Posts Tagged ‘midian’


Under Gods Command
Gideon

 Judges 8:22-23 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son and your grandson – because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.”  But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you.  The LORD will rule over you.”

 The people wanted to make Gideon their King but Gideon stressed that the LORD was to rule over them.  Despite his inconsistencies, Gideon never lost sight of the importance for both a nation and an individual of putting God first. 

 Let’s Bring It Home: Is God first in your life?  If he is, he must affect every dimension of your life not just what you do in church. 


Under Gods Command
Gideon

Judges 8:4-9 Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.  He said to the men of Succoth,  “Give my troops some bread; they are worn out, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” But the officials of Succoth said, “Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession?  Whey should we give bread to your troops?”  Then Gideon replied, “Just for that, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with desert thorns and briers.”  From there he went up to Peniel and made the same request of them, but they answered as the men of Succoth had.  So he said to the men of Peniel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower.”

The leaders of Succoth and Peniel refused to help Gideon, probably fearing Midian’s revenge should he fail (Gideon’s army was 300 men chasing 15,000).  They should have realized that victory was certain because God was with Gideon.  But they were so worried about saving themselves that they never thought about God’s power to save.

Lets bring it home: Because of fear for ourselves, we may not recognize God’s presence in other people and therefore miss God’s victory.  Then we must face the often bitter consequences of failing to join forces with those God has chosen to do his work.  Because God will prevail with or without you, be quick to join others who are engaged in his work.  Lend support with your time, money, talents, and prayer.


Under Gods Command
Gideon defeats the Midianites

Judges 7:02 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands.  In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.  But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men.  Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there.  If I say, this one shall go with you, he shall go, but if I say this one shall not go with you, he shall not go.  So Gideon took the men down to the water.  There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths.  All the rest got down on their knees to drink.  The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.  Let all the other men go, each to his own place. 

Self-sufficiency is a handicap when it causes us to believe we can do what needs to be done in our own strength.  To prevent this attitude among Gideon’s soldiers, God reduced their number from 32,000 to 300.  With an army this vastly outnumbered there could be no doubt that victory was from God.  The men could not take the credit.

Lets bring it home:  Like Gideon, we must recognize the danger of fighting in our own strength.  We can be confident of victory against life’s challenges and temptations only if we put our confidence in God and not ourselves.