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.
Gideon needed confidence. He sees the angel of God, but he does not yet properly see himself. The word of God comes to show us a clearer picture of God, but also ourselves. God knew and saw Gideon was a man with a brave spirit; He created him full of potential. We need the word of God because we don’t always know who we are until someone tells us. When we speak the word of God over each another, encourage each other, and we build confidence in each other, in God and His promises. Gideon had low self-worth; he saw very little in himself. God inspired him by showing him he had all the qualifications needed. He assured him of success. Gideon could do nothing in himself, but with God everything is possible. When God calls He equips. Gideon had to strengthen himself in the words God gave him. Always remind yourself what God has said.
God saw Gideon as the right man for the assignment. Gideon was a mighty man of valour and would be the savior of Israel. How do see yourself? We cannot go forward until we see ourselves as God sees us. You cannot look at what going in your life now, to determine whether or not the Lord is with thee. Don't let your circumstances fool you. God works through contradictory circumstances. The Word of God gives us comfort and confidence. Thirdly, the word of God gives us a challenge.
3. The Word of God Offers Us A Challenge. - Judges 6:14, 15 " And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
Gideon knew the plight of Israel, small, poor and powerless. His tribe, the tribe of Mannasseh had missed their blessing. His brother’s tribe, Ephramin in stead of Mannasseh received the double portion. His tribe was the poorest tribe in the nation. And his father's house was the weakest family in the tribe. And his family was the poorest members of his father's house. He saw himself as one of little value, his self esteem was low. He saw himself as a real loser! What a shocking challenge God offer! I want you to go from a zero to hero. Gideon was honestly voicing his sense of frustration and abandonment. Then he claimed to be unqualified to help.
You have to depend upon what you know in your heart despite what may be happening around you. God said, ‘I am with you.’ That’s all that matters; you can go anywhere, do anything as long as He’s with you. Gideon was obedient to the heavenly call. Then God put His Spirit upon him. When God calls, he clothes you with the authority and the necessities needed; He qualifies you. Why would He ask you to do something He already knows you wouldn’t or couldn’t do? Gideon needed a Challenge. His first challenge was to believe God with all his heart, soul and mind. (1) Get Rid of Unbelief! His Second Challenge was to tear down the idols of Baal in the Land. (2) Get rid of sin! It’s always a challenge. Thirdly, Gideon must trust God completely. (3) Get rid of the Weight.
After Gideon accepted the challenge, he was afraid yet he move in faith to tear down the altars of Baal at night. Then he called the nation to arms. He gathered the army together of 32,000. The Midianites army totaled 135,000. He faced a 4:1 ratio and was thinking, “it’s not enough God!”
Then God said, “it’s too many!” Some who dare to believe God, get rid of their sin, find themselves hanging on to weight that hinder.
The 22,000 that had to be sent away were made up of relatives, friends, and acquaintances. They were made of the fearful and afraid, glory seekers, and who left things behind they felt was more important. Gideon selected the ones who didn’t think about their own comforts; they managed on little; they could endure fatigue without complaining of thirst or weariness, but there were only 300! 440:1. When the odds are stacked against you, God moves. God not only changed their numbers, God changed their equipment, no sword, shield or weapons! The word of God will give us comfort; give us confidence; offer us a challenge. Soldiers became trumpeters; all they had was the trumpet, a torch and an earthen jar. God was saying, “Gideon you fight with faith or with nothing at all!” This is our message today, God is either in complete control or we are. Now Gideon, you will see what your heart longed for: You wanted to see the miracles you had heard about? You wanted to see the God of Israel who with a shout destroyed the walls of Jericho? You wanted to meet with the God who overthrew the Egyptians? Well, here’s where the rubber meets the road. The word of God gives us comfort, confidence, offers us a challenge and
4. The Word of God Gives Us Confirmation - Judges 6:16, 17 "And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.
God provided Gideon the confirmation need, a word of assurance and a visible sign. This awesome assurance called Gideon to action. Gideon’s case is being presented to teach us that God will listen to our complaints, knows our frustrations, and realizes our sense of inadequacy. Often times, circumstances, situations and pressures of life, can cause us to want to hide in a winepress and get away from it all. It becomes easy to lose sight on who we are and what God has called us to do. We become so frustrated that we complain instead of praise. We feel so inadequate, and start to wonder, "Am I the right person for the job?" "Did I really hear from God?" "God, why did you call me here?" "Can I or Will I ever make a difference in this place?" God will send you a word of confirmation! Have you ever come in worried, full of questions, on your way to the pastor’s office for counseling, but God sent a word! Don't be shocked to find yourself in good company!
Abraham wondered if he would ever have a son. He second guess God twice, once with Eleazar and then with Ishmael. Moses wondered and asked the Lord, "What am I going to do with this people?" Joshua wondered, "How can we go on without Moses?" When Joshua and Israel was defeated by Ai, he asked, what we going to do, when Israel cannot stand before her enemy?" God answers these questions and a million more besides with a word of assurance:
Hebrews 13:5,6 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Many times I have found myself, wanting supportive members like someone else or television and radio supporters like someone else. But God never expects me to use what I do not have or do what I cannot do. God expects me to be content with my bread for today. How can I be content when I need.........this, that and the other? Because, "for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." “And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” You are the right one baby! Does it shock you? Well, get over, Get up, Go Forward, In the name of Jesus.
