In The Strength You Have

Judges 6:1–6 NLT

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

State: This was the state of Israel:

Working for food but having it stolen from them

Why? - A prophet tells them

Judges 6:7–10 NLT

When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt. I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land. I told you, ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.’ But you have not listened to me.”

In spite of their disobedience - God answers and wants to help them

One commentator explains what we learn about God’s character in this.

Judges Chapter 6

If we forsook God in our prosperity it would be reasonable that God should forsake us in our need. But he does not deal with us according to our sins. Our claim does not lie in our merit, in our obedience and fidelity, in anything of ours, but in his nature, and character, and conduct. Because God is our Father he hears us not out of consideration for our rights, but out of pity for our distresses. Therefore we need not fear that he will not respond to our call.

The commentator uses Jeremiah 29:11-13 to further display this character of God

Jeremiah 29:11–13 NLT

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

The angel said they were in disobedience…but Gideon ignores it and jumps into a question

Judges 6:12–14 NIV

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

Gideon ignores the “mighty Warrior” comment and goes into a complaint

The angel ignores the complaint and commissions Gideon

The Gideon ask for the first sign:

Judges 6:15–17 NLT

“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.” Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the Lord speaking to me.

Gideon makes a meat & bread offering and the angel made it disappear in flames.

So he knows the angel is real

Then he obeys God and breaks down the altar of Baal and defies his town and father.

Gideon had to take care of the issue that was at the root of their oppression

God revealed it to him and came and showed him what he had to do - Tear down the altar

Are there things in our lives that need to be torn down

Are there things that we need to get rid of or realize?

Allow God to show it to you now...

So in the strength that he had - he went and tore down the altar to Baal

Verses 24-27 describe him pulling down the Baal altar and created an altar to the Lord

Then something interesting happen - God’s power took over

Judges 6:34 NLT

Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.

Gideon did what was a physically easy thing in his own strength - tearing down an altar

Then God’s power came in to route the enemy.

Fleeces

God allowed all of the fleeces Gideon required to do what God wanted him to do

God knows what we are, how we are and what we need to do his will

God was strengthening Gideon’s courage

David talks about this “supernatural” strength

Psalm 18:32 NLT

God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.

Psalm 18:39 NLT

You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.

Next Week....

Reduced The Army