Here Comes The Judge -The Transformation Of Gideon

Subject: Here Comes The Judge -The Transformation of Gideon

From a Zero to Hero by The Power of God's Word"

Text: Judges 6:11-24

Introduction: The period of Israel's history in the book of Judges is like a merry-go-round; a time full of ups and downs. It was a time when every man did what was right in his own eyes. The nation of Israel was now suffering under the oppression of the Midianites. Israel was out manned and outgunned. The Midianites covered the landscape like grasshoppers, 135,000 strong. The land of Israel was terrorized by abuse and robbery. Can you imagine, farming your land, working hard to plough plant and tend your crops; then others steal the produce. How would you feel, you cannot do a thing about it. This was the plight of Israel. The Midianites and Amalekites would come and steal from them. How many of us have felt robbed in life? Each time things start to go right, something happens, and it’s gone. Every time God gives you something, it turns to disappointment again.

When God comes to Gideon, he was busy working, threshing wheat, in a winepress! God come to us when we are doing the everyday things in life. God is a Present Help in the time of trouble. Here in our lesson, God chooses to alleviate the suffering of His people by calling Gideon to be a judge. Gideon expected God to intervene miraculously, but God chose to work through Gideon's leadership. God's people cannot always depend on miracles to lead us out of trouble. We must be ready to answer God's call to obedient action. God seeks a committed people, not an opportunity to show off His amazing power. He can help through miracle but often chooses to work His miracles through committed people. We must pray like everything depends on God, then get up and work like everything depends on us.

The messenger from God appeared when Gideon was discouraged and confused about God's action in the face of Israel's plight. Like many believers today, Gideon had only heard of God's power from parents and teachers. He had not yet had a personal experience with God. He felt that God had abandoned His people because his generation had not seen God's saving acts in history. His present condition made him wonder, does God really care about us? Does God really care about me? Does He know what He’s doing? Will He really take care of me? Does He keep His promises? Throughout Chapter 6, Gideon struggles to find answers. When things are in a mess, you can count on God to send a word.

Ps 107:19-21 “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. 21 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Why is the word of God so important for the fearful, discouraged believers? When believer feel abandoned, helpless and hopeless, the word of God brings comfort. Transformation begins with the word.

1. The Power of God’s word Gives Us Assurance - Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

This is a picture a man in utter hopelessness, a man trying to thresh wheat inside a wine press. He is hiding in fear, and he had a limited amount of wheat. Israel's condition as a nation was pitiful, but God heard the people every time they cried out. He heard them and delivered them. How many people do you know cry out in time of distress? How many times have you seen God reach out to the needy? Our times of testing challenge our character and develop us spiritually. Paul says, when I am weak then I am strong. Gideon’s personal struggles are written to encourage us. At a time when Israel were completely humbled before their enemy, and their enemy had taken possession of their vineyards, their fields, and their crops; most Israelites were living in caves and gleaning the edges of fields for food; God’s presence saying “you are not alone and I am watching over you.” It is comforting to know that we are not alone in our struggles. Not only does God’s give us comfort through His word, He gives us confidence.

2. The Power of God’s Word Gives Us Confidence - Judges 6: 12-13 "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.