Forged In Fire: Judges 6:11-27
Forged in Fire • Sermon • Submitted
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· 905 viewsGideon was weak in faith when God found him. He wouldn't stay that way.
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Show clip from Forged in Fire. Landry and I became hooked on this show.
Iron melts at 2750 degrees F and steel melts at 2500 degrees F.
Forging is one of the oldest known metal working processes.
- You can manufacture the shaping of metal using localized compression forces.
The Lord has opened my eyes to the story of Gideon in the book of Judges.
Gideon was a warrior fo God… But not at 1st. He was just a raw piece of metal when God came to him.
But he was forged into the man that God called him to be.
God wants to do the same thing in your life.
11 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
13 Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
14 The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”
15 He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
16 But the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.”
17 So Gideon said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me.
18 “Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You.” And He said, “I will remain until you return.”
19 Then Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.
20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
22 When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.”
23 The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.”
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 Now on the same night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it;
26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.”
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.
11 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”
13 Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”
14 The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”
15 He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
16 But the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.”
1. God sees strength in people who feel weak. (v. 11-16)
1. God sees strength in people who feel weak. (v. 11-16)
judges 6:11-
Gideon - “one who cuts to pieces”. - The 5th major judge of Israel. A very unwilling volunteer of God.
The beginning of chapter 6 indicated that Israel had done evil in the sight of God and were worshipping the Ashera pole and Baal. Gideon’s own father owned and operated the idols and led in the public worship.
Ophrah was Gideon’s hometown. (16 miles north of Jericho) The Mideonites had completely ravaged the land and his people. They were living in oppressive conditions at the time. Major public distress.
The people were having to be secretive about food production.
Threshing wheat in a winepress by hand was not a normal method and would not have been much food.
An angel of the Lord came. He appeared as a traveler sitting down in the shade.
“Jehovah is with you might warrior”. - What a greeting!
The angel apparently watched Gideon before appearing to him.
He greets him in a way that doesn’t seem to translate to his circumstances.
Gideon’s reaction proved that he didn’t seem himself the way that Angel of the Lord did.
He responded with the feeling of the people in his day. “The Lord has forsaken us. What he did in the past is not happening now.” He must have understood the real reason for Israel’s oppression.
The word “lord” is a generic meaning. Not the term of Lord we would think of.
The word for Lord is the Hebrew word for Yahweh. The divine name for God. It appears that God stepped into the conversation.
There were two supernatural figures in the story. Yahweh was visibly present.
Gideon responded with the regular word for Lord. He realizes that something is different but he didn’t know who he was talking to.
Yahweh’s response proved that He was there to provide assurance to Gideon. He gave the timeless assurance for all those called to the work of the Lord.
The Lord saw Gideon not only as the man that was — sad and weak, but the man that could be — strong, resolute, and courageous.
Have you ever tried to compliment a woman? Or anyone for that reason?
People are either conceited or have terrible self esteem. Both are dangerous.
If I polled you to share what you think is your best attributes, I would assume that you have a tough time telling me.
The common thread I’ve seen in most Christian people is lack of confidence in their faith.
We’ve taught ourselves to assume that God is simply looking down on us because of our decisions in life.
What would you do if God greeted you like Gideon was greeted?
I’m guessing it would be surprising to you.
How do you think God see you?
He’s not looking at who you are without Him. He’s looking at what you can be with Him leading you.
A blacksmith is looking for the proper piece of metal to forge. It’s not the beginning product that moves the blacksmith. It’s the finished product that drives him.
God sees what you are capable of before you do. The enemy doesn’t want you to know that.
17 So Gideon said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me.
18 “Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You.” And He said, “I will remain until you return.”
19 Then Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them.
20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.
21 Then the angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
22 When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.”
23 The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.”
24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
2. God hears people and reveals Himself. (v. 17-24)
2. God hears people and reveals Himself. (v. 17-24)
Gideon’s request was not strange in his culture. In a time when only the law existed, people seeking God often looked for signs when recognizing His work in their life.
To seek this sign, a sacrificial gift was presented, on the acceptance that he hoped to receive a sign. This would show him that the person who appeared to him was really from God.
The type of food accustomed for a guest of honor.
God was patient to allow Gideon to go through this process.
15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.
16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.
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The angel commanded Gideon to lay down the offering and pour broth on it.
The angel touched the food with his staff and fire came out of the rock and consumed the food.
At that moment, the angel was out of sight. Gideon was not alone though.
Gideon recieved the sign he wanted but the miracle filled his soul with fear. It was widely believe in Israel that no man could see God face to face and live.
God assured him that there would be no harm.
The voice of Yahweh comforted him with an inward voice.
Jehovah-shalom, “The Lord is peace”. The alter would not serve as a place of sacrifice, but a memorial of God’s revelation to man.”
The assurance of peace confirmed that Gideon would conquer the Midianites in the strength of God and deliver Israel from its oppressors.
Learning to ride a bike can be very difficult for a child. To place ones weight on the seat, trying to stay balanced, learning to steer, and keeping control of speed is scary if you’ve never done it before. A good teacher is patient and willing to help a child deal with emotional conflict. It’s ridiculous to simply say “get on and ride” without showing patience.
New or underdeveloped Christians can experience anxiety when asked to do something outside of their comfort zone.
Being asked to pray publicly, witnessing to someone, allowing someone to teach us, etc will shake us to the core.
The worst thing I can do as a believer is expect someone to do something without coaching them.
God is patient.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful;
Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
When you have questions to God, ask Him! He can handle it.
He’s calling you. The fear of failure is justified but it’s worse to not even try.
When wanting to take the next step in our faith, we must seek God and ask for Him.
Not what He can give you.
Not what He can do for you.
Not what opportunities He can bring.
Seek God only and look for His face. When you see Him for who He is, that is all that you need.
25 Now on the same night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it;
26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.”
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.
3. God won’t keep you comfortable in your weaknesses.
3. God won’t keep you comfortable in your weaknesses.
Gideon was called within the same day of the miracle to carry out God’s purpose.
He was to destroy his fathers alter to Baal and asherah-idol that was on it.
This was the religious center on his father’s land. The wood of the pole would supply the sacrifice that Gideon would make to Yahweh.
He would use bulls to help pull down the stone alter. Then he would offer the bull as a burnt offering. The reversal of the Midianite/Baal religion would begin at home.
Gideon, despite his reservation obeyed and God did not rebuke him for doing it at night out of fear.
Gideons first assignment was to deny the wishes of his father in the eyes of the unbelieving community.
We often don’t want to think of the hard passages of scripture pertaining to us in our obedience to God. “Deny yourself, take up your cross, let the dead bury their own dead, suffer for my sake.” For many people these realities when acted upon will begin at home.
While God is understanding of your weaknesses and places that need work, He is not satisfied in keeping you there. Over time, you shouldn’t be either.
There comes a point in the life of the believer when God will place you into His forge to melt you. It’s painful and unnatural but the Lord will do what needs to be done in order to make you into an instrument to be used for His purpose.
Comfortable is not a healthy word for the believer who wants God to use them. We have to replace being comfortable with a better word.
Content. If we could learn true contentment, we would be able to understand God’s path for our life.
Is God putting you on assignment?