Faint, Yet Pursuing

Text: Judges 8:1-7

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (01/27/02)

Introduction:   

Tell the story of Gideon’s pursuit of the Midianite kings/chiefs, Zeebah & Zalmunnah.  From the initial victory at Jezreel until Gideon’s ultimate triumphant return with the captured kings.

“Faint, yet pursuing” – What a tremendous picture for the Christian life!!  Having a multiplicity of applications.

1). Pursuit of a life separated unto God.

Philippians 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

2). Pursuit of a living relationship with God

Psalms 42:1-2  As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

2  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

3). Pursuit of productive spiritual service.

Galatians 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Psalms 126:5-6  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

4). Daily pursuit of applied Biblical living.

EXAMPLES:  (and there are many)

Parenting / Marriage / Witness / Attitudes / Victory over besetting sin ie Anger / Fruit of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace

What is characteristic of a believer who possesses this quality?

I. Right Response to Criticism vs.1-3

Explain the position and prominence of Ephraim in Israel.

Now they were jealous, offended.

They were a people used to having their own way.

They criticize Gideon, not objectively, but coloured by their bruised pride.

Gideon Answered them in Humility

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

Do not respond in kind to your critics and enemies.

Don’t answer criticism w/ criticism – anger w/ anger – flesh w/ flesh!!

Matt 5 – Turn the other cheek.

II. Refusal to be turned aside by Opposition vs.4-9

As he pursues the retreating Miodianites, Gideon is opposed in two cities by his Israelite brethren.

A. Rejection at Succoth vs.5-7

Gideon’s request was simple, reasonable and in keeping with God’s will.

The Princes of Succoth were motivated by self-preservation and political expedience (EXPLAIN) and not by faith. 

Their rejection of Gideon was a rejection of God’s plan.

God abhors such a response.

Isaiah 5:15  And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:

James 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Gideon promised recompense for their lack of cooperation/opposition.

“Some commentators have severely criticized Gideon for his handling of the Gadites who refused to help him and his men.

Yet Gideon carefully distinguished between the townspeople and their leaders.  His quarrel was with the chief men who had shown no loyalty to the Lord.

Both cities should have rallied to his aid.  Instead they did not show compassion and refused to help their own brethren.  They preferred to play political games with the ungodly.  Their punishment was just.”   Barber pg. 106

B. Rejection at Penuel vs.8-9

The same scenario repeats itself here.

Peniel or Penuel – Lit. “Face of God”   It’s History Described in Genesis 32 where Jacob wrestled with the Lord….

Genesis 32:30  And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

III. Great Clarity of Purpose

Gideon and his men were single-minded.

They had one purpose – Capture Zeebah and Zalmunnah, Kings of Midian and bring them to justice.

BERNARD LAW MONTGOMERY, (1887-1976), British field marshal, who was one of the leading Allied commanders of WWII  expressed the principle this way:

“Get your major purpose clear, take off your plate all which hinders that purpose and hold hard to all which helps it, and then go ahead with a clear conscience, courage, sincerity and selflessness.”

Gideon had no ulterior motive.  This is demonstrated in his actions of verse 22-23.

What is the purpose in your Christian life?

Philippians 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

What purpose in your service for God?

What purpose in your marriage/family?

IV. Completion of the Task

He finished the Job!!  -  He fulfilled thoroughly what he set out to do.

He did not lose sight of the goal until he had fought and won the last battle.

ILLUS: King Joash & Elisha’s command to smite the ground with the arrows signifying victory over the Syrians                                    (SEE II Kings 13:14-19)

God will help you to complete the task He sets before you!!!

2 Timothy 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Hebrews 12:1-2  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Conclusion:     (Review)

MAIN POINTS:

I. Right Response to Criticism vs.1-3

II. Refusal to be turned aside by Opposition vs.4-9

III. Great Clarity of Purpose

IV. Completion of the Task

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable;

            Got any mountains you can’t tunnel through?

God specializes in things tho’t impossible;

            He does the things others cannot do!!

Jeremiah 32:17  Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Let us be a people of FAITH (knowledge, belief, trust) COMMITMENT, and PERSEVERANCE