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God Sends the Judges: Gideon. Introduction. Our journey through the judges brings us next to Gideon. After a rest of forty years, the children of Israel once again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As a result, the Lord turned Israel over to the hand of the Midianites.
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Introduction • Our journey through the judges brings us next to Gideon. • After a rest of forty years, the children of Israel once again did evil in the sight of the Lord. As a result, the Lord turned Israel over to the hand of the Midianites. • God would send Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
The Story of Gideon • The Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord. (Judg 6:1-6) • When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord sent a prophet to Israel. (Judg 6:7-10) • An angel of the Lord called Gideon to deliver the people of Israel. (Judg 6:11-24)
The Story of Gideon • The Lord told Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal. (Judg 6:25-32) • The Midianites and Amalekites gathered in the Valley of Jezreel. (Judg 6:33-35) • Before going into battle, Gideon asked twice to see a sign to show that the Lord would save Israel. (Judg 6:36-40)
The Story of Gideon • The Lord told Gideon that there were too many people. (Judg 7:1-8) • The Lord gave Gideon a sign of victory to come. This sign came through the dream of an unnamed individual. (Judg 7:9-14) • Gideon and his 300 men attacked the camp of the Midianites and Amalekites. (Judg 7:15-25)
The Story of Gideon • The men of Ephraim were upset with Gideon for not calling them into the fight. (Judg 8:1-3) • Gideon and his men tried to get some bread from the people of Succoth. (Judg 8:4-9) • Gideon and his men hunted down Zebah and Zalmunna and their armies, about 15,000 men. (Judg 8:10-12)
The Story of Gideon • Gideon punished the cities of Succoth and Penuel. (Judg 8:13-17) • Gideon killed Zebah and Zalmunna. (Judg 8:18-21) • The men of Israel wanted Gideon to rule over them, him and his sons. (Judg 8:22-28)
Lessons Learned • We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God. • Gideon tore down the altar of Baal and the wooden image. He then built an altar to the Lord and offered a sacrifice on the new altar. (Judges 6:21-27)
Lessons Learned • We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God. • There are times when our stand as Christians will not be popular. • Matthew 5:13-16 – be lights in the world.
Lessons Learned • The Lord can give victory by 300. The Lord can give victory by two. • God sent Gideon into battle with only 300 men. (Judg 7:1-25) • With Jesus on our side, we will always have victory. (1 Cor 15:54-57)
Lessons Learned • Let us not create a stumbling block. • Gideon made an ephod of the golden earrings. (Judg 8:22-27) • We must never do anything that could become a stumbling block to the congregation. • Paul's warning. (1 Cor 8:8-13) • In our lives. (1 Cor 6:12)
Conclusion. • Remember . . . • We can proclaim God when everyone else is against God. • The Lord can give victory by 300. The Lord can give victory by two. • Let us not create a stumbling block.