WEBVTT 00:00:00.740 --> 00:00:10.000 Well, good evening. It is a joy to be with you as we get stuck into Gideon over these next few Sunday evenings. 00:00:10.500 --> 00:00:18.580 You may have worked out or you may not have by now. Judges was something of my plotting and scheming over the last little while. 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:26.900 And when I was planning the series and when Graham said it was okay, I put my name down quickly to get preaching on Gideon. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.460 Gideon's story and Samson's story get a lot of airtime in the book of Judges. 00:00:35.539 --> 00:00:37.359 You've maybe noticed that as you read through. 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:49.900 And so we're slowing down a little and we're taking a little more time on these characters rather than some of the shorter Judges who kind of whisk through as you go through the stories. 00:00:50.820 --> 00:00:58.179 And where we've been up to in Judges so far, we've had relatively positive Judges. 00:00:58.179 --> 00:01:03.899 The folk who have been delivering Israel have been relatively good. 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:11.120 And Gideon is the first of the more negative examples that we see. 00:01:12.180 --> 00:01:19.180 This week we'll see God's grace as he deals with Gideon's call and Gideon's commissioning. 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:23.299 That's chapter 6 of Judges which we heard read so well. 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:36.120 And then next week we'll go on to see God's power manifested through Gideon's weakness as he delivers Israel and as he falls into idolatry at the end of his life. 00:01:36.819 --> 00:01:40.859 Then we have a week off for our quarterly church vision meetings. 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:48.859 And then we come back and we deal with Abimelech who is something of an oddity in Judges. 00:01:49.819 --> 00:01:53.859 He isn't a deliverer but he's the child of Gideon by illegitimacy. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:02:06.219 And that's a really interesting, really enthralling story showing us a little of the danger of attempting to piggyback on God's purposes for our own gain. 00:02:06.219 --> 00:02:13.439 So I hope as we dig in these three Sunday nights we'll see something a little more clearly of God. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:16.780 What God wants us to learn from his word. 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:24.199 And as we open up these stories as we really find out what's going on behind them. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:31.939 Before we get properly into the narrative I suppose I just want to make a couple of more general points. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:36.379 These could really be counted for all of the next three. 00:02:37.300 --> 00:02:40.979 Firstly, please do not assume that we should emulate Gideon. 00:02:41.419 --> 00:02:47.020 And I don't think I can stress this one enough and I think I repeated a couple of times during the sermon this evening. 00:02:47.379 --> 00:02:50.240 Please do not assume that we should emulate Gideon. 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:56.020 Do not assume that because Gideon is used by God that we should copy him. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:01.340 As we read I hope that he is a great encouragement to us. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:05.920 I hope that we get so much from his life and from what he does. 00:03:06.580 --> 00:03:12.560 And I hope that we find some great applications for our lives as we seek to live for God in our world. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:20.180 But please do not assume that Gideon is good or that Gideon is somebody to copy. 00:03:21.460 --> 00:03:27.300 And I suppose in the same vein please note that these are very real people. 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:33.480 The Bible is an incredible book and this is definitely not a whitewash. 00:03:34.040 --> 00:03:45.400 Don't expect the Hollywood heroes who stride onto scene and effortlessly defeat all around them and then drift off into the sunset. 00:03:45.660 --> 00:03:46.960 It just doesn't happen. 00:03:47.900 --> 00:03:51.200 This is not that sort of story. 00:03:51.199 --> 00:03:58.619 This is from real life and it has all of the complexities and all of the craziness that you would expect. 00:03:59.199 --> 00:04:08.519 So don't be surprised maybe if we find an unsavory thing or two coming across our plate as we dig into Gideon's story. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:16.240 And so just before we dig into our portion tonight can we just pray and ask for God's help. 00:04:16.379 --> 00:04:22.680 Just for me I know I'm struggling and perhaps some of you are struggling as you try and listen to another sermon today. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:26.639 So let's pray and ask God to help us to hear his voice. 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:41.180 Father, we know that you are good and as we have heard your word written, read out to us, we pray that that would have really caught our minds. 00:04:41.599 --> 00:04:43.939 That it would have touched our hearts already. 00:04:44.399 --> 00:04:51.379 As we have sung these songs that are so full of truth that you would have encouraged us and built us up. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:58.600 And now as your word is preached and explained, we pray that by your spirit you would come. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:01.360 That you would move. 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:06.879 That your grace would be seen in all of its incredible nature. 00:05:07.680 --> 00:05:10.819 And that we would be blown away by you again tonight. 00:05:11.300 --> 00:05:17.279 Father, we long for you knowing that everything that we do in our own power is useless. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:21.100 But only what's done in your power counts. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:24.100 So we pray, help us in Jesus name. 00:05:25.079 --> 00:05:25.480 Amen. 00:05:27.779 --> 00:05:35.480 I wonder if you've ever had to deal with someone who was completely bent on folly. 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:38.699 No matter what counsel you would give them. 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:43.719 No matter how you would attempt to coax them towards a better opinion. 00:05:44.139 --> 00:05:46.240 They are set on their way. 00:05:46.240 --> 00:05:53.620 Perhaps that's been a child who sadly has not wanted to follow after your way. 00:05:54.400 --> 00:06:03.060 Perhaps that has been a co-worker or a friend that you have seen go towards dangerous habits. 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:12.300 Nothing seems to be able to sway them from their self-destructive paths. 00:06:13.420 --> 00:06:27.600 If you have ever dealt with any of this situation, I'm sure you will know the heartache and the pain and the frustration and the sorrow that comes from such waywardness. 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:37.780 Perhaps as we have been going through judges, it has brought some of that same idea to our minds. 00:06:37.779 --> 00:06:46.359 As we've watched Israel, we see them constantly straying left, right and centre. 00:06:46.559 --> 00:06:56.439 And as we left our last sermon in Judges, we were taken through chapter 5 and chapter 6 by Daniel last week. 00:06:56.439 --> 00:07:01.920 And it says that the land rested for 40 years. 00:07:02.600 --> 00:07:05.439 And you think this is great, this is going well. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:15.579 But sadly, that is always followed in the book of Judges by the people straying yet again. 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:23.060 And they turn back to their sin and to their idolatry. 00:07:23.060 --> 00:07:25.680 And that's where we start this evening. 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:28.939 And this is the beginning of the fourth cycle. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:32.560 The fourth time that they've been delivered. 00:07:33.980 --> 00:07:37.019 The fourth time that they've been saved. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:40.079 Here they are again and they're sinning again. 00:07:41.100 --> 00:07:43.199 Forsaking the God who loves them. 00:07:43.699 --> 00:07:48.459 Who's taken them from nothing and put them into their own land. 00:07:48.459 --> 00:07:53.680 It's mind-boggling, isn't it? 00:07:54.299 --> 00:07:57.519 That we are so hard to turn. 00:07:58.459 --> 00:08:01.479 That as people, we continually stray. 00:08:02.680 --> 00:08:06.879 And perhaps we lose some of that when we read the Bible. 00:08:07.079 --> 00:08:13.240 Perhaps we sometimes read these stories and we forget that we are just like the Israelites. 00:08:13.240 --> 00:08:20.840 That consistently, the thing that we can be relied on to do is go the wrong way. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:28.939 And Israel is turned away from the worship of the one true God again. 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:34.279 And in verse 1 there you see, 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:39.000 They did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 00:08:40.439 --> 00:08:42.519 And so God takes action. 00:08:43.539 --> 00:08:51.179 And perhaps by this stage we're familiar enough with the structure of Judges that we know what's going to come next. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.959 God takes action. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:59.179 He fulfills on the promises that he made to the Israelites in the covenant. 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:01.699 And he raises up these people. 00:09:02.339 --> 00:09:03.339 The Midianites. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.019 The Amalekites. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.559 And the sons of the east. 00:09:07.079 --> 00:09:08.739 This grand coalition. 00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:13.079 And these people come like a plague of locusts. 00:09:13.339 --> 00:09:15.219 They sweep through the country. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:17.059 From east to west. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.659 And they pillage. 00:09:19.439 --> 00:09:20.359 And they oppress. 00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:25.519 And they leave the land empty of its produce. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:28.439 And then they leave. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:32.120 Only to come again the following year. 00:09:33.439 --> 00:09:35.779 And for seven years this happens. 00:09:36.980 --> 00:09:41.720 For seven years the people of Israel suffer. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.779 They are destitute. 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.840 They are without food. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:49.199 They resort to hiding in the hills. 00:09:49.539 --> 00:09:52.980 Trying to squirrel away just enough to last them. 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:57.720 And it says that Israel was brought very low. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:02.840 I don't think that's just talking about in number. 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:05.120 Or in their wealth. 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:09.360 I think that's something to do with their outlook on life. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.060 They're brought very low. 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:15.300 And finally. 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:18.519 Finally Israel cry out to Yahweh. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.720 Back to their God. 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:23.820 For seven years their backs had been turned to God. 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.580 And now finally at their very lowest. 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:29.180 In utter desperation. 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:31.660 They cry out to the God. 00:10:31.920 --> 00:10:34.180 That they have abandoned. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.540 Down there in verse 6. 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:40.500 They cry out for help to the Lord. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:49.379 And we have to see how God is already graciously working in them for this to happen. 00:10:50.379 --> 00:10:55.139 God is restraining his straying people. 00:10:56.279 --> 00:11:00.659 He's checking if you like their spiritual adultery. 00:11:00.659 --> 00:11:03.620 He's challenging their moral failure. 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:06.699 And bringing them to the only place. 00:11:07.319 --> 00:11:11.379 In which they would consider that they've made a mistake. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:15.219 Now we must be careful. 00:11:15.620 --> 00:11:16.719 Not all problems. 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:19.600 Not all poverty is because of sin. 00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:21.899 We are sure of that. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:24.439 Not all suffering is because of our failure. 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:28.340 But what happens here. 00:11:29.440 --> 00:11:36.260 Is that God uses sufferings to bring the children of Israel back to their senses. 00:11:37.140 --> 00:11:39.180 And it's so true, isn't it? 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:43.320 That some of us only pick up our Bible when trials come. 00:11:44.260 --> 00:11:48.460 Some of us only pray when worry sets in. 00:11:48.460 --> 00:11:51.879 And C.S. Lewis got it right. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:54.480 When he said this. 00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:57.500 God whispers to us in our pleasures. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:00.740 He speaks in our conscience. 00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:03.940 But he shouts to us in our pains. 00:12:04.780 --> 00:12:09.420 It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:14.740 And so at the lowest of the low. 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:18.420 The children of Israel cry out to God. 00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:22.500 And he does the most loving thing that he could. 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.500 He sends a prophet. 00:12:27.400 --> 00:12:30.300 Perhaps for some of us so used with this story. 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:31.420 That sounds normal. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:35.540 But remember that these people are in the middle of occupation. 00:12:36.440 --> 00:12:37.680 They're foodless. 00:12:38.060 --> 00:12:39.100 They're hopeless. 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:40.700 They're desperate. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:47.879 And I'm fairly sure that this prophet was about as welcome as the Midianites were. 00:12:48.460 --> 00:12:52.320 But listen to the words that he speaks. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:55.400 He reminds these sinful people. 00:12:56.200 --> 00:12:56.860 That God. 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:59.980 That this God that they are crying to. 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:02.379 He isn't some witless grandfather. 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:08.379 This God cannot be tricked or cajoled into helping. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:13.820 Israel isn't going to manipulate Yahweh to do their will. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.300 No. 00:13:15.300 --> 00:13:15.340 No. 00:13:16.560 --> 00:13:18.620 God speaks through this prophet. 00:13:19.280 --> 00:13:21.360 And he reminds them again. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:25.220 Of the mercy and the grace that they've already been shown. 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:27.820 That God brought them out of Israel. 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:30.400 That God set them in this land. 00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:37.259 And he indicts them of their sin. 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:44.659 God said you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:50.199 But you have not obeyed my voice. 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:50.300 God says. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:57.759 This is probably the most devastating rebuke that can be leveled to anyone. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:02.980 They have not listened to their God. 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:05.680 To the one who created them. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.720 And the one who redeemed them. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:11.759 And at the end of this speech. 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:14.639 If we read this perhaps for the first time. 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:16.580 We are left on tender hooks. 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:20.500 What will God do with his erring people? 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.080 Is this it? 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:25.740 Is this prophet the last spokesman that they will ever hear? 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:27.560 And then the lights will go out? 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:30.220 Is this it? 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:34.379 Has their idolatry finally cut them off from the love of their gods? 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:39.179 But before we go further. 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:41.799 Let's pause and see God's grace again. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.340 Do you notice that God cares enough for his people? 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:50.700 That he does not leave them to their own ideas about right and wrong? 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:56.439 He does not abandon them to come up with their own moral system. 00:14:57.580 --> 00:15:00.080 They have chosen to follow false gods. 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:02.679 Who will seek the harm of their followers. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:10.000 But God will not allow them to unwittingly continue in the service of demons. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:17.679 Rather he sends a prophet to warn them against their idiocy. 00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:23.899 And so left wondering what God will do. 00:15:24.059 --> 00:15:25.859 Left on something of a cliffhanger. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:30.479 We're taken to a divine encounter in Ophra. 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:36.080 Perhaps these images aren't terribly clear. 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:41.820 You can see on the left hand there a map of Israel. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:47.120 And the green areas are where the Israelites successfully conquered. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:55.480 And on the right hand you see the different areas in which the different judges worked. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:16:01.420 And if you look at the area that's being pointed to by the red arrow. 00:16:01.560 --> 00:16:02.440 That's Ophra. 00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:06.840 That's where Gideon worked from on the right hand picture. 00:16:07.440 --> 00:16:09.539 But on the left if you notice. 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:11.620 It isn't a green area. 00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:18.259 This isn't an area where the conquest has gone swimmingly well. 00:16:18.259 --> 00:16:25.240 And so we perhaps need to keep that in the back of our mind. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.960 Here is Gideon. 00:16:29.240 --> 00:16:33.480 And he's in the pagan heartland. 00:16:34.799 --> 00:16:36.740 He's not in Bible Belt. 00:16:38.319 --> 00:16:42.779 He's not in the middle of the temple when he gets spoken to. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:44.939 No, he's out in the sticks. 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.819 Where the pagans are strong. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:51.539 And what do we find him doing? 00:16:51.839 --> 00:16:56.579 He's struggling to process what little grain they'd successfully harvested. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.899 Despite the Midianites. 00:17:00.339 --> 00:17:03.120 And he's desperately trying to hide it. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:06.460 As he gets rid of the waste product. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:12.220 And along comes this unexpected visitor. 00:17:15.039 --> 00:17:16.519 And the visitor says, 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:19.700 Yahweh is with you, O valiant warrior. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:24.620 Doesn't look like much of a warrior to me. 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.960 Cowering in a wine press. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.440 For the fear of the Midianites. 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:35.019 Hiding in a little bit of a pit. 00:17:35.019 --> 00:17:36.920 Trying to thresh out some grain. 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:41.879 And his response in verse 13. 00:17:41.980 --> 00:17:44.500 That doesn't really increase our estimation of the man. 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.460 He's cynical. 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:50.859 He questions the presence of God with his people. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:56.759 To be honest, it sounds like he's fed up hearing about this God. 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:01.259 Who's done nothing in his estimation to warn any praise. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:10.279 Notice how he completely dismisses everything that's said of God. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:16.559 Please sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? 00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:21.879 And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us? 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:24.259 Saying, did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? 00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:29.059 But now the Lord has forsaken us. 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:32.099 And given us into the hand of Midian. 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:37.160 The only thing that Gideon attributes to God. 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:40.240 Is the current disaster that they face. 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:45.579 But God is seemingly unperturbed. 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:48.900 By the faithlessness of his chosen servant. 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:52.420 And he commissions Gideon to go on to save Israel. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.339 And the phrasing is rather odd. 00:18:57.339 --> 00:19:06.359 It says, go on in this might of yours, save Israel from the hand of Midian. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:14.179 We'd expect it to say something more like, go on in my strength, save Israel from Midian. 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.939 But that's not what it says. 00:19:17.959 --> 00:19:22.839 And I think it's deliberate that it's kind of ambiguous and a little bit difficult. 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:28.919 And I think next week perhaps we'll see what sort of strength Gideon has. 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:32.279 But Gideon is not convinced. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:40.339 Now he begins to list all the reasons why he couldn't possibly deliver Israel. 00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:45.399 But God again assures Gideon that he will go with him. 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:50.559 That the victory will be as if there's only one man to defeat. 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:58.159 And the whole conversation reminds us of the calling of Moses, doesn't it? 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:05.179 The false sense of humility. 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:08.319 The coming up with excuses. 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:11.439 And I think that's meant to be there. 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:15.220 I think we're meant to instantly take a wee flashback there. 00:20:16.199 --> 00:20:21.419 We're meant to wonder in our minds, hold on, is God doing something special here? 00:20:21.420 --> 00:20:25.320 Is God going to raise up another Moses for us? 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:37.180 But then we instantly get set into this rather odd section about Gideon giving this angelic visitor a meal. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:44.300 And here I think we get an insight, a particular insight into Gideon's ignorance about his whole situation. 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:49.700 We read that it is Yahweh who is talking to Gideon. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:54.960 Perhaps in your Bible it's the Lord in small capitals or something along those lines. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:21:00.839 But notice that Gideon has never referred to his visitor in that way. 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:06.500 He's always used Lord with just normal letters, perhaps your Bible puts it. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:15.279 And in this offering, there's no resemblance of any kind to the offerings of the sacrificial system. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:20.400 Gideon goes and prepares a massive amount of food. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:25.519 35 litres of flour and a whole boiled goat. 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:33.339 And this doesn't look like an Israelite worshipping Yahweh. 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:43.180 This looks to be straight from the Canaanite playbook of how to prepare a feast for a God visitor. 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:52.560 And only when the visitor consumes the offering, doing exactly what Gideon requested, 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:58.060 does Gideon finally, the penny drops, he realises who this is. 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.580 And what's his response? 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:02.340 It's not being firm in his faith. 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:07.720 It's not being built up and ready to go and defeat whatever is coming his way. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:09.420 No, he's full of terror. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:18.220 Only then does Gideon realise that this messenger was from God. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:29.380 And Gideon has enough knowledge to know that seeing God face to face is a fearsome thing. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.820 And he cries out. 00:22:32.080 --> 00:22:35.560 But again, God mercifully answers his desperate pleas. 00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:40.619 And there's a lovely little triplet in verse 23. 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:42.659 Peace to you. 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.279 Do not fear. 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:46.220 You shall not die. 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:51.299 That is what God says to this fearful Gideon. 00:22:52.879 --> 00:22:55.720 And Gideon builds an altar and worships. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:23:02.240 Doing something slightly more acceptable than preparing a ridiculously large amount of food. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:06.740 And the name of the place he calls the Lord is peace. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.599 Yahweh shalom. 00:23:08.940 --> 00:23:15.799 And as we think back over all these events, can you see how the puzzle starts to fit together? 00:23:16.359 --> 00:23:20.599 And how the graciousness of God towards Gideon is just staggering. 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:29.119 Despite faithlessness and ignorance, God graciously works to bring Gideon around. 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:41.279 And perhaps as we think through our own lives of our own faithlessness and ignorance, we can appreciate the patience that God has shown to us. 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:45.899 The slowness that he has to give up on us. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:50.659 The willingness that he has to wait for us. 00:23:51.219 --> 00:23:55.599 And even to accept from us what is completely unsatisfactory. 00:23:55.599 --> 00:24:00.359 But we come back to this idea. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:04.299 Let us never seek to emulate Gideon in these things. 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:07.379 Yes, we can take great comfort. 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:15.059 Yes, we can even seek to emulate the patience that God has shown here on those who are perhaps younger in the faith. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:19.500 But let us strive to worship God truly. 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:25.200 Let us stir one another on to know God rightly. 00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:30.480 To speak of him well rather than cynically. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:35.240 To recognize his gracious working in our lives. 00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:41.460 Let us never use Gideon as an excuse to worship God like the world worships. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:53.819 And would that we never be so utterly compromised that our worship looks like and smells like the dead religion and the vain philosophies of all the surrounding culture. 00:24:57.420 --> 00:25:00.440 God raises up a deliverer. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.440 God raises up a deliverer. 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.440 God raises up a deliverer. 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:05.320 But now what will God do with him? 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:08.059 What will Gideon's first act be? 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:12.620 Will he go and will he slay the Midianites that have just entered the land? 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.259 No. 00:25:15.299 --> 00:25:20.700 The very same night as Gideon's encounter, God speaks again to Gideon. 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:28.100 There are now two places of worship in Ophrah and they cannot coexist. 00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:33.980 Particularly when this was to be the source of God's deliverance from the nation. 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:41.059 And so Gideon is told to go and to destroy the altar and the Asherah pole. 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:47.340 Notice Gideon is not the child being sent to every Bible camp. 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:51.379 This Baal altar is owned by his father. 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:56.119 Gideon's father is the ringleader of Baal worship in the area. 00:25:57.319 --> 00:26:00.339 Not only that, but his father is relatively wealthy. 00:26:01.139 --> 00:26:03.759 Notice Gideon takes ten servants to help him. 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:08.439 This was a man raised in both privileged position, 00:26:08.959 --> 00:26:15.619 but also into a family that seems to have been completely full of idolatry. 00:26:15.619 --> 00:26:20.659 And Gideon's speed of action is commendable. 00:26:21.939 --> 00:26:26.199 As soon as he's told to do it, he goes and he does it that very same night. 00:26:27.699 --> 00:26:30.339 Although again, don't be too awestruck by it. 00:26:30.979 --> 00:26:32.419 He does it because he's afraid. 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:35.639 He wanted to do it under cover of darkness. 00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:39.019 Because he feared his family and the townspeople. 00:26:39.019 --> 00:26:44.599 Sometimes when people are dealing with Gideon, they're very harsh against him here. 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:47.779 They think that his fear isn't warranted. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:49.799 But it obviously is. 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:54.940 He has the measure of his neighbors down to a tee. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:56.660 Because the next morning they wake up. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:27:02.139 And they go and they look and Baal's altar is destroyed and the Asherah poles cut down. 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:04.780 And the first thing they do, they start an investigation. 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:07.600 They get the police on the job. 00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:13.520 And by the time the police have found that it was Gideon's thing, they arrive at the door. 00:27:15.320 --> 00:27:17.900 And they ask Gideon's father, send out your son. 00:27:18.080 --> 00:27:19.140 He needs to die. 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:22.480 Gideon's fear was perfectly warranted. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:26.980 And do you see the irony here? 00:27:27.799 --> 00:27:29.620 These folk living in Israel. 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:36.880 Who claim some small way to have called out on God. 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:45.259 And here they are about to kill somebody who's destroyed a place of false worship. 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:48.799 The thing's all upside down and backside front. 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:55.359 Surprisingly, it's Gideon's father who gives Gideon some leeway. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:58.299 He makes a valid point. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:02.059 Baal ought to be God enough to deal with Gideon himself. 00:28:04.099 --> 00:28:07.859 But again, the renaming of Gideon is a troubling point. 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:12.039 And it points to the fact that Joash, Gideon's father, 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:16.799 he isn't a devout Israelite who's defending his son righteously. 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:20.919 But rather he's an unrepentant idolater. 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:24.759 Gideon's renamed Jerubal. 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:28.180 Let Baal contend against him. 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:33.379 This is a prayer to Baal to deal with Gideon 00:28:33.379 --> 00:28:37.159 that would get said every time somebody shouted his name. 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:42.579 This is a curse given by his father. 00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:47.639 Gideon's deliverance is off to a rocky start. 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:58.400 The last section of our passage is perhaps the best known of the whole section. 00:28:59.520 --> 00:29:02.440 A year has gone past, or a good part of it, 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:05.560 and the Midianites had marked in their calendars 00:29:05.560 --> 00:29:09.860 to go and consume the land of Israel just like every other year. 00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:11.759 And here they come again, 00:29:12.100 --> 00:29:14.480 and they camp near Gideon's hometown. 00:29:14.480 --> 00:29:16.759 But something different happens. 00:29:17.620 --> 00:29:20.779 God has his man in the right place. 00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:24.839 And God comes and he fills Gideon. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:27.819 Or rather, he clothes Gideon. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:32.120 And Gideon calls to his own people, 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:34.400 and to the whole tribe of Manasseh, 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:37.279 and to the neighboring tribes as well to come. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:39.859 And the most surprising thing, 00:29:40.460 --> 00:29:42.359 in verse 35, they assemble. 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.420 This Gideon, 00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:50.160 who maybe only nine months ago could barely keep himself alive, 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:55.879 has mustered an army of the very same people that wanted to kill him. 00:29:57.619 --> 00:30:01.259 God is powerfully working through him. 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:07.539 But let us never think that the people God uses are perfect. 00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:11.119 The very next verse, 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:14.119 we find already Gideon vacillating 00:30:14.119 --> 00:30:17.359 about whether God was really going to use him or not. 00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:21.279 He has an army camped outside of his tent, 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.539 and he's cowering inside going, 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:25.799 God, I really don't know if you're going to use me. 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.200 Gideon's unsure. 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:33.740 And Gideon tests God, 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:37.900 as if God was the unreliable party of the two. 00:30:39.059 --> 00:30:42.920 As if God was prone to saying one thing and doing another. 00:30:47.140 --> 00:30:50.200 And we've already seen God's grace in dealing with Gideon. 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.160 And here again, 00:30:51.840 --> 00:30:54.380 God graciously condescends to Gideon. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:57.960 Even though Gideon is disobedient to the law. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:02.779 And Deuteronomy 6.16 says, 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:06.120 you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:08.539 But here's Gideon testing God. 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:12.819 And yet God does not deal with him according to his sins. 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:16.000 But rather he allays his fears 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:18.160 and bolsters his courage 00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:20.740 so that he can lead God's people. 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:24.000 And for the final time tonight, 00:31:24.120 --> 00:31:27.859 we must be careful and not emulate Gideon in this. 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:31.980 I perhaps need to make a careful distinction here. 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:34.200 Forgive me for running a couple of minutes over time. 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:39.579 Perhaps asking God to do something in order to guide us 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:43.199 is somewhat allowable 00:31:43.199 --> 00:31:45.639 if and only if 00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:49.480 God's word says nothing about the choice 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.939 that we have to make. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:55.199 Perhaps asking God to do something 00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:56.839 to guide us 00:31:56.839 --> 00:31:59.359 is kind of okay 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:02.859 only if the Bible is completely silent 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:05.059 on that choice that you're going to make. 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:08.319 I'm sure many of us have wondered 00:32:08.319 --> 00:32:10.440 if God wants us to take a certain job 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:12.639 or do something with our lives. 00:32:13.859 --> 00:32:15.759 And some of us probably, 00:32:16.159 --> 00:32:17.919 many of us maybe, 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.419 have laid out a fleece 00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:20.740 or so it's called. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:24.059 We've set a condition for God to fulfill 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:26.000 that will let us know 00:32:26.000 --> 00:32:28.339 whether or not we're meant to do something. 00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:31.000 And most of the time, 00:32:31.079 --> 00:32:32.599 it's about choices that God says 00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:35.000 little or nothing about in the Bible. 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:37.439 God doesn't say to my knowledge 00:32:37.439 --> 00:32:38.959 whether being a lawyer 00:32:38.959 --> 00:32:40.480 is better than being a joiner. 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.399 It's a free choice. 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:44.839 And in those cases, 00:32:45.939 --> 00:32:47.339 although I maybe think it's foolish, 00:32:48.079 --> 00:32:50.139 although I maybe think it's a bad way 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:51.740 to seek God's guidance, 00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:53.959 I'm convinced that it isn't sinful. 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:58.299 I think God has given us much better ways 00:32:58.299 --> 00:33:00.200 to make such decisions 00:33:00.200 --> 00:33:03.420 based on the use of our brains 00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:05.279 and our circumstances 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:07.579 and the wisdom of godly Christians. 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:12.680 But if you are asking God to confirm to you 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:15.140 something that he's already talked about 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:16.819 definitively in the Bible, 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:21.420 if you're asking God to attest to something 00:33:21.420 --> 00:33:23.039 that's already black and white, 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:27.759 then please, for your own sake, stop it. 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:31.480 For the good of your spiritual health, 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.799 stop it. 00:33:34.139 --> 00:33:36.639 Because you are in grave spiritual danger. 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:41.399 The only sign that you need, 00:33:41.500 --> 00:33:44.180 the only true miracle that you desire 00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:47.700 is that God has given us his word 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:50.460 in our hands, in our language 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:52.779 that we can read at our convenience. 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:56.319 And he's already given us everything 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:58.659 pertaining to life and godliness. 00:34:02.319 --> 00:34:03.859 So if you're in that position, 00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:05.500 can I say lovingly, 00:34:06.960 --> 00:34:10.099 obey his word and stop wandering foolishly 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.199 after experiences. 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:16.619 And rather ask our gracious God 00:34:16.619 --> 00:34:17.699 to give you wisdom 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:20.819 and he will give you generously 00:34:20.819 --> 00:34:22.779 and without reproach. 00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:32.260 Gideon's call is a great story of God's grace to his people 00:34:32.260 --> 00:34:34.400 and to his chosen servant. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.780 God's grace to his people 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:38.820 but we look forward to someone else. 00:34:39.820 --> 00:34:42.160 Someone who would not deny his calling. 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:45.300 Someone who would not test God. 00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:49.280 Someone who would openly challenge 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:52.300 the idolatry of his society without fear. 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:56.760 We look forward to one who promises 00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:59.280 not only to clothe us with the spirit 00:34:59.280 --> 00:35:02.240 but to fill us with his spirit 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:05.800 and to work in and through us. 00:35:06.539 --> 00:35:09.680 We look forward to the true deliverer 00:35:09.680 --> 00:35:11.280 to Jesus 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:14.200 who has delivered us 00:35:14.200 --> 00:35:15.340 from our slavery 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:17.320 and oppression of sin 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:21.280 and who has patiently dealt with us ever since. 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:25.580 As we continue to struggle with his word 00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:27.500 and his demands on our life. 00:35:28.640 --> 00:35:29.519 Can we just pray 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.720 as we finish? 00:35:30.719 --> 00:35:35.579 Father, we thank you for your word. 00:35:36.379 --> 00:35:39.619 Thank you that you worked through Gideon 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:41.079 despite his folly. 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:44.500 Despite his many failures. 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:46.579 Yet you took him 00:35:46.579 --> 00:35:48.399 and you used him. 00:35:49.539 --> 00:35:52.019 And we pray that you would take us 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:54.599 despite our waywardness. 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:55.959 Despite our sin. 00:35:57.599 --> 00:36:00.159 And that you would take us 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:02.000 and use us for your glory. 00:36:03.519 --> 00:36:04.759 We pray this evening 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:06.059 if we are struggling 00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:07.779 with obeying your word 00:36:07.779 --> 00:36:09.319 that you would bolster us. 00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:13.399 That you would come 00:36:13.399 --> 00:36:16.639 and make your presence known in us. 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:19.759 And that we would have the courage 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.940 to follow your word 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:22.559 whatever it takes. 00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:26.039 So Father, bless us as we go, we pray. 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.500 In Jesus' name. 00:36:28.099 --> 00:36:28.500 Amen. 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:30.899 Amen. 00:36:30.899 --> 00:36:31.480 Amen. 00:36:35.480 --> 00:36:36.239 Amen. 00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.299 Amen. 00:36:37.779 --> 00:36:37.839 Amen. 00:36:37.839 --> 00:36:38.579 Amen. 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:47.339 Amen. 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:47.799 Amen. 00:36:47.799 --> 00:36:48.039 Amen. 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:48.199 Amen. 00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:48.619 Amen. 00:36:48.619 --> 00:36:48.799 Amen. 00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:50.039 Amen. 00:36:50.039 --> 00:36:50.359 Amen. 00:36:50.359 --> 00:36:50.539 Amen. 00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:52.539 Amen. 00:36:52.539 --> 00:36:52.719 Amen. 00:36:52.719 --> 00:36:52.839 Anda Amen. 00:36:52.839 --> 00:36:53.259 Amen. 00:36:53.259 --> 00:36:54.759 Amen. 00:36:54.759 --> 00:36:55.659 Amen. 00:36:55.659 --> 00:36:55.719 Amen. 00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.259 Amen. 00:36:56.259 --> 00:36:56.420 Amen. 00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:56.859 Amen. 00:36:56.859 --> 00:36:57.259 Amen. 00:36:57.259 --> 00:36:57.319 Amen. 00:36:57.319 --> 00:36:57.940 Amen. 00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.059 Amen. 00:36:58.059 --> 00:37:00.119 Amen.