Gideon – Victory in Weakness
I. Victory in weakness – Judges 7
Here we are in Judges chapter 7 summary; it began with Gideon, now known as Jerubbaal. He prepared to attack the Midianites with his army. God let’s him know he has too many men in his army; they may believe they conquered Midian on their own strength and numbers.
God orders Gideon to send some men home. Jerubbaal was left with ten thousand, which God still thought was too much. More were sent home! The Lord then used an exercise to get rid of some more; so his army was down to three hundred men. God was content with this number (similar number Abram had when he went to recapture his nephew Lot in Genesis 14:14).
The Midianites were like the sand of the sea in number, so Jerubbaal was still slightly afraid. God had to strengthen him by letting him hear the conversation the Midianites were having where God had given a dream to prepare the way.
Key Passage: “ [Jdg 7:13-14 NLT] 13 Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, "I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!" 14 His companion answered, "Your dream can mean only one thing--God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!"
The Midianites were scared of Jerubbaal, and this gave him confidence to attack. He broke his three hundred men into three companies and gave them each a trumpet, empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.
The broke the pitchers while shouting, “the sword of the Lord, and of Gideon,” and Midian was fearful. The Midianites began fighting each other and they also fled. Captured were two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; they were both killed.
Big Idea: [2Co 12:9-10 NLT] 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Key Question: Are you depending on your own strength or God’s strength for the victory?
1. Our salvation is all HIS grace and not our works.
2. Only when we see our weakness do we become thankful and love the Lord.
3. We grow in our Christian faith when we recognize “we can’t” but “He can!”
II. Gideon seeking glory for God’s victory – Judges Chapter 8
This chapter began with the children of Ephraim. They were upset with Gideon because he did not call them, initially, to the battle. Fortunately, and unfortunately, some people really enjoy a good fight, battle, or war. Gideon settled their frustration; he also continued to pursue the kings of Midian, namely Zebah and Zalmunna. Gideon asked the men of a town named Succoth to provide food for his small army. They refused, and they demanded he first captures the kings of Midian. This was a way of saying, “finish the work, then get bread.” It also screamed, “we don’t think you can do it.”
Gideon, wasn’t happy about that and responded by saying, ‘when God delivers these kings to me, I will come back and tear your flesh apart.” Gideon proceeded to ask another neighboring town, the village of Penuel, and they said the same thing as Succoth. Gideon responded that he would break down their towers when he returned in victory. So far Midian had lost 120,000 men in the battle against Gideon, most of the damage was from the LORD, entangling them to war with themselves. Gideon then captured the two kings of Midian and paid a return visit to the men of Succoth and Penuel. He taught the men of Succoth not to doubt him or the LORD. He tortured 77 princes and elders and destroyed the men of Penuel as well. This was not a justified war for God had not called him to attack these people.
After this, the men of Israel requested Gideon to become their ruler. He refused and responded that God the LORD would rule over them. All Gideon wanted was the golden earrings the Ishmaelites (Midian) wore to make a ephod (sleeveless garment). But he acts like a priest and king.
Key Passage: [Jdg 8:27 NLT] 27 Gideon made a sacred ephod from the gold and put it in Ophrah, his hometown. But soon all the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping it, and it became a trap for Gideon and his family.
The end result, Israel had peace for 40 years while Gideon was alive. The chapter ended with the downfall of his (Gideon) household. Gideon had many wives that produced 70 sons for him. He had one son named Abimelech (My father is king) from a concubine. Gideon died a good old age and Israel went back to worship Baal, forsaking the God who just delivered them through the hands of Gideon. Further, Israel didn’t even show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) for all he did for Israel.
Big Idea: [1Co 3:6 NLT] 6 I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.
Are there aspects of your life and work you think you should get more recognition and honor for from people? How will the gospel of grace help you deal well with your successes?