Judges: Grace and Disgrace

Starting Low

Absolute subjegation - 6:1-6

Clear disobedience - 6:7-10

Gideon’s Calling - 6:11-27

Starting at home - 6:28-35

State of churches often can be traced to clear disobedience

Judges 3:7 ESV

And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth.

Judges 6:1 ESV

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.

Gideon had to being with his own father; so might we

1 Peter 4:16–17 ESV

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

What are the sins of our own fathers that need tearing down no less than that altar to Baal?

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

ps

When I read the opening of the story of Gideon, I see a mirror for our people. I see so many clear reasons why we are so defeated. I see a very needed and sobering call to stop looking outside, and start looking inward.

What have we lost?

What have we disregarded?

What have we cast away?

What of our God have we forgotten as a people?

Carried High by Grace

The fleece - 6:36-40

This is a description; not a prescription

Gideon had met Jesus, yet needed assurance

Judges 6:22 ESV

Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.”

In all this, God condescended; He gave Gideon what he needed to be strong

Moses and Aaron Ex 4

The Few - 7:1-8

32,000 Men

Judges 7:2 ESV

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’

Judges 7:2–3 ESV

The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’ ” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

10,000 Men

Judges 7:6 ESV

And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.

Judg 7:

300 Men

The Gryphon: "They come your highness, in numbers and weapons far greater then our own."

Oreius: "Numbers do not win a battle."

Peter: “No, but I bet they help.”

Psalm 147:10 ESV

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

The Dream - 7:9-18

Judges 7:13–14 ESV

When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”

Judges 8:10 ESV

Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all who were left of all the army of the people of the East, for there had fallen 120,000 men who drew the sword.

In all these, God strengthened Gideon and Israel, and gave them victory

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gideon the

Falling in Disgrace

The King? - 8:22-23

A dynasty is offered

A false humility

The Tribute - 8:24-26

The Snare - 8:27-28

What is the difference in the God of chapters 6 & 7 to the God of chapter 8?

What is the difference in the God of history and the God of today?

May God use the failures of Israel to awaken us to our own faults. May God use the victories given to Gideon to lead us to praise for grace and true victory in Jesus. May God use the fall of Gideon to warn us to be vigilant, and grant us perseverance and faithfulness.