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Gideon Defeats Midian. D. Chaney 11/08. The Call to Arms. Judges 6:33-35 Midian mounts against Israel The Spirit takes control of Gideon He calls the warriors and they respond. You responded well to last week’s call to live in the Spirit. Gideon Asks for a Sign. Judges 6:36-40
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Gideon Defeats Midian D. Chaney 11/08
The Call to Arms • Judges 6:33-35 • Midian mounts against Israel • The Spirit takes control of Gideon • He calls the warriors and they respond You responded well to last week’s call to live in the Spirit
Gideon Asks for a Sign • Judges 6:36-40 • (to God) If you are truly going to use me… • Prove it to me • First Lord Establish Evidence that Convinces me Entirely Don’t hesitate to talk straight with God
FLEECE • Gideon wanted to be sure • God was with Him • F – First • L – Lord • E – Establish • E - Evidence that • C – Convinces me • E - Entirely • God wanted to prove it • to Gideon • God wants to prove • Himself to YOU • What are you willing • to take action on? What evidence are you asking the Lord for?
Too Many Warriors • Judges 7:1-3 • 32,000 is too many warriors • Cuz you’ll boast you did it yourself • The timid may leave • 22,000 were fearful & went home • 10,000 remained Being afraid disqualifies you
Still Too Many Warriors • Judges 7:4-7 • At the spring of water God tested them, by the way they got a drink from it • Those who cup water in their hands • Those who put their mouth in the water Water = the Word of God How you receive the Word of God qualifies you Are you teachable?
300! • Judges 7:7-8,16-18 • 300 were teachable • Each was given a horn, a torch and a jar • They were told to “watch and do as I do” • When I blow the horn, you blow the horn • When I break the jar, you break the jar • We’ll all shout “the sword of the Lord and of Gideon” God needed warriors who could follow His orders and strategy
Surrounding the Enemy • Judges 7:19-20 • The 300 were divided into 3 groups • Each group went to the edge of the Midianite camp • They blew the horns, broke the jars • Held torches in their left hand • Held horns in their right hands • All shouted – “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”
Midian was defeated ! • Panic • Ran to escape • Killed • Fled far away • Gideon’s men chased them away • Gideon called others to come out and cut off Midian • Killed Oreb and Zeeb, • 2 Midianite commanders (and brought their heads to Gideon) Crows & wolfs prey on others. This time, they went down at the hands of the warriors. wolf crow
Unity of the 300! • It was the unity and harmony of the 300 that defeated the Midian army • TOGETHER they blew the horns • TOGETHER they broke the jars • TOGETHER they shouted • TOGETHER they routed the enemy • Judges 7:21-25 Teachable warriors working together defeat the enemy! (and it doesn’t take very many)