Judges 8:1-28…
Faint Yet Pursuing
Gideon a man called to fight…deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites
Went against the current of the day, his father’s household, his tribe
Learned you only need a few good men…cannot be too small, can be too big.
Learned who you don’t need…the fearful, unbelieving, the self-indulgent
…and who you need to “retain”.
Learned the “odds” do not matter…. less than 1% of what he started with…300-32,000 vs. 135,000
Learned to worship….the LORD would give the weapons, and the victory…the battle is the LORD’S.
Things learned in the process of leading God’s people…
v.1-3 After a victory…some are offended…the men of Ephraim
Why didn’t you call us?
Safe and secure in the mountains of Ephraim…did not turn a tap.
He didn’t call for good reason… Hos 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
Once it is going good, then they show up…and want credit for making it successful.
They won’t join you while you’re struggling, and fighting.
As the leading tribe, if you will, they should have led, when they don’t and someone else does, they complain about those who do.
Gideon’s victory pricked their pride…conviction…they don’t like it.
Gideon and his men…were victorious but not proud.
What have I done in comparison to you…blowing smoke…yet reminding…God delivered.
Your least (gleanings) are better than our best (vintage)
Prov 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
v.4 After a victory…some are not only, no help, but adversarial
v.4 Gideon and his men…faint, yet pursuing. (faint - human side vs. faith- divine side)
** Understand that one victory, even a major victory…does not mean the battle is over.
The enemy must be “cut off”…or they will return another day.
While pursuing…you will be tried (tested)
Under staffed
Exhausted
Lacking resources
Criticized
Appeals for help…ignored or refused
Eph 6…having done all, stand.
Gideon’s men were faint, but not faint of heart…they passed the test…they were faint having done all that human being can be expected to do. They were hero’s, everyone of them.
The best of men, are still men… Ps 39:5
In the Battle, after awhile…it begins to take its toll…tired, exhausted, used up, vitality gone.
Biggest loss…the biggest tragedy…is loss of opportunity.
The Men of Succoth (booths)
Appeals for help and support…rejected…scoffers…under-rated him
v.5 Some are perfectly willing to let God’s warrior go hungry.
…no bread for you!
v.6 Some who will not identify with a work, if the outcome is still doubtful…haven’t got leaders
v.7 Gideon’s response…Discipline is coming!
Man seldom learn much…without the thorns of the wilderness!
Mt 12:30
v.8-9 The Men of Penuel (facing God)
v.8 Some who are perfectly willing to stand back and let the work of God fail.
They answered Gideon the same way…safe in their safe, comfortable,walled city.
Some who are perfectly willing to “let others fight the battles”.
v.9 When I come back victorious, I will break down this tower!
Once our safe, comfortable places…towers are destroyed…sometimes we learn, not until.
v.10-17 The Enemy Defeated / The Discipline Was (and will be) Exercised!
v.10 the host was secure…they thought they were…thought they had escaped!
Escaping judgment is the hope of all lost men…they will not!
Is 9:4 as in the day of Midian
Is 10:26 according to the slaughter
Ps 83:1-18 especially v.9-11 - like Oreb and like Zeeb
Oreb …Heb. raven
Zeeb… Heb. wolf
Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
v.18-21 In that day, the Defeated Enemy will recognize and acknowledge the children of the King.
They killed Gideon’s brothers at Tabor…v.19 he is now an “avenger of blood”.
Gideon directs his firstborn to slay them…but he does not. Children a reflection of their parents.
Gideon acts in the face of their insults.
As a man is, so is his strength…mistake #1 don’t commit to a child to the destruction of the enemy…the fearful were sent home, remember!
v.22-28 Sowing the seeds of future problems
Departing from the truth…even a little…even with the best of intentions…leads to apostasy.
“Not a good idea gone bad”…but a bad idea, that became a disaster!
v.23 Resisting the offer to make him a king…the LORD shall rule over you.
He falls into the trap of making a “golden” ephod…priests garment Ex 28…he was no Levite.
A little symbol…a little memorial…it goes the wrong way. It was a disaster.
Stray from the TRUTH…stray from the WORD of God…message, methods, motives…
Golden calves…golden ephods (Jewish wrapper)…apostasy (with a Christian wrapper)
v.27 Snare…a trap…v.17:5 it gets worse.
The very leader who led them out of idolatry…leads them back into it. Overcome with his own importance…reads his own press clippings!