Judges: Gideon
Introduction
In fact, the Bible frequently cuts cross-grained to this whole mentality. God usually calls servants, not heroes, and many of his servants simply don’t fit the mold that Madison Avenue has taught us to prize. Gideon is a case in point.
In fact, the Bible frequently cuts cross-grained to this whole mentality. God usually calls servants, not heroes, and many of his servants simply don’t fit the mold that Madison Avenue has taught us to prize. Gideon is a case in point.
The Villain: The Midianites
The Villains
The First Mission: Establish Right Worship
Gideon’s 300 Men
1. The Israelites are harassed and oppressed by marauding bands of Midianites and Amalekites.
2. A reluctant leader, Gideon, emerges to lead the Israelites against these bands.
3. His first significant act, however, is to destroy a Baal cult installation in his father’s backyard, which raises the ire of the people of Ophrah.
4. With a small band of three hundred men Gideon routs the enemy forces.
5. Two leaders, Oreb and Zeeb, are killed in the course of the pursuit, but Zebah and Zalmunnah along with their armies escape across the Jordan.
6. When Gideon asks the residents of Succoth and Penuel the whereabouts of these kings, they refuse to cooperate.
7. Gideon captures the two Midianite kings.
8. On his return from battle Gideon passes through Succoth and Penuel and razes these towns for their previous intransigence.
9. The two kings are slain and their royal accoutrements retained as booty.
10. The kingship is offered to Gideon, but he formally declines the offer, arguing that