How Are We To Live Our Lives – Like Gideon
(Judges 6: )
Introduction:
How are we to live our lives? That is the question that we have been considering for several evening services.
Thus far we have considered…
1. Paul who said in Philippians 3, “I follow after,” and then he said “(I am) forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
2. We have considered the psalmist who said in Psalms 121:1, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.”
3. We have already considered Hebrews 11, where we are told in verse 8 that “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”
4. We have considered Genesis 5 where we are twice told that “Enoch walked with God” (vs. 22, 24).
5. We have considered 2 Chronicles 19:3, where the prophet Jehu said to Jehoshaphat, “There are good things found in thee, in that thou … hast prepared thine heart to seek God.”
6. We have considered Hebrews 11:23-28 where Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”
7. We have considered Daniel 6 where Daniel was communing with God at all times, even when his continued devotion to God threatened his life.
8. James 5:11 says, “Ye have heard of the patience of Job,” and as we considered the book of Job we talked about his patience and how through all of the trials in his life, God brought Job into a closer relationship with Himself.
Tonight our subject is Gideon, and the exemplary point of Gideon’s life is that he stood firm even when his friends were few in number, and even when he felt inadequate within himself to do anything for God.
The first time I ever remember hearing a sermon about Gideon was nearly thirty years ago. And one of the reasons I remember it was because the preacher was preaching a whole revival meeting using Gideon as focal point. He called the series on Gideon, “Little Is Much When God Is In It.” And throughout the week, he kept reminding us of the song “Little Is Much” which says…
In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! The voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.
Chorus:
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ Name.
He kept reminding us of how that idea fit Gideon’s life so well.
I. Let’s Notice The Times Of This Man Named Gideon
The main narrative of Judges is remarkable for a striking fourfold emphasis, which it sustains throughout. The six apostasies, servitudes, and deliverances are each set out in this quadruple order: (Account of Gideon gives us the 4th episode of apostasy.)
A. There Was A Time Of Sinning Judges 6:1
(Judges 6:1) And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
B. There Was A Time Of Suffering Judges 6:2-6a
(Judges 6:2-6) And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. {3} And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; {4} And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. {5} For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. {6} And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
1. Israel Was Invaded
2. Israel Was Impoverished vs. 6 – “impoverished” means to be oppressed and emptied
C. There Was A Time Of Supplication Judges 6:6b
(Judges 6:6) And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
1. We Sense The Desperation Of Their Cry
cried – Hebrew 2199. za'aq; a primary root word meaning to shriek (from anguish or danger).
2. We See The Direction Of Their Cry unto the Lord
D. There Was A Time Of Salvation Judges 6:7-10
(Judges 6:7-10) And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, {8} That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; {9} And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; {10} And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
1. We See That God Responded when (they) cried … the LORD sent a prophet
2. We See That God Rebuked ye have not obeyed my voice
(From Explore the Book)
II. Let’s Notice The Timidity Of This Man Named Gideon
A. Here Is A Man Who Is Scared
Gideon’s name means “warrior” or “one who cuts down or destroys.”
1. But He Has A Fear Of The Destroyers Judges 6:11
“Gideon, the fifth judge of Israel, is rightly counted as one of the outstanding heroes in Israel's early history. Yet we need to realize at the outset that his heroism was not a product of his natural make-up, but the outcome of a transforming spiritual experience. It is this which gives him a living significance to ourselves today. When first we see Gideon he cuts a pathetic figure of unbelief (6:11-23). He is a furtive, nervous young man secretly threshing wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the marauding Midianites. What pathetic exclamations of unbelief escape his lips when the Lord suddenly appears.”
(J. Sidlow Baxter)
2. He Has A Fear Of The Divine and of Death Judges 6:22
3. He Has A Fear Of Daddy (and the Brethren) 6:25-27
4. He Has A Fear That Is Discernible 7:9-10
B. Here Is A Man Who Is Skeptical 6:13,17, 36-40
1. He Is Doubtful Of The Lord’s Presence 6:13
2. He Is Doubtful Of The Lord’s Power 6:17
3. He Is Doubtful Of The Lord’s Promise 6:36-40
C. Here Is A Man Who Is Small Judges 6:15
1. His Is A Poor Family my family is poor
2. His Is A Paltry Tribe in Manasseh
(Manasseh – a half tribe whose name means, “causing to forget”)
3. His Is A Pitiful Position least in my father’s house
4. His Is Even A Poor Type Judges 7:13-14
D. Here Is A Man Who Is Selected Judges 6:12
1. God Determined That Gideon Had Capability 6:12 - mighty
gibbor – OT:1368, powerful; by implication Warrior, tyrant - “hero.” This word appears 159 times in the Old Testament. The first occurrence of gibbor is in Genesis 6:4: “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” In the context of battle, the word is better understood to refer to the category of warriors. The gibbor is the proven warrior; especially is this true when gibbor is used in combination with chayil (“strength”). The KJV gives a literal translation, “mighty men [gibbor] of valor [chayil].” The phrase gibbor chayil may also refer to a man of a high social class, the landed man who had military responsibilities. (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
2. God Determined That Gideon Had Courage valour
3. God Determined That Gideon Had A Companion The Lord is with thee
III. Let’s Notice The Triumph Of This Man Named Gideon
A. Consider The Odds Of His Triumph Judges 7:1-7
B. Consider The Oddity Of His Triumph Judges 7:15-22
C. Consider The Overwhelming Aspect Of His Triumph Judges 7:23-25; 8:22-23
Conclusion:
Doubt sees the obstacles, Faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darksome night, Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take the step, Faith soars on high.
Doubt whispers, “Who believes?” Faith answers - “I.”
(From Explore the Book.)