God refused to give up on Gideon, even when Gideon had given up on himself. Gideon and his 32,000 men were outnumbered by more than four to one. Ashley, 8, explains the way God does math: "God didn't want Gideon to have too many people, because they would all brag." As leader of 32,000 men, he would have begun to think it was possible. As such, he is included in a fitting testimonial for the great men of faith in Hebrews 11:32-34. Why did Moses become such a great leader? Those who see themselves as the greatest, the strongest, the most wise, will have a hard time hearing God’s voice above their own high thoughts and opinions. She was perplexed as to why he should be taken and others, far less responsible or devoted, should be spared. You can read the whole inspiring Bible story about Gideon in Judges 6-8. Overnight, 22,000 of Gideon’s soldiers left. The problem in Gideon's day, however, was a spiritual energy crisis. This must have been a severe blow to Gideon. He instructed Gideon to spy on the camp, and here Gideon heard that the Midianite soldiers were also afraid. If you drink like a dog, you could stay. God ran the numbers again. Once again God coaxed Gideon on. WHAT IF YOU WERE TO RECEIVE A VISITOR THIS EVENING informing you that the national athletics team needed another member and you had been selected for the final? However, those who are lowly, with open and receptive hearts, will be able to become God’s men of valor, ready to do His will. Gideon asked a question that is often on our hearts, I was speaking to a lady recently, who told me about a father, who had brought up his four children single-handed and been a marvellous dad, dying suddenly in his mid-50s. What kind of leader is this, who willingly tells his soldiers to leave just before the battle? “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel!” the Midianite soldier cried. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. See even more articles on our topic page about heroes of faith. Why her? The rest, God said, should be sent home. In the ensuing dialogue, we learn that God is the angel of the Lord. said the angel of the Lord to Gideon. God said blow the horns and crash real big, and he would give them electricity," says Weston, 4. A fleece is only needed when uncertainty remains about the means of accomplishing the goal … Gideon had accepted God’s word but was doubtful about the means to achieve it. God knows our personality and our weaknesses, our tendency towards sin. But He knows who we are and He has chosen us before the beginning of time to emerge as victors over our indwelling sin! Please. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted. God knows our personality and our weaknesses, our tendency towards sin.  But it’s not a mistake that He has chosen us. In verse 13, Gideon asked a question that is often on our hearts: Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Gideon didn't graduate from West Point. on to choose only the men who keep watching while they drink. In their need, Israel cried out to God. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. But it’s not a mistake that He has chosen us. It was small versus big. 3.4. FLEECES HAVE THEIR PLACE but note 4 things: The process does not begin with a fleece… it is placed out on the eve of battle as a final confirmation and faith-enhancer. Gideon announced that all scared soldiers should go home. Creators.com requires Javascript for full functionality. Everything must be huge, splashy and well-funded. Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, “Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?” But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.’, 14 The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Chapter 5 SUFFERING FOR CHRIST, JESUS: Who on Earth! Almost 2,000 years ago, all the forces of hell assembled against a man crucified between two thieves. The angel tells Gideon to prepare a meal …and to lay it out on a flat stone… Then supernatural fire comes and burns it up. That left 10,000. Their mighty strength had been overcome by a mere 300 men led by Gideon, a man of God. BUT NO, IT’S GENUINE… What’s more, not only are you invited to join the squad, you are to be the captain…! To count himself as one of those who was afraid so he didn’t have to face the battleAlmost all talk of battles and wars when concerning a Christian life refers to the inner battle that arises when a sinful thought tempts you. (Judges 6:12). Dustin, 4, has another version of a Gideon lesson: "I learned you don't have to hit or fight. The first test reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to 10,000 (Judges 7:2-3). I was speaking to a lady recently, who told me about a father, who had brought up his four children single-handed and been a marvellous dad, dying suddenly in his mid-50s. Then comes a new order from God: Everyone who is afraid should go home! Now this is a mighty army to be reckoned with! Little did Gideon realize God’s intentions to reduce his army to a miniscule size. "Gideon used fire because the electricity ran out. We fall time and time again when we trust in our own strength instead of striving to find and to do God’s will in our lives. How would you feel leading 300 men against an army? © bcc.media foundation, “as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.”, Almost all talk of battles and wars when concerning a Christian life refers to the inner battle that arises when a sinful thought tempts you. You shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites!”, These words, spoken to Gideon by an angel sent from God, were certainly meant to be encouraging – but Gideon’s first thought seems to have been, “Why me? Christians throughout the world, notably in certain Islamic countries and those ruled by tyrannical bullies, are suffering terribly, The Israelites were in just such a position…. He asked God for signs time and time again. Gideon probably thought at this point that having lost 22,000 and now having a meager army of 10,000 that with the Lord’s help, somehow he would be able to defeat the 135,000 Midianites before his army. All rights reserved. I'm sure Gideon and his band of 300 would be surprised to know they solved Israel's energy crisis in the late 11th century B.C. This is what I want you to do…, WHAT IF YOU WERE TO RECEIVE A VISITOR THIS EVENING informing you that the national athletics team needed another member and, If you think that’s crazy, our Bible reading will “blow your mind. As for bragging rights, God reduced their numbers and crafted a battle plan that would leave no doubt about the source of their victory. As we go from day to day, we may feel like we come up against walls and insurmountable obstacles; moments when we see our enemy – the sin that is rooted deeply in us – and we become tempted to feel afraid that we don’t stand a chance to win this battle. Let’s see why. A present… a gift… a party… an award… first prize! And the righteous suffered along with the unrighteous… they felt just as hungry and were just as vulnerable to attack! God often uses wise spiritual friends as a fleece… but we need to be wary of choosing someone who will give us the answer that we want to hear! Purchase or download Christian literature at Christian BookShop, the online bookstore for Hidden Treasures Foundation Publishers (HTFP)/Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatter Forlag (SSSF). Am I not sending you? Twenty-two thousand soldiers hit the road. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. People without God have a way of taking something big and doing something small. Add 300 trumpets, and you've got the picture. Listen to a talking book, download the "Kids Color Me Bible" for free, watch Kid TV Interviews and travel around the world by viewing the "Mission Explorers Streaming Video" at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. CHAPTER 3, Part 2, Jesus Christ: Who on Earth! Memorize this truth: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!" God knows that men are great posers. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples invaded the country. Judges 7:12 says the Midianites were “as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.”. First, the angel summoned fire to consume the food Gideon had brought. "God is going to fight the battle for Gideon's army. Ask this question: Does God want to use you to overcome something very difficult? 5 They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locusts. Ashley, 8, explains the way God does math: "God didn't want Gideon to have too many people, because they would all brag.". In obedience to God’s leading, Gideon took the army to the river to drink. The angel of the Lord found him hiding from enemy forces in a wine press threshing wheat. In accomplishing the mission set before him by God, Gideon proves himself to be faithful, a mighty warrior, a strong leader of men (Judges 7:17), and a diplomat (Judges 8:1-3). She was perplexed as to why, each person’s lack of personal responsibility for his or her actions, the Father’s response to the sins of the world was to send a Man, when we ask Jesus why terrible things happen on earth, He asks us the same question, POTENTIAL when we allow Him to take control, hey have no defence against men and women who dare to take God at His word and step out in, A fleece should not be used as a delaying tactic, A fleece is only needed when uncertainty remains about the, God often uses wise spiritual friends as a fleece, He will only use us if we are willing to ‘seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness’, We must walk in step with the Spirit of God each moment of the way, The Lord is with you, mighty warrior! 9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. -- Download Gideon: Chosen by God as PDF --. Gideon was about to experience this firsthand in his life. 4 They camped on the land and ruined the crops all the way to Gaza and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys. Terms of Use: Apart from personal use, reproduction or redistribution of material from the ActiveChristianity website for use elsewhere is not permitted without prior written permission. "You can learn from this that you can do anything through God," says Marshall, 11. Is it God… or has someone planted the idea in my mind? Then you win!". He doesn’t wave a magic wand and make everything better! Gideon was afraid because he realised that this person was an angel sent by God … The good news was that God accepted the sacrifice … Gideon had been given THE GREEN LIGHT! Used by permission. Gideon, from the least of the least in terms of tribes, receives a call from God to take on the Midianites, a nomadic and huge group of people who depleted Israel’s supplies. Jesus said it was a small amount of money, but a big-time reward in God's kingdom, because she gave all she had. The Bible story about Gideon is incredibly inspiring for all of us! This is what I want you to do…, CHILDREN’S NEEDS: a Christian perspective, Haggai: Overview and Lessons to be Learned, JESUS CHRIST: Who on Earth! A fleece should not be used as a delaying tactic…Some people say that they are waiting for confirmation about whether or not they should do this or that years after receiving God’s green light! Was God discouraged by these constant requests? Note that in response to Israel’s cry… God sends a man! Listen to God’s leading voice in your life. Think about this: God specializes in overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds.

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