but if this is a divine being something else will happen.

Reflecting on everything the LORD said to him, Gideon has the idea to present the LORD with an offering. Now, remember, Gideon didn’t realize this was God himself, but he was starting to see something different about the look and words of this man. So, he thought, if this was just a man and I offer him a meal (or a meat offering) it’ll become evident that he is a man if he sits and eats it, but if this is a divine being something else will happen.

Therefore in v.17 Gideon as for a sign to prove that he has found favor in the eyes of the LORD and for the LORD to not leave until Gideon returned with a present for the LORD – the LORD agreed. So, Gideon went and prepared a huge meal for an offering. You’ve gotta understand, he is preparing a whole goat for one man, and he used a whole ephah worth of flour to make the bread. According to an ephah is big enough to hold a person in it.

Therefore in v.17 Gideon as for a sign to prove

Therefore in v.17 Gideon as for a sign to prove that he has found favor in the eyes of the LORD and for the LORD to not leave until Gideon returned with a present for the LORD – the LORD agreed. So, Gideon went and prepared a massive meal for an offering. You’ve gotta understand, he is preparing a whole goat for one man, and he used an entire ephah worth of flour to make the bread. According to an ephah is big enough to hold a person in it.

That amount of bread would have feed the 5000 people that Jesus feeds 1200 years later.

That amount of bread would have feed the 5000 people that Jesus feed 1200 years later.

After Gideon was done preparing the food, he gathered it all up and put the meat, bread, and broth in separate containers and presented it to the LORD.

After Gideon was done preparing the food he gathered it all up and put the meat, bread and broth in separate containers and presented it to the LORD.

Understand, up to this point, Gideon’s fear was leading to disobedience. He was focused on his situation, instead of having God centered focused, but this was all about to change Starting in v.20

Understand, up to this point, Gideon’s fear was leading to disobedience. He was focused on his situation, instead of having God-centered focused, but this was all about to change Starting in v.20

Understand, up to this point, Gideon’s fear was leading to disobedience. He was focused on his situation, instead of having God centered focused, but this was all about to change Starting in v.20

20 God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them.” And he did so.

21 Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.

This reminds me of the Story of Jacob not even realizing he was wrestling with God (). Well, Gideon was wrestling with the day to day fears of life and not focusing on God. Is this something that you wrestle with?

Gideon had his sign. This was indeed the Creator of the Universe, the Covenant God of his fathers that was standing right in front of him and he didn’t even realize it. But once he did, fear would have pierced into him for two reasons. The first reason would have been because he saw God was afraid to be destroyed. V. 23 tells us,

Gideon had his sign. This was indeed the Creator of the Universe, the Covenant God of his fathers that was standing right in front of him and he didn’t even realize it. But once he did, fear would have pierced into him for two reasons. The first reason would have been because he seen God was afraid to be destroyed. V. 23 tells us,

23 the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.”

24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace.

So, not only did the LORD reassure Gideon that he would not be destroyed, but gave him the faith to worship him. In other words, God will consume your fear and doubt by giving you the faith to obediently fear him.

Gideon now sees that he has found favor in the eyes of the LORD. And he understands that Fear can lead to failure or faith. Although this has all happened so fast, he is looking back at everything that the LORD just said to him. The LORD told Gideon that He would be with him; so, go and save his people from their enemies. He called Gideon a mighty man of valor. Gideon would have been putting all the pieces together. When Gideon recognized this was the LORD himself, he called him LORD GOD which is “Yahweh Elohim.” Elohim (GOD) means fullness of might. So, Gideon knows this is Yahweh, the Mighty Deliverer who will be with Gideon as he goes out to defeat his enemies. And this is the second reason and type of fear that would have pierced into the heart of Gideon. This is the type of fear that leads to faith. This is what is meant by the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (). In other words, Fearing Divine separation over mortal manipulation covers you in righteous fear.

Gideon now sees that he has found favor in the eyes of the LORD. And he understands that Fear can lead to failure or faith. Although this has all happened so fast, he is looking back at everything that the LORD just said to him. The LORD told Gideon that He would be with him; so, go and save his people from their enemies. He called Gideon a mighty man of valor. Gideon would have been putting all the pieces together. When Gideon recognized this was the LORD himself he called him LORD GOD which is “Yahweh Elohim.” Elohim (GOD) means fullness of might. So, Gideon knows this is Yahweh the Mighty Deliverer who will be with Gideon as he goes out to defeat his enemies. And this is the second reason and type of fear that would have pierced into the heart of Gideon. This is the type of fear that leads to faith. This is what is meant by the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (). In other words, Fearing Divine separation over mortal manipulation covers you in righteous fear.

So, where does righteous fear come from? It comes from fearing the separation from the LORD more than the suffering of man.

This Fear-driven faith leads you to freedom from your folly, because the Lord gives you opportunities to use your gifts.

This Fear-driven faith leads you to freedom from your folly because the Lord gives you opportunities to use your gifts.

The same night that this all happened to Gideon the LORD spoke to him again and was giving him a command that needed to be taken care of before Gideon could go to battle. If Gideon was going to deliver his people from the hands of their enemies he had to first save them from their sins. You see, Israel was no longer worshipping the LORD they were worshiping the gods of the land of the people they feared.

Therefore, Gideon was told to not only to tear down the altar of the of Baal but also the Asherah that was beside it. This was a pole-like image. An Asherah operated as the female companion to Baal in this sexually driven religion. After the altar of this false god was destroyed Gideon was to use the wood from the Asherah to sacrifice the bull as a sin offering for his people. Although, he was afraid of the people of the town he did as the LORD commanded.

What is there in your life that you fear to do (or not doing) that you put in front of your relationship with Jesus and his church? Challenge my audience to look at their life while analyzing a list of priorities they put in front of their relationship with Jesus and his church - out of fear of completion).

Fear-driven faith leads you to freedom from your folly, because the Lord gives you opportunities to use your gifts and because the Lord will work through you to cultivate a wakeup call to the multitudes.

After Gideon tore down the altars of the false gods that his family and townsman were worshiping most of them wanted to kill him. But Gideon’s father (who owned the property and the altar) recognized what was happening. He convinced everyone that if Baal was a god he could contend for himself they have no need to save their false god. This caused the people to see they have been doing evil in the sight of the LORD. Likewise, because of what Gideon did his father and the townspeople recognized that the LORD had answered their supplications and was going to put an end to their suffering but to bring them to salvation he had to make a way to end their sin.

After Gideon tore down the altars of the false gods that his family and townsman were worshiping most of them wanted to kill him. But Gideon’s father (who owned the property and the altar) recognized what was happening. He convinced everyone that if Baal was a god he could contend for himself they have no need to save their false god. This caused the people to see they have been doing evil in the sight of the LORD. Likewise, because of what Gideon did, his father and the townspeople recognized that the LORD had answered their supplications and was going to put an end to their suffering but to bring them to salvation he had to make a way to end their sin.

Fear can lead to failure or faith; therefore, fearing divine separation over mortal manipulation covers you in a righteous fear. Consequently, fear-driven faith leads you to freedom from your folly.

Let me say it another way.

There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end, leads to suffering () , but by the mighty hand of the LORD you will be delivered to freedom. Use this to connect to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, who appears in the text to deliver his people out of their sin.

There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end, leads to suffering (), but by the mighty hand of the LORD you will be delivered to freedom. Use this to connect to the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Eternal Son of God, who appears in the text to deliver his people out of their sin.

Fear Delivered Freedom

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