Midian And Gideon

Gideon - Mighty Warrior

Judges 6:1 HCSB

The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years,

God permits satan to afflict His people when they go astray.

Judges 6:1–3 HCSB

The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years, and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Qedemites came and attacked them.

He’ll allow us to go through things until we find His Way is better than our way.

Judges 6:2–3 KJV 1900

And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

Three Strategies Of The Enemy

Judges 6:1

Enemies of Israel (Prince With God)

MIDIAN - strife; contention; contender

AMALEK - exhaust; people that lick up

Three results of

Because of’s....

Oppressed because of the Midianites vs. 2

poverty stricken because of Midian vs. 6

poverty stricken because of Midian vs. 6

People cried in pain caused by Midian vs. 7

People cried in pain caused by Midian vs. 7

Defeating Midian

Questioning God - Don’t do it

Judges 6:13-14

Judges 6:13–14 KJV 1900

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. 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?

Let it be settled in your heart. He is God.

Have I not sent thee?

Excuses - No More Excuses

Judges 6:15–16 KJV 1900

And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house. And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

He’s not measuring your call by natural measures.

Say to someone “I’m not good at making excuses.” (Reason why I can’t do something)

We can’t do it really means I haven’t learned to do it YET!

---Man who broke the 4 min. mile.

Developing the Leader within You The Leader’s Attitude Helps Determine the Attitudes of the Followers

Roger Bannister broke the four–minute mile, thirty–seven other runners broke the four–minute mile. The year after that three hundred runners broke the four–minute mile. And a few years ago in a single race in New York, thirteen out of thirteen runners broke the four–minute mile. In other words, a few decades ago the runner who finished dead last in the New York race would have been regarded as having accomplished the impossible.

Searching For Signs - They’re supposed to be following you.

Judges 6:17–18 KJV 1900

And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign -

These signs shall follow them that believe -

An evil and adulterous generation demands a sign -

Acceptance And Acknowledgement Of God - Worship

Judges 6:20 KJV 1900

And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Judges 6:20 KJV 1900

And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Judges 6:22–23 KJV 1900

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.