WEBVTT

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 As we get started this morning by way of reminder, we are in the book of Judges.

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! And as you hopefully remember, Judges comes after the Lord has delivered the people of Israel

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! from slavery in Egypt and carried them through their rebellion and their wandering

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 and brought them into the promised land under the leadership of Joshua.

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 And near the end of Joshua's life, he challenges Israel to choose whom they would serve.

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 So if you would, begin by looking with me at some of the verses from Joshua chapter 24.

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 Just a few excerpts of his final challenge to Israel, starting with verse 14.

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 Joshua says,

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 Now therefore, fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness.

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 Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the river and in Egypt and serve the Lord.

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 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve,

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 whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.

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 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

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 Then verse 19.

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 But Joshua said to the people,

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 You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God.

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 He's a jealous God.

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 He will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

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 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods,

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 then he will turn and do you harm and consume you after having done you good.

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 And the people said to Joshua,

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 No, we will serve the Lord.

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 Verse 23.

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 And he said,

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 Then put away the foreign gods that are among you,

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 and incline your heart to the Lord, the God of Israel.

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 And the people said to Joshua,

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 The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.

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 Now, as we know at this point in Joshua,

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 they did not fully obey God's command to drive out the inhabitants of the land or their gods.

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 And so we hear time and time again the book of Judges reverberates with Joshua's challenge,

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 Choose this day whom you will serve.

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 Hopefully you remember that after Joshua's generation died,

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 another generation arose that did not know the Lord or remember his works.

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 Now, remember, they still knew about Yahweh, the one true God,

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 but they're not living in faithful covenant relationship with him.

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 You remember from chapter 6, even Gideon himself knew the stories.

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 He says,

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 Where are all God's wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us?

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 But they mixed Canaanite beliefs and worship with the worship of Yahweh.

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 You remember Gideon's own father, Joash, maintained an altar to Baal

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 and had an Asherah, and the people of the town came there to worship.

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 So because Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,

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 he gave them into the hand of Midian.

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 And hopefully you remember that it's been seven years

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 that the Midianites and the Amalekites have swept through the land,

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 devouring its produce, its livestock, until it says Israel was brought very low.

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 And this time, when Israel cried out,

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 God sent a prophet first before sending a judge.

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 And you probably remember, the prophet made the real problem clear.

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 It was not Israel's deepest problem that they had enemies outside of them,

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 but it was their unfaithfulness inside of them,

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 their disobedience and the corruption of true worship.

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 Then you remember in Judges chapter 6,

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 the angel of the Lord found Gideon.

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 He was fearful, hiding in a winepress.

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 And the angel of the Lord calls Gideon a mighty man of valor.

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 And he sent him first to confront the Baal worship in his own household.

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 Now Gideon obeyed, but again, you remember,

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 he does it at night because he's afraid.

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 But from it all, he gets the nickname, Jeroboam,

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 which means let Baal contend with him.

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 And it becomes an ongoing testimony that Baal could not defend himself.

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 So the spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon,

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 and God patiently reassures Gideon because of the fleece

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 and having the opportunity to know this is what God's doing.

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 And Gideon has gathered an army now on the,

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 or near Mount Gilboa, overlooking the Herod Valley.

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 You can see on the back of your listening guide,

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 there's a map if you'd like to get a clearer picture

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 of where things are happening today.

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 But that's where we'll pick up the story in Judges chapter 7 and 8.

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 And if you're using one of the Bibles from the seat around you,

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 and I hope you will follow along in the Bible,

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 you can find that on page 206.

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 Now, these chapters contain one of the most positive

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 and powerful moments in Judges,

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 followed almost immediately by a critical turn

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 deeper into Israel's downward spiral.

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 Now, let's begin near the end.

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 After the battle has been won.

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 In Judges 8, verses 22 and 23 read,

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 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon,

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 Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson also,

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 for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.

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 Gideon said to them,

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 I will not rule over you,

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 and my son will not rule over you.

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 The Lord will rule over you.

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 Now, that statement is going to give us the theme for this morning's message.

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 The Lord will rule over you.

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 And we're going to look at five ways that his rule is revealed.

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 But to do that, we have to go back in time from this point of the story

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 to about a week before.

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 The first thing we're going to see is the Lord rules through our weakness.

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 The Lord rules through our weakness.

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 And if you would follow along, starting in Judges chapter 7 with verse 1,

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 it reads,

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 Then Jeroboam, that is Gideon,

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 and all the people who were with him,

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 rose early and encamped beside the spring of Herod.

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 And the camp of Midian was north of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.

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 The Lord said to Gideon,

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 The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand,

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 lest Israel boast over me, saying,

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 My own hand has saved me.

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 Now, therefore, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,

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 Whoever is fearful and trembling,

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 let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.

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 Then 22,000 of the people returned and 10,000 remained.

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 So Gideon begins with 32,000 soldiers

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 against what we will later learn is an army of 135,000.

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 Israel's already outnumbered more than four to one,

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 but God says the problem is that Gideon has too many soldiers.

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 Now, why is that?

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 I think it's because by nature we're glory thieves.

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 You see, if there's any plausible way to make ourselves into the hero of the story, we will.

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 So God deliberately removes every reasonable ground for Israel to say,

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 My own hand has saved me.

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 And following the principle laid out in Deuteronomy 20, verse 8,

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 The fearful are permitted to go home,

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 and 22,000 leave.

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 Now, it's interesting.

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 This all happens at the spring of Herod.

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 And in Hebrew,

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 you could also understand that as the spring of trembling.

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 And it's a fitting scene that exposes how deeply fear and unbelief had spread through Israel.

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 You see, they knew the stories of God's mighty acts,

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 but they had very little confidence that he would keep his promises now.

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 So, only 10,000 remain.

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 And yet, the Lord says,

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 There are still too many.

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 Continuing with verse 4.

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 It reads,

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 And the Lord said to Gideon,

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 The people are still too many.

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 Take them down to the water,

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 and I will test them for you there.

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 And anyone of whom I say to you,

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 This one shall go with you,

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 shall go with you.

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 And anyone of whom I say to you,

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 This one shall not go with you,

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 shall not go.

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 So he brought the people down to the water.

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 And the Lord said to Gideon,

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 Everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps,

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 you shall set by himself.

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 Likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink.

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 And the number of those who lapped,

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 putting their hands to their mouths,

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 was 300 men.

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 But all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.

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 And the Lord said to Gideon,

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 With the 300 men who lapped,

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 I will save you,

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 and give the Midianites into your hand.

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 Let all the others go,

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 every man to his home.

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 So the people took provisions in their hands,

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 in their trumpets,

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 and he sent all the rest of Israel,

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 every man to his tent,

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 but retained the 300 men.

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 And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

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 Now, the point of the drinking test

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 is not that God's identifying his special forces.

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 Okay?

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 The text never says that those 300 were more vigilant

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 or more courageous.

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 In contrast,

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 the test reduces the army

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 until Israel's weakness should be unmistakable.

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 300 men against 135,000.

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 Now, the odds about 450 to 1.

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 You see, God knows we readily steal his glory.

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 So he makes Israel too weak

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 to honestly explain the victory apart from him,

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 exposing their weakness,

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 forcing them to depend on him.

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 Now, let's just take a moment

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 and ask yourself,

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 where are you stealing God's glory?

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 Do you quietly credit your success

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 to your own hard work

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 or your wisdom,

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 your ability,

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 forgetting that every good and perfect gift

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 is from above?

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 Do you look down on those

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 that you consider less capable

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 or less disciplined

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 or less intelligent,

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 less mature,

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 less stable?

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 Also, think about

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 where are you fighting

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 against the weakness

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 that God has allowed in your life?

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 Do you tell yourself,

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 if only I had more time,

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 more money,

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 more ability,

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 more strength,

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 more youth,

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 more experience,

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 then I would obey,

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 I would serve,

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 I would do this for the Lord.

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 You see, so often,

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 we want God to make us

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 strong enough to obey,

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 strong enough that we can do it

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 without depending on him,

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 but the Lord rules

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 through our weakness.

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 Now, honestly,

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 what he's called you to

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 may truly be too big for you,

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 but that's because his plan

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 was never for you

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 to do it on your own.

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 He calls us to walk

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 in faithful obedience,

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 step by step,

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 letting our weakness

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 become the stage

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 on which his strength

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 and his glory are displayed.

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 Now, the second thing

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 we want to see

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 is the Lord rules

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 mercifully in our fear.

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 The Lord rules

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 mercifully in our fear.

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 And just by way of reminder,

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 God has been remarkably patient

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 with Gideon's fear

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 throughout this story, right?

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 He finds him hiding

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 in a wine press.

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 He speaks peace to Gideon

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 when Gideon thinks

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 he's going to die

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 because he's sending

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 the angel of the Lord

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 face to face.

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 He doesn't reject

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 or criticize him

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 for tearing down

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 the altar of Baal at night.

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 He patiently reassures him

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 with the fleece.

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 Now, the night before the battle,

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 we're going to see

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 that same mercy continues.

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 Continuing with verse 9,

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 it reads,

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 That same night,

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 the Lord said to Gideon,

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 Arise, go down

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 against the camp,

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 for I have given it

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 into your hand.

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 But if you are afraid

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 to go down,

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 go down to the camp

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 with Purah, your servant,

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 and you shall hear

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 what they say,

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 and afterward your hands

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 shall be strengthened

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 to go down

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 against the camp.

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 Then Gideon went down

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 with Purah, his servant,

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 to the outposts

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 of the armed men

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 who were in the camp.

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 And the Midianites

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 and the Amalekites

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 and all the people

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 of the east

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 lay along the valley

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 like locusts in abundance.

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 And their camels

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 were without number

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 as the sand

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 that is on the shore,

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 the seashore in abundance.

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 When Gideon came,

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 behold,

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 a man was telling

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 a dream to his comrade.

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 And he said,

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 Behold,

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 I dreamed a dream.

00:13:59.199 --> 00:13:59.599
 And behold,

00:13:59.659 --> 00:14:00.819
 a cake of barley,

00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:02.559
 barley tumbled

00:14:02.559 --> 00:14:03.739
 into the camp of Midian.

00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:05.199
 And it came to the tent

00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.439
 and struck it

00:14:06.439 --> 00:14:07.500
 so that it fell.

00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:09.080
 It turned it upside down

00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:10.600
 so the tent lay flat.

00:14:11.379 --> 00:14:12.340
 And his comrade answered,

00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:14.220
 This is no other

00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:15.399
 than the sword of Gideon,

00:14:15.480 --> 00:14:16.419
 the son of Joash,

00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:17.580
 a man of Israel.

00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:18.679
 God has given

00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.460
 into his hand

00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:21.019
 Midian in all the camp.

00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:22.799
 Now,

00:14:22.980 --> 00:14:24.759
 God commands Gideon

00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:25.860
 to arise

00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.159
 and go down

00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.799
 against the Midianites.

00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.759
 Then he adds,

00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:33.120
 But if you are afraid,

00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:36.179
 there's an extraordinary

00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.319
 amount of mercy

00:14:37.319 --> 00:14:38.179
 and gentleness

00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.099
 in those words.

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.719
 And Gideon is afraid.

00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:43.719
 Of course he is.

00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:44.819
 He's about to lead

00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:46.099
 300 men

00:14:46.099 --> 00:14:48.399
 against 135,000.

00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:50.179
 And we'll learn later

00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.539
 that his own brothers

00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:52.439
 had been killed

00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:53.459
 in conflict

00:14:53.459 --> 00:14:54.479
 with the Midianites.

00:14:55.439 --> 00:14:56.159
 Yes, Gideon

00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:56.739
 had received

00:14:56.739 --> 00:14:57.939
 direct revelation

00:14:57.939 --> 00:14:59.699
 and repeated signs,

00:14:59.839 --> 00:15:01.659
 but we should be slow

00:15:01.659 --> 00:15:02.319
 to criticize

00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.699
 the fear of a man

00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:04.659
 who's actually

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.699
 stepping forward

00:15:05.699 --> 00:15:06.759
 in obedience.

00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:08.959
 Our merciful Lord

00:15:08.959 --> 00:15:09.799
 does not mock

00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.120
 or chastise him.

00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.519
 He gives Gideon

00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:14.059
 one more encouragement.

00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.980
 Go down with Purah

00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.059
 and listen.

00:15:18.439 --> 00:15:18.719
 Now,

00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:20.579
 to feel the strangeness

00:15:20.579 --> 00:15:21.959
 of what Gideon overhears,

00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:23.719
 let me let you

00:15:23.719 --> 00:15:24.839
 imagine it this way.

00:15:25.199 --> 00:15:25.319
 Okay?

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.559
 Soldier One says,

00:15:26.799 --> 00:15:27.860
 I had a dream.

00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.579
 A day-old bagel

00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.299
 rolled out of

00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:31.759
 a kindergartner's lunchbox

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.659
 towards the Pentagon.

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:34.699
 It bounced over the curb,

00:15:34.879 --> 00:15:35.539
 hit the building,

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.559
 and the whole Pentagon

00:15:36.559 --> 00:15:37.319
 collapsed.

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:38.939
 And Soldier Two answers,

00:15:39.299 --> 00:15:40.019
 Well, that can only

00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.779
 mean one thing.

00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:42.059
 God's given the Pentagon

00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.259
 and all its strength

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.899
 into the hand

00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.679
 of Kevin Jones,

00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.459
 a kindergartner

00:15:45.459 --> 00:15:46.579
 living in Pentagon City.

00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.079
 Right?

00:15:48.240 --> 00:15:49.039
 That's roughly

00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:50.039
 how absurd

00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.000
 the dream

00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:52.059
 and its interpretation

00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:53.319
 must have sounded.

00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:55.719
 A loaf of barley bread,

00:15:55.819 --> 00:15:57.039
 which is the food

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:57.720
 of the poor,

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.139
 topples the tent

00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:00.039
 of mighty Midian,

00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:01.379
 and the Midianite soldier

00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:02.439
 immediately knows

00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.679
 it's Gideon's victory.

00:16:05.039 --> 00:16:05.879
 But think

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:08.120
 of all the sovereign mercy

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:08.819
 that's packed

00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:09.959
 into that moment.

00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:11.419
 Right?

00:16:11.459 --> 00:16:12.240
 It's obvious

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.319
 that that fear

00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.599
 was already spreading

00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:15.799
 through the camp

00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:16.699
 of the Midianites.

00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:19.419
 God directs Gideon

00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.000
 and Pura

00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.039
 to exactly

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.099
 the right place

00:16:22.099 --> 00:16:23.219
 at the right time

00:16:23.219 --> 00:16:24.740
 to hear this dream.

00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:28.080
 And then Gideon's fears

00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:29.680
 are comforted

00:16:29.680 --> 00:16:31.879
 by hearing the fears

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:33.320
 of another soldier.

00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:37.080
 Then verse 15 happens.

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.519
 It says,

00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:39.820
 As soon as Gideon

00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:40.460
 heard the telling

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:40.960
 of the dream

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.320
 and its interpretation,

00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:44.000
 he worshipped.

00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.220
 And he returned

00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.180
 to the camp of Israel

00:16:47.180 --> 00:16:47.500
 and said,

00:16:47.759 --> 00:16:48.419
 Arise,

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.180
 for the Lord

00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:50.039
 has given the host

00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.500
 of Midian

00:16:50.500 --> 00:16:51.360
 into your hand.

00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.639
 Now,

00:16:53.039 --> 00:16:54.759
 the Lord's merciful rule

00:16:54.759 --> 00:16:55.919
 in Gideon's fear

00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:58.379
 produces two right results.

00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.639
 The first is worship.

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:02.259
 Gideon bows

00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.800
 before Yahweh.

00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.279
 And remarkably,

00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:08.700
 this is the only place

00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:09.559
 in Judges

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.920
 where this verb

00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:11.980
 describes

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.259
 an Israelite

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.339
 bowing down

00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:15.880
 before the Lord.

00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:17.360
 Elsewhere,

00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.200
 it's all used

00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.860
 to describe

00:17:18.860 --> 00:17:19.559
 the Israelites

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.460
 bowing down

00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.860
 before false gods.

00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.160
 But the second thing

00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.299
 that the Lord's

00:17:25.299 --> 00:17:26.799
 merciful care produces

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.940
 is a faith

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.140
 that obeys.

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:30.319
 Right?

00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:31.100
 Gideon returns

00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:31.600
 to camp,

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.340
 announces,

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.299
 The Lord has given

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:34.019
 it into our hands

00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:35.120
 and calls the men

00:17:35.120 --> 00:17:35.640
 to battle.

00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:38.140
 We see that

00:17:38.140 --> 00:17:39.620
 Gideon's worship

00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:41.019
 fuels his obedience.

00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:44.100
 And Gideon's obedience

00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:46.039
 reflects the sincerity

00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:46.799
 of his worship.

00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:49.779
 You know,

00:17:49.779 --> 00:17:50.259
 God's people

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.639
 do not have to be fearless.

00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:54.639
 But we do have to obey.

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.460
 So,

00:17:56.619 --> 00:17:58.039
 when fear rises

00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:59.299
 and it will,

00:18:00.099 --> 00:18:00.240
 right,

00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.859
 remember the Lord's patience,

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:03.420
 the Lord's mercy.

00:18:04.279 --> 00:18:04.920
 Bring your fear

00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:06.200
 honestly to him.

00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.779
 Receive strength

00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.819
 through his word,

00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.180
 through his acts

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.119
 of providence.

00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.500
 And then,

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.700
 come and bow

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:14.759
 and worship

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.639
 before him

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:17.559
 and let that worship

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.319
 fuel the next step

00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.919
 of obedience.

00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:23.339
 The third thing

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:23.759
 to see,

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.639
 the Lord rules

00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:26.940
 over our enemies.

00:18:27.659 --> 00:18:28.799
 The Lord rules

00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:30.179
 over our enemies.

00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.519
 Starting in

00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.480
 verse 16,

00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:34.660
 And Gideon divided

00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.660
 the 300 men

00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:36.640
 into three companies

00:18:36.640 --> 00:18:37.860
 and put trumpets

00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:38.500
 into the hands

00:18:38.500 --> 00:18:39.319
 of all of them

00:18:39.319 --> 00:18:40.579
 and empty jars

00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.220
 with torches

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.220
 inside the jars.

00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.380
 And he said to them,

00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:44.180
 Look at me

00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.180
 and do likewise.

00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:46.420
 When I come

00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.079
 to the outskirts

00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.539
 of the camp,

00:18:47.640 --> 00:18:48.380
 do as I do.

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:49.120
 When I blow

00:18:49.120 --> 00:18:49.620
 the trumpet,

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.440
 I and all

00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.180
 who are with me,

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.500
 then blow the trumpets

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.799
 also on every side

00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.519
 of all the camp

00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.940
 and shout,

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:55.819
 For the Lord

00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.759
 and for Gideon!

00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.160
 So Gideon

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.980
 and the 100 men

00:18:58.980 --> 00:18:59.579
 who were with him

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.579
 came to the outskirts

00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:01.099
 of the camp

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.079
 at the beginning

00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:03.119
 of the middle watch.

00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.339
 When they had just

00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.160
 set the watch

00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:06.879
 and they blew the trumpets

00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:08.160
 and smashed the jars

00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:09.140
 that were in their hands,

00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.740
 then the three companies

00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.660
 blew the trumpets

00:19:11.660 --> 00:19:12.720
 and broke the jars.

00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:13.759
 They held in their

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.220
 left hands

00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:14.740
 the torches

00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.559
 and in their right hands

00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:16.220
 the trumpets

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.740
 to blow

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:17.819
 and they cried out,

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:19.379
 A sword for the Lord

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.460
 and for Gideon!

00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:23.099
 Now we're not told

00:19:23.099 --> 00:19:25.579
 whether God gave Gideon

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.379
 the details

00:19:26.379 --> 00:19:27.419
 for this battle plan

00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:27.859
 or not,

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.980
 but we do know

00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:29.679
 that the men

00:19:29.679 --> 00:19:30.339
 are obedient.

00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.079
 They go down

00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.500
 to fight against the camp

00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.779
 and it's worth noting

00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.720
 the irony

00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:37.299
 of their battle cry,

00:19:37.619 --> 00:19:38.899
 A sword for the Lord

00:19:38.899 --> 00:19:39.759
 and for Gideon

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.599
 because at that moment

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.139
 they don't have

00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:42.699
 a free hand

00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:43.419
 for a sword.

00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:44.980
 They're holding a torch

00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.740
 and they're holding

00:19:45.740 --> 00:19:46.259
 a trumpet.

00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:49.359
 But look what happens

00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.819
 in verse 21.

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.240
 Every man stood

00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.859
 in his place

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:54.679
 around the camp

00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:56.660
 and all the army ran.

00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:57.880
 They cried out

00:19:57.880 --> 00:19:58.480
 and fled.

00:19:59.180 --> 00:19:59.740
 When they blew

00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.940
 the 300 trumpets

00:20:00.940 --> 00:20:01.620
 the Lord set

00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.740
 every man's sword

00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:04.100
 against his comrade

00:20:04.100 --> 00:20:05.779
 and against all the army.

00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.720
 Now notice verse 21.

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.279
 It's astonishing.

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.880
 Every man stood

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.680
 in his place

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.660
 around the camp

00:20:14.660 --> 00:20:16.860
 and all the army ran.

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:19.160
 Now picture it with me,

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:19.440
 okay?

00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.039
 300 Israelites

00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.340
 surround a camp

00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:24.480
 of roughly 135,000.

00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.299
 Again,

00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:27.259
 one Israelite soldier

00:20:27.259 --> 00:20:30.139
 for 450 Midianite soldiers.

00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:31.839
 At midnight,

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:33.879
 the darkness explodes

00:20:33.879 --> 00:20:35.199
 with shattering pottery,

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.579
 blazing torches,

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.980
 trumpet blasts,

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.819
 a war cry

00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.039
 from every direction.

00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:41.619
 The Midianite soldiers

00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.639
 pour from their tents

00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:43.659
 with swords in hand.

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.480
 They're unable

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.959
 to clearly understand

00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:46.879
 what's going on

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:48.299
 or what's the size

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.480
 of the attacking force

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.620
 and panic begins

00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.360
 to take over.

00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.799
 They just begin striking

00:20:52.799 --> 00:20:53.940
 the men nearest them.

00:20:54.380 --> 00:20:55.000
 The camp fills

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.640
 with shouting

00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.599
 and with running

00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.720
 and clashing steel

00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.980
 and blood and terror

00:20:58.980 --> 00:21:00.019
 and yet,

00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.160
 the Israelites

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.480
 stand in their place.

00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:04.539
 They don't charge

00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:05.299
 into the camp.

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:05.940
 Matter of fact,

00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:06.920
 they can't even

00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.740
 draw their swords.

00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:09.460
 While everyone

00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.480
 inside the camp

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.440
 moves in terror,

00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.579
 God's people

00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.860
 stand their ground

00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.839
 in faith.

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.880
 Midian has weapons

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.980
 but no clarity.

00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:20.039
 Israel has no sword

00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.559
 in hand

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.799
 but the promise

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.660
 of God.

00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.259
 And the Lord

00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.120
 set every man's sword

00:21:26.120 --> 00:21:27.480
 against his comrade.

00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.579
 You see,

00:21:28.660 --> 00:21:29.519
 Israel's task

00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:30.480
 was not to make

00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.539
 the victory happen.

00:21:32.079 --> 00:21:32.960
 They were to obey,

00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.620
 to hold their place,

00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:36.019
 to watch the Lord

00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.180
 do what only

00:21:37.180 --> 00:21:38.079
 he could do.

00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.460
 So the survivors flee.

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.819
 Other tribes

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:43.059
 join in the pursuit.

00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:44.420
 Ephraim captures

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.440
 Oreb and Zeb

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.400
 and the victory

00:21:46.400 --> 00:21:47.400
 that God promised

00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.840
 becomes a miraculous

00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.019
 reality.

00:21:51.820 --> 00:21:52.019
 You see,

00:21:52.100 --> 00:21:54.340
 we also have enemies,

00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:54.980
 don't we?

00:21:56.560 --> 00:21:57.840
 Ephesians 6.12

00:21:57.840 --> 00:21:58.580
 reminds us

00:21:58.580 --> 00:21:59.360
 that our struggle

00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.540
 is not ultimately

00:22:00.540 --> 00:22:02.160
 against flesh and blood

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.700
 but against spiritual

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.820
 forces of evil.

00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.540
 1 Peter 5.8

00:22:07.540 --> 00:22:08.420
 warns us

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:09.600
 that our adversary,

00:22:09.800 --> 00:22:10.280
 the devil,

00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:11.500
 prowls around

00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.960
 like a roaring lion

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.060
 seeking someone

00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.720
 to devour.

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.339
 Now maybe this morning

00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:19.039
 your spiritual enemies

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:21.140
 seem as innumerable

00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.759
 and insurmountable

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:24.400
 as those of Midian.

00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:26.200
 Perhaps you've fought

00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.319
 the same temptation

00:22:27.319 --> 00:22:28.200
 so long

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:29.420
 that you feel like

00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.680
 you're just hiding

00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:32.420
 in a spiritual winepress

00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.660
 trying to survive.

00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.720
 Let me call you

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.779
 to hear again

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:38.660
 the Lord's words

00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.460
 to Gideon.

00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.779
 The Lord

00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.640
 is with you.

00:22:43.819 --> 00:22:44.100
 Now,

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.220
 when the excuses

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.319
 rise,

00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.279
 and they will,

00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.640
 you're too weak,

00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.980
 you're too afraid,

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.400
 you're too outnumbered,

00:22:51.420 --> 00:22:51.900
 you've failed

00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.880
 too many times.

00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:54.759
 Remember the Lord's words.

00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:56.559
 I will be with you.

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.160
 Colossians 2.15

00:22:59.160 --> 00:23:00.000
 says that

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.860
 through Christ

00:23:00.860 --> 00:23:02.279
 God has disarmed

00:23:02.279 --> 00:23:02.940
 the rulers

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:03.799
 and authorities

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.840
 and put them

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:06.100
 to open shame

00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.359
 by triumphing

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.019
 over them

00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.679
 in Him.

00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.039
 Amen.

00:23:12.179 --> 00:23:13.359
 So do not

00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.519
 give up the fight.

00:23:15.779 --> 00:23:17.039
 Stand your ground.

00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.139
 The decisive victory

00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:20.399
 has already been won

00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:21.139
 in Christ.

00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:24.079
 Our greatest danger,

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.500
 though,

00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:26.139
 so often

00:23:26.139 --> 00:23:26.939
 is not

00:23:26.939 --> 00:23:28.000
 from the enemies

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.079
 outside us.

00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:30.819
 And as we move

00:23:30.819 --> 00:23:31.839
 into Judges 8,

00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:32.579
 it's going to turn

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.259
 our attention

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.400
 to the enemies

00:23:34.400 --> 00:23:34.879
 within.

00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.140
 The fourth thing

00:23:37.140 --> 00:23:37.980
 we want to see,

00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.799
 the Lord rules

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.900
 by exposing

00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.579
 the idols

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.299
 of the heart.

00:23:42.879 --> 00:23:44.119
 The Lord rules

00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.180
 by exposing

00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:45.940
 the idols

00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.680
 of the heart.

00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:47.519
 Now,

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:48.319
 the anonymous

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:49.299
 prophet's message

00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.000
 at the beginning

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:51.000
 of Judges 6

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.640
 really could provide

00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.579
 the theological

00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.279
 framework

00:23:54.279 --> 00:23:55.400
 for all

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:56.779
 of Gideon's story.

00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.379
 Yahweh remains

00:23:58.379 --> 00:23:59.279
 unwaveringly

00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.400
 faithful to save

00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.440
 and Israel

00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.480
 persistently

00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.240
 refuses to

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:03.779
 to hear

00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.799
 and to fear

00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:05.500
 and to remember

00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.160
 and to worship

00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:06.940
 him rightly.

00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.160
 So in some ways,

00:24:09.400 --> 00:24:10.120
 the Lord really

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:11.039
 has been revealing

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.779
 the idols

00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:12.319
 of the heart

00:24:12.319 --> 00:24:13.420
 throughout the entire

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.579
 story of Gideon.

00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.319
 But chapter 8

00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:17.339
 brings several

00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.019
 of those idols

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.079
 into especially

00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.460
 sharp focus.

00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.120
 The first is

00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.559
 the idol

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:23.559
 of recognition.

00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:24.880
 The idol

00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:25.779
 of recognition.

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.420
 Follow along

00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.099
 as I read

00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.500
 in chapter 8

00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:30.079
 starting with

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:30.759
 verse 1.

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:32.660
 Then the men

00:24:32.660 --> 00:24:33.220
 of Ephraim

00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.759
 said to him,

00:24:34.240 --> 00:24:34.980
 What is this

00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.960
 you have done

00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:36.599
 to us?

00:24:36.920 --> 00:24:37.920
 Not to call us

00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.359
 when you went

00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:38.799
 to fight

00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.579
 against Midian?

00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:41.140
 And they accused

00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.940
 him fiercely.

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.279
 And Gideon

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.759
 said to them,

00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.099
 What have I done

00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.059
 now in comparison

00:24:46.059 --> 00:24:46.640
 with you?

00:24:47.140 --> 00:24:48.299
 Is not the gleaning

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.859
 of the grapes

00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:49.500
 of Ephraim

00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.379
 better than the

00:24:50.379 --> 00:24:51.140
 grape harvest

00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.900
 of Abiezar?

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:53.920
 God has given

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.480
 into your hands

00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.140
 the princes

00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.700
 of Midian,

00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.980
 Oreb and Zeb.

00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:57.820
 What have I

00:24:57.820 --> 00:24:58.580
 been able to do

00:24:58.580 --> 00:24:59.200
 in comparison

00:24:59.200 --> 00:24:59.860
 with you?

00:25:00.800 --> 00:25:01.540
 Then their anger

00:25:01.540 --> 00:25:02.180
 against him

00:25:02.180 --> 00:25:03.120
 subsided when

00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:03.900
 he said this.

00:25:04.860 --> 00:25:06.100
 So the tribe

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:06.519
 of Ephraim

00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.360
 takes personal

00:25:07.360 --> 00:25:08.900
 offense that Gideon

00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.920
 began the battle

00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:10.740
 without them.

00:25:11.540 --> 00:25:12.920
 But the deeper

00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:14.940
 issue is a longing

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:15.880
 for recognition.

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.840
 Now remember,

00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.519
 the tribe of Ephraim

00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.059
 was not originally

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.619
 summoned by the

00:25:22.619 --> 00:25:23.539
 Spirit of the Lord

00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:24.680
 when he clothed

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.519
 Gideon and called

00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.420
 out the tribes.

00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.619
 And it was only

00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.519
 later that they

00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.180
 were called to

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.240
 join in the pursuit.

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.900
 And although they

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.680
 do capture

00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.539
 Oreb and Zeb,

00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:34.379
 they're still

00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.740
 complaining fiercely

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.779
 that Gideon

00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.660
 had not included

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:38.319
 them sooner.

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:41.339
 So Gideon

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:42.639
 answers wisely

00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:44.180
 and calms

00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:45.059
 the conflict,

00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:47.019
 but he does

00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.099
 not clearly

00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.180
 redirect their

00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:49.940
 hearts to the

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:50.860
 Lord's glory.

00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.480
 We see Ephraim

00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:55.100
 placated more

00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:55.960
 than corrected.

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.460
 Gideon actually

00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.060
 assures them

00:25:58.060 --> 00:25:59.019
 they had indeed

00:25:59.019 --> 00:26:00.380
 received significant

00:26:00.380 --> 00:26:01.019
 honor and

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.600
 recognition.

00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:03.340
 And I think

00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.120
 as a result,

00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.400
 we'll see that

00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:06.340
 same craving

00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.240
 for recognition

00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:09.240
 reemerge in

00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:10.259
 Ephraim in

00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:10.920
 Judges chapter

00:26:10.920 --> 00:26:11.420
 12.

00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.080
 You see,

00:26:13.160 --> 00:26:13.640
 God's just

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.519
 miraculously

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.820
 delivered Israel,

00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.019
 yet Ephraim's

00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:18.299
 preoccupied with

00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.740
 their own

00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.379
 recognition.

00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.000
 How often do

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.680
 we see that

00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:23.419
 same idol

00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:24.139
 at work in

00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:24.480
 our own

00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.879
 lives?

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.039
 Right?

00:26:26.079 --> 00:26:26.779
 It tells us

00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.539
 we deserve

00:26:27.539 --> 00:26:28.359
 to be noticed,

00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:29.680
 to be included,

00:26:29.859 --> 00:26:30.759
 to be appreciated,

00:26:30.919 --> 00:26:31.759
 to be valued.

00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:33.399
 You can often

00:26:33.399 --> 00:26:34.720
 detect it by

00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.480
 how easily

00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:36.200
 you're hurt

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:37.220
 when you feel

00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.579
 like you've

00:26:37.579 --> 00:26:38.139
 been overlooked

00:26:38.139 --> 00:26:39.039
 in some way.

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.039
 The idol of

00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.559
 recognition

00:26:41.559 --> 00:26:42.519
 steals our

00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:42.980
 joy.

00:26:43.539 --> 00:26:44.279
 It makes it

00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.079
 difficult for us

00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:45.960
 to thank God

00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.480
 for what he

00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.559
 does apart

00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.039
 from our

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.619
 involvement.

00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.079
 Or to

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.960
 worship when

00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.500
 he uses

00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.500
 someone else

00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.099
 to do

00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:53.539
 something.

00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:55.159
 Or simply

00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.599
 just to

00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:56.319
 rejoice with

00:26:56.319 --> 00:26:56.740
 those who

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.240
 rejoice.

00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:59.079
 You see,

00:26:59.179 --> 00:26:59.899
 instead of

00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.579
 asking,

00:27:00.859 --> 00:27:01.639
 how has God

00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:02.679
 been glorified,

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.099
 the idol of

00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:04.619
 recognition

00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:05.639
 leads us to

00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.000
 ask,

00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:06.839
 did anyone

00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.460
 notice me?

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.720
 The second

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.399
 idol is the

00:27:12.399 --> 00:27:12.799
 idol of

00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.339
 security.

00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.839
 The idol

00:27:14.839 --> 00:27:15.480
 of security.

00:27:15.659 --> 00:27:16.019
 Continuing

00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.639
 with verse

00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.059
 four.

00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:17.859
 It says,

00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.299
 And Gideon

00:27:18.299 --> 00:27:18.659
 came to

00:27:18.659 --> 00:27:19.059
 the Jordan

00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.559
 and crossed

00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.000
 over.

00:27:20.439 --> 00:27:20.859
 He and the

00:27:20.859 --> 00:27:21.199
 three hundred

00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:21.699
 men who

00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:22.039
 were with

00:27:22.039 --> 00:27:22.299
 him,

00:27:22.639 --> 00:27:23.119
 exhausted,

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.019
 yet pursuing.

00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:24.819
 So he

00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.119
 said to

00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.379
 the men

00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:25.819
 of Succoth,

00:27:25.899 --> 00:27:26.859
 Please give

00:27:26.859 --> 00:27:27.359
 loaves of

00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.699
 bread to

00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:28.000
 the people

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.399
 who follow

00:27:28.399 --> 00:27:28.579
 me,

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:28.859
 for they

00:27:28.859 --> 00:27:29.639
 are exhausted

00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:30.339
 and I'm

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:30.659
 pursuing

00:27:30.659 --> 00:27:31.399
 after Ziba

00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:32.139
 and Zalmunna,

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.779
 the kings

00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.419
 of Midian.

00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.319
 And the

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.019
 officials of

00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.299
 Succoth

00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.559
 said,

00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.359
 Are the

00:27:36.359 --> 00:27:37.059
 hands of

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:37.379
 Ziba

00:27:37.379 --> 00:27:38.039
 and Zalmunna

00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.959
 already in

00:27:38.959 --> 00:27:39.480
 your hand?

00:27:39.699 --> 00:27:40.119
 That we

00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.500
 should give

00:27:40.500 --> 00:27:40.939
 bread to

00:27:40.939 --> 00:27:42.439
 your army?

00:27:43.339 --> 00:27:44.139
 So Gideon

00:27:44.139 --> 00:27:44.399
 said,

00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.220
 Well then,

00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.119
 when the

00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:46.519
 Lord has

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.799
 given

00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.220
 Ziba and

00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:47.619
 Zalmunna

00:27:47.619 --> 00:27:47.939
 into my

00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:48.119
 hand,

00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:48.519
 I will

00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.299
 flail your

00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:49.859
 flesh with

00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:50.299
 the thorns

00:27:50.299 --> 00:27:50.579
 of the

00:27:50.579 --> 00:27:50.919
 wilderness

00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.399
 and with

00:27:51.399 --> 00:27:51.959
 briars.

00:27:52.699 --> 00:27:53.039
 And from

00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.359
 there,

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.000
 he went up

00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.519
 to Penuel

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.439
 and spoke

00:27:55.439 --> 00:27:55.799
 to them

00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:56.039
 in the

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.639
 same way.

00:27:56.959 --> 00:27:57.220
 And the

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.500
 men of

00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:57.799
 Penuel

00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.359
 answered

00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:58.939
 him as

00:27:58.939 --> 00:27:59.220
 the men

00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.639
 of Succoth

00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.159
 had answered.

00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:00.879
 And he

00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.139
 said to

00:28:01.139 --> 00:28:01.519
 the men

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.220
 of Penuel,

00:28:02.419 --> 00:28:02.779
 When I

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.279
 come again

00:28:03.279 --> 00:28:03.899
 in peace,

00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:04.419
 I will

00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:05.059
 break down

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.720
 this tower.

00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.399
 Now,

00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.980
 the fears

00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.639
 of the

00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.000
 people of

00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.319
 Succoth

00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:10.799
 and Penuel

00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.759
 are really

00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:14.559
 after seven

00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:15.019
 years of

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.839
 devastation,

00:28:16.179 --> 00:28:16.659
 bread is

00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.159
 precious.

00:28:18.179 --> 00:28:18.919
 And if you

00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:19.399
 look at your

00:28:19.399 --> 00:28:19.699
 map,

00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.079
 you'll see

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.699
 they're a lot

00:28:20.699 --> 00:28:21.419
 closer to

00:28:21.419 --> 00:28:21.740
 Midian.

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.139
 They've already

00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.019
 understood what

00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:24.539
 it's like to

00:28:24.539 --> 00:28:25.439
 face the wrath

00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:26.459
 and the

00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.539
 retribution of

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:27.919
 Midian.

00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.799
 But it's

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.199
 real.

00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:31.359
 And let's

00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:32.019
 just be honest,

00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:32.939
 Gideon is

00:28:32.939 --> 00:28:34.079
 in some ways

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.659
 ridiculously

00:28:34.659 --> 00:28:35.579
 asking them

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.119
 to support

00:28:36.119 --> 00:28:37.419
 300 exhausted

00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.119
 men who

00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.939
 are pursuing

00:28:38.939 --> 00:28:39.679
 an army at

00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:40.179
 this point of

00:28:40.179 --> 00:28:40.679
 at least

00:28:40.679 --> 00:28:41.839
 15,000.

00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:43.740
 So the

00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:44.199
 fear is

00:28:44.199 --> 00:28:44.899
 understandable,

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.740
 but it

00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.159
 becomes

00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:48.139
 idolatrous

00:28:48.139 --> 00:28:49.759
 when security

00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.699
 becomes more

00:28:50.699 --> 00:28:51.799
 important than

00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.740
 faithfulness.

00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.339
 You see,

00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:54.939
 the reasoning

00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:56.059
 is essentially

00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.500
 our judgment

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.039
 about what

00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.500
 will keep

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.119
 us safe

00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.059
 is more

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.679
 trustworthy

00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.799
 than what

00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.199
 God has

00:29:02.199 --> 00:29:03.220
 said or

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.639
 what God

00:29:03.639 --> 00:29:04.240
 is visibly

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.839
 doing.

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:06.939
 So fear

00:29:06.939 --> 00:29:07.659
 drives them

00:29:07.659 --> 00:29:08.819
 to self-protection.

00:29:09.179 --> 00:29:09.819
 It keeps

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.279
 them from

00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.220
 trusting God's

00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:11.660
 provision,

00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:13.200
 his protection.

00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.240
 It causes

00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.640
 them to

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.799
 actually stand

00:29:15.799 --> 00:29:17.000
 aside from

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.519
 the Lord's

00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.980
 work.

00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.600
 In addition

00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.000
 to that,

00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:20.839
 they speak

00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:22.360
 harshly to

00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:22.900
 their own

00:29:22.900 --> 00:29:23.420
 faithful

00:29:23.420 --> 00:29:24.000
 brothers.

00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:26.740
 Now the

00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.980
 same idol

00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.559
 grows in

00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.960
 us when

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.860
 fear convinces

00:29:30.860 --> 00:29:31.380
 us that

00:29:31.380 --> 00:29:32.079
 preserving

00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.980
 ourselves is

00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.680
 more important

00:29:33.680 --> 00:29:34.420
 than trusting

00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:35.480
 and obeying

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.059
 God,

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.640
 often assuming

00:29:37.640 --> 00:29:38.460
 we can judge

00:29:38.460 --> 00:29:39.180
 what is safest

00:29:39.180 --> 00:29:40.079
 for us better

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.579
 than God

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:40.939
 can.

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.319
 And so

00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:42.819
 the idol

00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.460
 of security

00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.099
 makes us

00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:44.879
 clutch and

00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.439
 cling to

00:29:45.439 --> 00:29:45.779
 what we

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.220
 have.

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.099
 It makes

00:29:48.099 --> 00:29:48.919
 us suspicious

00:29:48.919 --> 00:29:50.079
 rather than

00:29:50.079 --> 00:29:51.659
 faithful and

00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:52.039
 it often

00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.720
 leads us to

00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.119
 criticize any

00:29:54.119 --> 00:29:55.079
 obedience that

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.939
 threatens our

00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.439
 comfort.

00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.159
 Now,

00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.819
 biblical wisdom

00:29:59.819 --> 00:30:00.419
 is not

00:30:00.419 --> 00:30:01.259
 recklessness,

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.000
 but neither

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:04.859
 is safety

00:30:04.859 --> 00:30:05.740
 our highest

00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.259
 good.

00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.480
 The Lord

00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.079
 should be.

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.860
 The second

00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.380
 idol,

00:30:11.620 --> 00:30:12.039
 the third

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:12.819
 idol that

00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.339
 we can see

00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:13.860
 is the

00:30:13.860 --> 00:30:14.279
 idol of

00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.319
 self-importance.

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.460
 The idol

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.660
 of self-importance.

00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:18.839
 Now,

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.460
 Gideon

00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:20.420
 pursues and

00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:21.000
 defeats the

00:30:21.000 --> 00:30:22.299
 remaining 15,000

00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.620
 men.

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.640
 He captures

00:30:23.640 --> 00:30:24.140
 Ziba and

00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.000
 Zalmunna and

00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.720
 returns to

00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.420
 Succoth with a

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.940
 list of its

00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:28.460
 77 officials.

00:30:29.120 --> 00:30:29.620
 And for the

00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:30.180
 sake of time,

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.519
 we're going to

00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:31.220
 skip to verse

00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:31.839
 15.

00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:32.880
 It says,

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.380
 And Gideon

00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:33.900
 came to the

00:30:33.900 --> 00:30:34.160
 men of

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:34.580
 Succoth and

00:30:34.580 --> 00:30:34.900
 he said,

00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.800
 Behold,

00:30:36.220 --> 00:30:36.780
 Ziba and

00:30:36.780 --> 00:30:37.440
 Zalmunna,

00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.340
 about whom you

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:38.880
 taunted me,

00:30:38.920 --> 00:30:39.080
 saying,

00:30:39.340 --> 00:30:40.000
 Are the hands

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:40.600
 of Ziba and

00:30:40.600 --> 00:30:41.120
 Zalmunna

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:41.740
 already in

00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.340
 your hand,

00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.840
 that we

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.180
 should give

00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:43.680
 bread to

00:30:43.680 --> 00:30:44.060
 your men

00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:44.280
 who are

00:30:44.280 --> 00:30:44.760
 exhausted?

00:30:45.320 --> 00:30:45.900
 And he

00:30:45.900 --> 00:30:46.200
 took the

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.640
 elders of

00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:47.040
 the city,

00:30:47.200 --> 00:30:47.500
 and he

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.080
 took thorns

00:30:48.080 --> 00:30:48.380
 of the

00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:48.740
 wilderness,

00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.840
 and briars,

00:30:50.040 --> 00:30:50.480
 and with

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.200
 them taught

00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:51.760
 the men

00:30:51.760 --> 00:30:52.240
 of Succoth

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:52.760
 a lesson.

00:30:53.820 --> 00:30:54.520
 And he

00:30:54.520 --> 00:30:55.040
 broke down

00:30:55.040 --> 00:30:55.580
 the tower

00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:56.100
 of Penuel

00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:57.360
 and killed

00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.160
 the men

00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:58.920
 of the city.

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:00.860
 Then he

00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.280
 said to

00:31:01.280 --> 00:31:01.700
 Ziba and

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.220
 Zalmunna,

00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:03.380
 Where are

00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:03.840
 the men

00:31:03.840 --> 00:31:04.600
 you killed

00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.240
 at Tabor?

00:31:06.260 --> 00:31:06.480
 They

00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:06.800
 answered,

00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:07.660
 As you

00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:07.960
 are,

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.520
 so were

00:31:08.520 --> 00:31:08.760
 they.

00:31:09.060 --> 00:31:09.580
 Every one

00:31:09.580 --> 00:31:09.840
 of them

00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.300
 resembled

00:31:10.300 --> 00:31:10.720
 the son

00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:10.960
 of a

00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.280
 king.

00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:12.860
 And Gideon

00:31:12.860 --> 00:31:13.180
 said,

00:31:13.520 --> 00:31:13.900
 They were

00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.640
 my brothers,

00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:15.700
 the sons

00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.080
 of my

00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:16.440
 mother.

00:31:16.860 --> 00:31:17.340
 As the

00:31:17.340 --> 00:31:17.800
 Lord lives,

00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.140
 if you

00:31:18.140 --> 00:31:18.600
 had saved

00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:19.000
 them alive,

00:31:19.060 --> 00:31:19.320
 I would

00:31:19.320 --> 00:31:19.820
 not kill

00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.100
 you.

00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.140
 So he

00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.560
 said to

00:31:21.560 --> 00:31:21.920
 Jether,

00:31:22.020 --> 00:31:22.660
 his firstborn,

00:31:22.920 --> 00:31:23.600
 Rise and

00:31:23.600 --> 00:31:24.180
 kill them.

00:31:24.780 --> 00:31:25.120
 But the

00:31:25.120 --> 00:31:25.560
 young man

00:31:25.560 --> 00:31:25.920
 did not

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.400
 draw his

00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:26.760
 sword,

00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.100
 for he

00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:27.840
 was afraid

00:31:27.840 --> 00:31:29.020
 because he

00:31:29.020 --> 00:31:29.420
 was still

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:29.780
 a young

00:31:29.780 --> 00:31:30.220
 man.

00:31:31.060 --> 00:31:31.320
 Then

00:31:31.320 --> 00:31:31.760
 Ziba and

00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:32.140
 Zalmunna

00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:32.400
 said,

00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.759
 Rise

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.500
 yourself

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:33.940
 and fall

00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.480
 upon us,

00:31:34.740 --> 00:31:34.980
 for as

00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.380
 the man

00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:35.580
 is,

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.000
 so is

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.180
 his

00:31:36.180 --> 00:31:36.700
 strength.

00:31:37.540 --> 00:31:38.120
 And Gideon

00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:38.700
 arose and

00:31:38.700 --> 00:31:39.080
 killed

00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:39.640
 Ziba and

00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:40.160
 Zalmunna,

00:31:40.300 --> 00:31:40.680
 and he

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.080
 took the

00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:41.420
 crescent

00:31:41.420 --> 00:31:41.880
 ornaments

00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:42.440
 that were

00:31:42.440 --> 00:31:42.680
 on the

00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.060
 necks of

00:31:43.060 --> 00:31:43.220
 their

00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.720
 camels.

00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.200
 Now

00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.680
 Gideon's

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.120
 growing

00:31:46.120 --> 00:31:47.019
 sense of

00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.120
 self-importance

00:31:48.120 --> 00:31:49.500
 appears as

00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:49.980
 he treats

00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:50.780
 failure to

00:31:50.780 --> 00:31:51.360
 support his

00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:52.700
 leadership as

00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:53.200
 a personal

00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:53.759
 offense,

00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:55.080
 deserving

00:31:55.080 --> 00:31:55.759
 punishment,

00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.540
 in effect

00:31:56.540 --> 00:31:56.900
 saying,

00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.580
 Those who

00:31:57.580 --> 00:31:57.900
 will not

00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.620
 stand with

00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.380
 me will

00:31:59.380 --> 00:32:00.080
 answer to

00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.380
 me.

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.760
 But

00:32:01.760 --> 00:32:02.600
 there's a

00:32:02.600 --> 00:32:03.060
 painful

00:32:03.060 --> 00:32:04.000
 irony to

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.980
 observe here.

00:32:06.020 --> 00:32:06.420
 Gideon's

00:32:06.420 --> 00:32:07.240
 own leadership

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.060
 has been

00:32:08.060 --> 00:32:09.140
 sustained from

00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:09.840
 beginning to

00:32:09.840 --> 00:32:10.640
 end by

00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:11.560
 extraordinary

00:32:11.560 --> 00:32:12.300
 mercy.

00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.800
 The people

00:32:13.800 --> 00:32:14.160
 of these

00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:15.360
 cities feared

00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:16.060
 many of the

00:32:16.060 --> 00:32:16.660
 same things

00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.540
 Gideon had

00:32:17.540 --> 00:32:17.980
 feared.

00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:18.760
 Right?

00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:19.280
 Midian's

00:32:19.280 --> 00:32:19.720
 overwhelming

00:32:19.720 --> 00:32:20.340
 strength,

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.300
 the cost of

00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:21.780
 resistance,

00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.820
 whether victory

00:32:22.820 --> 00:32:23.360
 would really

00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:23.780
 come.

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.039
 But they

00:32:25.039 --> 00:32:25.879
 didn't have

00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.779
 the same

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.000
 benefit of

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.359
 direct

00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:29.279
 revelation and

00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:29.759
 repeated

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.720
 reassurance that

00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.220
 Gideon had

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:31.779
 received.

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.000
 So we see

00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.940
 Gideon, the

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.460
 man who

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.680
 needed abundant

00:32:36.680 --> 00:32:37.420
 mercy and

00:32:37.420 --> 00:32:39.079
 patience, now

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.079
 shows little of

00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.259
 either towards

00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:42.019
 other fearful

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:42.639
 people.

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.779
 Brothers and

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.240
 sisters, we

00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:47.399
 must remember

00:32:47.399 --> 00:32:48.460
 the mercy God

00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:49.500
 has shown us.

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.259
 And we

00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:52.559
 must especially

00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.500
 remember it when

00:32:53.500 --> 00:32:54.240
 dealing with the

00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.059
 weaknesses of

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.599
 others.

00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.119
 It also

00:32:58.119 --> 00:32:58.740
 appears that

00:32:58.740 --> 00:32:59.700
 Gideon begins

00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.559
 to confuse

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.680
 being graciously

00:33:01.680 --> 00:33:02.900
 chosen by God

00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.559
 with being

00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.140
 personally

00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:04.740
 important.

00:33:05.640 --> 00:33:06.500
 His position

00:33:06.500 --> 00:33:07.359
 didn't come

00:33:07.359 --> 00:33:08.000
 from superior

00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:08.900
 courage or

00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.740
 faithfulness,

00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:11.180
 but from God's

00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.259
 gracious choice,

00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:13.299
 mercy, and

00:33:13.299 --> 00:33:14.079
 patience with

00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.380
 him.

00:33:15.019 --> 00:33:15.880
 Yet the

00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.859
 grace that

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.640
 made Gideon

00:33:17.640 --> 00:33:19.380
 useful,

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.859
 increasingly

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:22.579
 becomes a

00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:23.440
 status that he

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.380
 expects others

00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:25.180
 to recognize

00:33:25.180 --> 00:33:26.579
 and support.

00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.299
 Then we see

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.099
 his God-given

00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:31.619
 mission becoming

00:33:31.619 --> 00:33:32.599
 entangled with

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.859
 personal vengeance.

00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.619
 By verses

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.940
 18-21,

00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:37.539
 Gideon

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:38.859
 confirms that

00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.319
 Zeba and

00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:39.740
 Zalmunna

00:33:39.740 --> 00:33:40.359
 killed his

00:33:40.359 --> 00:33:41.079
 brothers, and

00:33:41.079 --> 00:33:41.900
 their execution

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.799
 is tied to

00:33:42.799 --> 00:33:43.259
 his family

00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.400
 grievance or

00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.359
 vindication.

00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:46.940
 So little by

00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.660
 little, God's

00:33:47.660 --> 00:33:48.240
 cause and

00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:49.019
 Gideon's

00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.799
 personal cause

00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.220
 are becoming

00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:51.019
 increasingly

00:33:51.019 --> 00:33:52.059
 difficult to

00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.759
 distinguish.

00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:56.200
 But the

00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.619
 idol of

00:33:56.619 --> 00:33:57.460
 self-importance

00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.480
 does the

00:33:58.480 --> 00:33:59.019
 very same

00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.480
 thing to

00:33:59.480 --> 00:33:59.859
 us.

00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:01.099
 It takes

00:34:01.099 --> 00:34:01.720
 the gifts

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.420
 or the

00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.099
 calling or

00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.720
 the position

00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.400
 or the

00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.139
 influence or

00:34:05.139 --> 00:34:05.779
 the victories

00:34:05.779 --> 00:34:06.680
 that we've

00:34:06.680 --> 00:34:07.400
 received by

00:34:07.400 --> 00:34:08.840
 grace and

00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.500
 turns them

00:34:09.500 --> 00:34:10.199
 into reasons

00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.719
 we think

00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:11.699
 others must

00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:13.019
 recognize us

00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.900
 and trust us

00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.539
 and support

00:34:14.539 --> 00:34:15.360
 and defer

00:34:15.360 --> 00:34:16.039
 to us.

00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.119
 us.

00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:18.119
 We should

00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:19.039
 never confuse

00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:20.139
 being used

00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.059
 by God

00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:21.860
 with being

00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.119
 important in

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:23.400
 and of

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:24.039
 ourselves.

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:25.699
 You see,

00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.199
 the importance

00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:26.719
 of the work

00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.539
 he entrusts

00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:28.279
 to us

00:34:28.279 --> 00:34:28.880
 does not

00:34:28.880 --> 00:34:29.639
 transfer into

00:34:29.639 --> 00:34:30.159
 personal

00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:30.880
 significance

00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:31.880
 that others

00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.940
 must recognize.

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:34.559
 And we

00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.519
 must guard

00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:36.719
 against allowing

00:34:36.719 --> 00:34:38.099
 God's cause

00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.699
 to become

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:39.539
 entangled with

00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:40.019
 our own

00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:41.219
 reputation or

00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:41.880
 our own

00:34:41.880 --> 00:34:42.739
 grievances or

00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.360
 our own

00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.059
 desire for

00:34:44.059 --> 00:34:44.800
 vindication

00:34:44.800 --> 00:34:46.220
 because it's

00:34:46.220 --> 00:34:47.120
 dangerously

00:34:47.120 --> 00:34:47.980
 easy to

00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:49.059
 think we're

00:34:49.059 --> 00:34:50.079
 defending truth,

00:34:50.720 --> 00:34:51.480
 we're defending

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.059
 ministry,

00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:52.780
 we're defending

00:34:52.780 --> 00:34:53.320
 the church,

00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.059
 we're defending

00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:54.740
 God,

00:34:55.140 --> 00:34:55.740
 when in

00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.760
 reality we're

00:34:56.760 --> 00:34:57.440
 just defending

00:34:57.440 --> 00:34:58.180
 ourselves.

00:34:59.920 --> 00:35:00.980
 So we must

00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:02.059
 ask ourselves,

00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:03.440
 am I seeking

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:04.400
 the honor of

00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:06.519
 Christ or

00:35:06.519 --> 00:35:07.240
 just the

00:35:07.240 --> 00:35:08.059
 vindication of

00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.400
 my own

00:35:08.400 --> 00:35:08.900
 name?

00:35:11.140 --> 00:35:11.940
 The fourth

00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.680
 idol,

00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:14.120
 is the idol

00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:15.000
 of spiritual

00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:15.920
 experience.

00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:17.039
 The idol

00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:17.559
 of spiritual

00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.340
 experience.

00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.280
 Starting in

00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:20.140
 verse 22,

00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:20.800
 it says,

00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.360
 Then the men

00:35:21.360 --> 00:35:21.800
 of Israel

00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.260
 said to

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:22.559
 Gideon,

00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.480
 rule over

00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:23.780
 us,

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.660
 you and

00:35:24.660 --> 00:35:25.280
 your son

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:25.599
 and your

00:35:25.599 --> 00:35:25.960
 grandson

00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:26.440
 also,

00:35:26.820 --> 00:35:27.280
 for you

00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:27.940
 have saved

00:35:27.940 --> 00:35:28.380
 us from

00:35:28.380 --> 00:35:28.760
 the hand

00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.280
 of Midian.

00:35:30.180 --> 00:35:30.539
 Gideon

00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:30.880
 said to

00:35:30.880 --> 00:35:30.980
 them,

00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.320
 I will

00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:31.880
 not rule

00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.360
 over you

00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:32.860
 and my

00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.360
 son will

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:33.840
 not rule

00:35:33.840 --> 00:35:34.280
 over you,

00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.079
 the Lord

00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:35.620
 will rule

00:35:35.620 --> 00:35:36.260
 over you.

00:35:37.140 --> 00:35:37.680
 And Gideon

00:35:37.680 --> 00:35:38.019
 said to

00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:38.140
 them,

00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:38.460
 let me

00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:38.920
 make a

00:35:38.920 --> 00:35:39.300
 request

00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:39.620
 of you,

00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.320
 every one

00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:40.680
 of you,

00:35:41.059 --> 00:35:41.400
 give me

00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:42.019
 the earrings

00:35:42.019 --> 00:35:42.539
 from his

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:42.960
 spoil.

00:35:43.360 --> 00:35:43.820
 For they

00:35:43.820 --> 00:35:44.320
 had golden

00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:45.140
 earrings because

00:35:45.140 --> 00:35:45.480
 they were

00:35:45.480 --> 00:35:46.400
 Ishmaelites.

00:35:47.120 --> 00:35:47.579
 And they

00:35:47.579 --> 00:35:47.880
 answered,

00:35:48.000 --> 00:35:48.340
 we will

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:49.120
 willingly give

00:35:49.120 --> 00:35:49.400
 them.

00:35:49.680 --> 00:35:49.960
 And they

00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.539
 spread out a

00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:50.980
 cloak and

00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.400
 every man

00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.079
 threw in

00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.360
 at the

00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:52.900
 earrings of

00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.440
 his spoil.

00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.039
 And the

00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:54.400
 weight of

00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:54.760
 the golden

00:35:54.760 --> 00:35:55.539
 earrings that

00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:56.220
 he requested

00:35:56.220 --> 00:35:57.760
 was 1,700

00:35:57.760 --> 00:35:58.620
 shekels of

00:35:58.620 --> 00:35:59.000
 gold.

00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:00.059
 Besides the

00:36:00.059 --> 00:36:00.400
 crescent

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.059
 ornaments and

00:36:01.059 --> 00:36:01.700
 the pendants

00:36:01.700 --> 00:36:02.220
 and the

00:36:02.220 --> 00:36:02.900
 purple garments

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.579
 worn by the

00:36:03.579 --> 00:36:04.079
 kings of

00:36:04.079 --> 00:36:04.579
 Midian and

00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:05.559
 besides the

00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:06.180
 collars that

00:36:06.180 --> 00:36:06.519
 were around

00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.039
 the necks of

00:36:07.039 --> 00:36:07.720
 their camels.

00:36:07.719 --> 00:36:09.039
 And Gideon

00:36:09.039 --> 00:36:09.459
 made an

00:36:09.459 --> 00:36:10.119
 ephod of

00:36:10.119 --> 00:36:10.859
 it and

00:36:10.859 --> 00:36:11.319
 put it in

00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:11.799
 his city

00:36:11.799 --> 00:36:12.439
 in Ophrah.

00:36:13.179 --> 00:36:13.519
 And all

00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:13.959
 Israel

00:36:13.959 --> 00:36:14.639
 whored after

00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:15.199
 it there and

00:36:15.199 --> 00:36:16.079
 it became a

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.500
 snare to

00:36:16.500 --> 00:36:17.000
 Gideon and

00:36:17.000 --> 00:36:17.500
 to his

00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:17.980
 family.

00:36:18.939 --> 00:36:19.319
 So Midian

00:36:19.319 --> 00:36:20.039
 was subdued

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:20.500
 before the

00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:20.939
 people of

00:36:20.939 --> 00:36:21.500
 Israel and

00:36:21.500 --> 00:36:22.199
 they raised

00:36:22.199 --> 00:36:22.639
 their heads

00:36:22.639 --> 00:36:23.779
 no more and

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.299
 the land had

00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:25.279
 rest for 40

00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:25.959
 years in the

00:36:25.959 --> 00:36:26.419
 days of

00:36:26.419 --> 00:36:26.859
 Gideon.

00:36:27.579 --> 00:36:28.259
 So now we're

00:36:28.259 --> 00:36:28.859
 back to where

00:36:28.859 --> 00:36:29.500
 we began.

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.319
 Israel gives

00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:32.139
 Gideon the

00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:33.500
 glory that

00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:34.119
 belongs to

00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:34.659
 the Lord.

00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.539
 You have

00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:36.459
 saved us.

00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.780
 They elevate

00:36:37.780 --> 00:36:38.659
 the instrument

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.740
 above the

00:36:39.740 --> 00:36:40.240
 God who

00:36:40.240 --> 00:36:40.940
 used him.

00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:41.940
 And they

00:36:41.940 --> 00:36:43.019
 seek permanent

00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.900
 hereditary

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:44.599
 protection.

00:36:45.220 --> 00:36:45.599
 This is

00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.079
 working out

00:36:46.079 --> 00:36:46.619
 great for

00:36:46.619 --> 00:36:46.800
 us.

00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.340
 So you,

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.079
 your son,

00:36:48.199 --> 00:36:48.639
 your grandson,

00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:49.039
 you just

00:36:49.039 --> 00:36:49.480
 keep doing

00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:49.800
 that.

00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:51.519
 And we

00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.119
 see Gideon

00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:53.079
 answer rightly.

00:36:54.179 --> 00:36:54.639
 I will

00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.440
 not rule

00:36:55.440 --> 00:36:56.099
 over you.

00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:57.159
 The Lord

00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.740
 will rule

00:36:57.740 --> 00:36:58.360
 over you.

00:37:00.420 --> 00:37:01.220
 But then

00:37:01.220 --> 00:37:01.720
 comes the

00:37:01.720 --> 00:37:02.159
 ephod.

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.840
 Now I'm

00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.119
 going to be

00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.400
 honest.

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.179
 Commentators

00:37:06.179 --> 00:37:07.440
 differ widely

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.359
 about Gideon's

00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:08.699
 motives.

00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:09.779
 And the

00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.539
 text doesn't

00:37:10.539 --> 00:37:11.579
 explicitly tell

00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:11.919
 us.

00:37:12.799 --> 00:37:13.599
 But I

00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.199
 think the

00:37:14.199 --> 00:37:15.179
 details point

00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.739
 us in this

00:37:15.739 --> 00:37:16.319
 direction.

00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:17.599
 Think about

00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:17.940
 it.

00:37:18.500 --> 00:37:18.839
 Throughout

00:37:18.839 --> 00:37:19.799
 chapters 6

00:37:19.799 --> 00:37:20.500
 and 7,

00:37:20.859 --> 00:37:21.179
 Gideon

00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:21.899
 enjoys

00:37:21.899 --> 00:37:22.960
 extraordinary

00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:24.059
 direct

00:37:24.059 --> 00:37:25.039
 guidance from

00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.440
 God.

00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:26.940
 The angel

00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:27.279
 of the

00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:28.119
 Lord comes

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.539
 and speaks

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:28.799
 to him

00:37:28.799 --> 00:37:29.239
 face to

00:37:29.239 --> 00:37:29.619
 face.

00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:29.859
 There's

00:37:29.859 --> 00:37:30.500
 miraculous

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:31.119
 signs.

00:37:31.279 --> 00:37:31.399
 There's

00:37:31.399 --> 00:37:31.859
 repeated

00:37:31.859 --> 00:37:32.299
 divine

00:37:32.299 --> 00:37:32.799
 speech.

00:37:32.899 --> 00:37:33.079
 There's

00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.739
 the fleece.

00:37:33.839 --> 00:37:33.960
 There's

00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.539
 even the

00:37:34.539 --> 00:37:35.159
 providential

00:37:35.159 --> 00:37:35.679
 dream in

00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:35.799
 the

00:37:35.799 --> 00:37:36.239
 Midianite

00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:36.759
 camp.

00:37:37.559 --> 00:37:38.519
 But after

00:37:38.519 --> 00:37:39.420
 Judges 7

00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:40.079
 9,

00:37:40.980 --> 00:37:41.339
 there's

00:37:41.339 --> 00:37:41.779
 no

00:37:41.779 --> 00:37:42.559
 recorded

00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.119
 word from

00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:43.500
 the Lord

00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.039
 to Gideon

00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:44.440
 again.

00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:48.519
 That silence

00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.039
 must have

00:37:49.039 --> 00:37:49.839
 been deafening.

00:37:52.000 --> 00:37:52.259
 And then

00:37:52.259 --> 00:37:53.119
 elsewhere in

00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.440
 Scripture,

00:37:53.839 --> 00:37:54.599
 we see that

00:37:54.599 --> 00:37:55.199
 the priestly

00:37:55.179 --> 00:37:55.819
 The ephod

00:37:55.819 --> 00:37:56.839
 is connected

00:37:56.839 --> 00:37:57.299
 with the

00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.019
 God-appointed

00:37:58.019 --> 00:37:58.859
 priesthood

00:37:58.859 --> 00:37:59.739
 and with

00:37:59.739 --> 00:38:00.440
 seeking the

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:00.779
 Lord's

00:38:00.779 --> 00:38:01.259
 direction.

00:38:01.879 --> 00:38:02.159
 In your

00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:02.819
 listening guide,

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:03.639
 there's several

00:38:03.639 --> 00:38:04.500
 passages there

00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:04.840
 about the

00:38:04.840 --> 00:38:05.159
 ephod.

00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:05.460
 You could

00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:05.940
 look up

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:06.760
 if you'd

00:38:06.760 --> 00:38:07.079
 like to

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.500
 read some

00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:07.780
 more.

00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:09.340
 But because

00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:09.639
 of that,

00:38:09.699 --> 00:38:10.139
 I think it's

00:38:10.139 --> 00:38:11.659
 plausible that

00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:12.579
 Gideon wanted

00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.500
 a continuing

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.320
 means to

00:38:14.320 --> 00:38:15.340
 access God's

00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:15.820
 guidance.

00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.360
 What one

00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:18.019
 commentator

00:38:18.019 --> 00:38:18.719
 fitly calls,

00:38:18.980 --> 00:38:19.420
 he wants a

00:38:19.420 --> 00:38:19.780
 permanent

00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.460
 fleece.

00:38:21.780 --> 00:38:22.539
 I think the

00:38:22.539 --> 00:38:23.280
 location is

00:38:23.280 --> 00:38:24.139
 important too,

00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:24.639
 right?

00:38:24.679 --> 00:38:25.219
 Because Gideon

00:38:25.219 --> 00:38:25.860
 puts it in

00:38:25.860 --> 00:38:26.380
 Ophrah.

00:38:26.760 --> 00:38:27.599
 And remember,

00:38:27.940 --> 00:38:28.380
 that's the

00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:28.820
 place where

00:38:28.820 --> 00:38:30.159
 God first

00:38:30.159 --> 00:38:30.739
 appeared to

00:38:30.739 --> 00:38:31.159
 Gideon.

00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:32.900
 Where God

00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.780
 miraculously

00:38:33.780 --> 00:38:34.579
 accepts his

00:38:34.579 --> 00:38:35.059
 offering.

00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:36.079
 Where God

00:38:36.079 --> 00:38:36.920
 speaks peace

00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:37.480
 to him and

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.320
 where Gideon

00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.900
 builds the

00:38:38.900 --> 00:38:39.599
 altar that he

00:38:39.599 --> 00:38:40.139
 calls the

00:38:40.139 --> 00:38:40.579
 Lord is

00:38:40.579 --> 00:38:41.079
 peace.

00:38:42.300 --> 00:38:43.180
 So as a

00:38:43.180 --> 00:38:43.539
 result,

00:38:43.740 --> 00:38:44.740
 I believe

00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:45.559
 Gideon may

00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:45.820
 have been

00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.380
 trying to

00:38:46.380 --> 00:38:47.579
 preserve or

00:38:47.579 --> 00:38:49.019
 restore direct

00:38:49.019 --> 00:38:50.099
 access to the

00:38:50.099 --> 00:38:50.500
 Lord.

00:38:51.039 --> 00:38:52.119
 And if that's

00:38:52.119 --> 00:38:53.320
 true, we

00:38:53.320 --> 00:38:54.220
 might perhaps

00:38:54.220 --> 00:38:54.680
 hear an

00:38:54.680 --> 00:38:55.320
 unspoken

00:38:55.320 --> 00:38:56.000
 addition to

00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.599
 his words.

00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.340
 The Lord

00:38:57.340 --> 00:38:58.400
 will rule over

00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:58.840
 you and

00:38:58.840 --> 00:38:59.880
 perhaps I can

00:38:59.880 --> 00:39:00.760
 continue to be a

00:39:00.760 --> 00:39:01.480
 conduit of his

00:39:01.480 --> 00:39:01.980
 direction.

00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:04.719
 Now, even

00:39:04.719 --> 00:39:05.699
 assuming the

00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.559
 very best of

00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:06.980
 Gideon's

00:39:06.980 --> 00:39:08.099
 intentions, the

00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.719
 problem is

00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:09.960
 nonetheless very

00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:10.639
 serious.

00:39:11.500 --> 00:39:12.179
 Because God

00:39:12.179 --> 00:39:12.699
 had already

00:39:12.699 --> 00:39:13.740
 established how

00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:14.800
 his people were

00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:15.440
 to approach

00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.179
 him through

00:39:16.179 --> 00:39:17.000
 the tabernacle,

00:39:17.280 --> 00:39:17.639
 through the

00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.099
 priesthood,

00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:18.460
 through the

00:39:18.460 --> 00:39:18.980
 means that

00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:19.699
 God had

00:39:19.699 --> 00:39:20.179
 appointed.

00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:21.539
 And no

00:39:21.539 --> 00:39:22.500
 matter how

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.740
 much failure

00:39:23.740 --> 00:39:24.400
 the priests

00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:24.719
 or the

00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:26.000
 Levites were

00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.880
 guilty of at

00:39:26.880 --> 00:39:27.480
 this time,

00:39:27.619 --> 00:39:28.240
 it didn't

00:39:28.240 --> 00:39:29.240
 give Gideon

00:39:29.240 --> 00:39:30.179
 the right to

00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:31.000
 create an

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:31.360
 alternate

00:39:31.360 --> 00:39:32.019
 system.

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:33.980
 That there's

00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.519
 never a good

00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:35.159
 reason to

00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:35.840
 seek God

00:39:35.840 --> 00:39:36.400
 or to

00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:37.059
 worship God

00:39:37.059 --> 00:39:37.400
 in a way

00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:37.639
 that's

00:39:37.639 --> 00:39:38.280
 contrary to

00:39:38.280 --> 00:39:38.800
 his word.

00:39:39.920 --> 00:39:40.699
 So instead

00:39:40.699 --> 00:39:41.480
 of allowing

00:39:41.480 --> 00:39:42.059
 God to

00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:43.159
 determine how

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.559
 his people

00:39:43.559 --> 00:39:44.239
 approach him,

00:39:44.579 --> 00:39:45.260
 Gideon builds

00:39:45.260 --> 00:39:45.820
 a religious

00:39:45.820 --> 00:39:47.199
 practice around

00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:47.980
 the place and

00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.800
 the experience

00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:49.480
 that were

00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:50.019
 personally

00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:50.940
 meaningful to

00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.420
 him.

00:39:51.659 --> 00:39:53.139
 And whether

00:39:53.139 --> 00:39:53.920
 intended or

00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:55.000
 not, the

00:39:55.000 --> 00:39:56.119
 result draws

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:57.039
 Israel away

00:39:57.039 --> 00:39:57.639
 from the

00:39:57.639 --> 00:39:58.039
 legitimate

00:39:58.039 --> 00:39:59.360
 sanctuary and

00:39:59.360 --> 00:39:59.940
 the legitimate

00:39:59.940 --> 00:40:01.539
 priesthood and

00:40:01.539 --> 00:40:02.260
 Israel hoard

00:40:02.260 --> 00:40:02.880
 after the

00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:03.360
 ephod.

00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:04.940
 You see, the

00:40:04.940 --> 00:40:05.639
 desire for

00:40:05.639 --> 00:40:06.599
 extraordinary

00:40:06.599 --> 00:40:07.240
 spiritual

00:40:07.240 --> 00:40:08.460
 experience becomes

00:40:08.460 --> 00:40:09.300
 a substitute

00:40:09.300 --> 00:40:10.480
 for ordinary

00:40:10.480 --> 00:40:11.940
 dependence and

00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:13.380
 obedience to

00:40:13.380 --> 00:40:13.820
 the Lord.

00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.659
 And in turn,

00:40:15.760 --> 00:40:16.320
 it tells us the

00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.139
 very thing Gideon

00:40:17.139 --> 00:40:18.400
 makes becomes a

00:40:18.400 --> 00:40:19.340
 snare to him

00:40:19.340 --> 00:40:20.380
 and to his

00:40:20.380 --> 00:40:20.860
 family.

00:40:22.220 --> 00:40:23.139
 And I think

00:40:23.139 --> 00:40:23.900
 that danger

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:24.900
 remains for

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:26.260
 us, right?

00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:27.500
 Because it's

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:28.980
 so easy for us

00:40:28.980 --> 00:40:29.539
 to begin to

00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:30.699
 treat yesterday's

00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:31.400
 dramatic

00:40:31.400 --> 00:40:33.039
 experience as

00:40:33.039 --> 00:40:34.380
 more real than

00:40:34.380 --> 00:40:35.340
 today's reading

00:40:35.340 --> 00:40:35.900
 of God's

00:40:35.900 --> 00:40:36.219
 word.

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.599
 We can easily

00:40:38.599 --> 00:40:39.480
 come to believe

00:40:39.480 --> 00:40:40.480
 that an intense

00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:42.000
 feeling is more

00:40:42.000 --> 00:40:43.440
 trustworthy than

00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:45.000
 ordinary obedience.

00:40:45.659 --> 00:40:46.840
 Or to think

00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:47.820
 that we have to

00:40:47.820 --> 00:40:48.460
 come up with

00:40:48.460 --> 00:40:49.059
 some special

00:40:49.059 --> 00:40:50.320
 method to draw

00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:51.199
 near to God

00:40:51.199 --> 00:40:51.920
 beyond the

00:40:51.920 --> 00:40:52.860
 means that he

00:40:52.860 --> 00:40:53.300
 has given.

00:40:53.300 --> 00:40:54.980
 But the Lord

00:40:54.980 --> 00:40:56.079
 rules his people

00:40:56.079 --> 00:40:57.340
 by his word

00:40:57.340 --> 00:40:58.159
 and prayer,

00:40:58.500 --> 00:40:59.000
 through his

00:40:59.000 --> 00:40:59.539
 spirit,

00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.400
 and through

00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:01.179
 consistent

00:41:01.179 --> 00:41:02.539
 communion with

00:41:02.539 --> 00:41:03.079
 the people of

00:41:03.079 --> 00:41:03.460
 God.

00:41:04.619 --> 00:41:05.159
 We don't

00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:06.079
 honor the

00:41:06.079 --> 00:41:06.500
 Lord by

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:07.519
 chasing spiritual

00:41:07.519 --> 00:41:08.460
 experiences,

00:41:08.960 --> 00:41:09.699
 some emotional

00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.759
 spiritual highs,

00:41:11.219 --> 00:41:12.019
 but by

00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:13.440
 faithful daily

00:41:13.440 --> 00:41:14.900
 obedience through

00:41:14.900 --> 00:41:15.719
 the means that

00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:16.719
 he has prescribed

00:41:16.719 --> 00:41:17.480
 in his word.

00:41:19.539 --> 00:41:20.380
 So the fifth

00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.179
 point, fifth and

00:41:21.179 --> 00:41:21.759
 final point,

00:41:22.099 --> 00:41:22.880
 the Lord rules

00:41:22.880 --> 00:41:23.579
 through the

00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:24.340
 better king.

00:41:24.340 --> 00:41:25.579
 The Lord rules

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:26.180
 through the

00:41:26.180 --> 00:41:26.940
 better king.

00:41:27.539 --> 00:41:28.360
 Continuing in

00:41:28.360 --> 00:41:29.240
 verse 29,

00:41:29.840 --> 00:41:30.600
 says Jeroboel,

00:41:30.700 --> 00:41:31.200
 the son of

00:41:31.200 --> 00:41:31.920
 Joash, went

00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.539
 and lived in

00:41:32.539 --> 00:41:33.380
 his own house.

00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:34.480
 Now Gideon

00:41:34.480 --> 00:41:35.640
 had 70 sons,

00:41:36.100 --> 00:41:36.440
 his own

00:41:36.440 --> 00:41:37.220
 offspring, for

00:41:37.220 --> 00:41:37.740
 he had many

00:41:37.740 --> 00:41:38.340
 wives.

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.400
 And his

00:41:39.400 --> 00:41:40.059
 concubine, who

00:41:40.059 --> 00:41:40.700
 was in Shechem,

00:41:40.820 --> 00:41:41.500
 also bore him

00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:42.740
 a son, and he

00:41:42.740 --> 00:41:43.320
 called his name

00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:44.039
 Abimelech.

00:41:44.720 --> 00:41:45.380
 And Gideon,

00:41:45.460 --> 00:41:45.960
 the son of

00:41:45.960 --> 00:41:46.640
 Joash, died

00:41:46.640 --> 00:41:47.240
 in a good old

00:41:47.240 --> 00:41:47.780
 age and was

00:41:47.780 --> 00:41:48.360
 buried in the

00:41:48.360 --> 00:41:49.340
 tomb of Joash's

00:41:49.340 --> 00:41:50.360
 father at

00:41:50.360 --> 00:41:51.559
 Ophrah of the

00:41:51.559 --> 00:41:52.559
 Abiezarites.

00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:54.699
 As soon as

00:41:54.699 --> 00:41:55.440
 Gideon died,

00:41:56.079 --> 00:41:56.599
 the people of

00:41:56.599 --> 00:41:57.299
 Israel turned

00:41:57.299 --> 00:41:57.880
 again and

00:41:57.880 --> 00:41:58.599
 whored after

00:41:58.599 --> 00:41:59.739
 the Baals and

00:41:59.739 --> 00:42:00.460
 made Baal

00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.079
 Beareth their

00:42:01.079 --> 00:42:01.519
 God.

00:42:02.179 --> 00:42:02.599
 And the people

00:42:02.599 --> 00:42:03.400
 of Israel did

00:42:03.400 --> 00:42:04.159
 not remember

00:42:04.159 --> 00:42:04.739
 the Lord their

00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:05.259
 God who had

00:42:05.259 --> 00:42:05.860
 delivered them

00:42:05.860 --> 00:42:06.619
 from the hand

00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:07.119
 of all their

00:42:07.119 --> 00:42:07.639
 enemies on

00:42:07.639 --> 00:42:08.360
 every side.

00:42:09.199 --> 00:42:09.679
 And they did

00:42:09.679 --> 00:42:10.039
 not show

00:42:10.039 --> 00:42:10.940
 steadfast love

00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:11.799
 to the family

00:42:11.799 --> 00:42:12.460
 of Jeroboel,

00:42:12.539 --> 00:42:13.500
 that is Gideon,

00:42:13.759 --> 00:42:14.539
 in return for

00:42:14.539 --> 00:42:15.360
 all the good

00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:15.779
 that he had

00:42:15.779 --> 00:42:16.679
 done to Israel.

00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:18.299
 Now I want

00:42:18.299 --> 00:42:18.820
 to just point

00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:19.860
 back to verse

00:42:19.860 --> 00:42:21.079
 28 briefly,

00:42:21.079 --> 00:42:21.619
 because it

00:42:21.619 --> 00:42:22.319
 says the

00:42:22.319 --> 00:42:22.840
 land had

00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:23.400
 rest for

00:42:23.400 --> 00:42:24.579
 40 years in

00:42:24.579 --> 00:42:25.159
 the days of

00:42:25.159 --> 00:42:25.559
 Gideon.

00:42:26.219 --> 00:42:26.639
 And it's

00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:27.380
 worth noting

00:42:27.380 --> 00:42:28.199
 that this is

00:42:28.199 --> 00:42:29.259
 the last time

00:42:29.259 --> 00:42:29.940
 in the book

00:42:29.940 --> 00:42:30.799
 of Judges

00:42:30.799 --> 00:42:31.360
 that it

00:42:31.360 --> 00:42:32.259
 records the

00:42:32.259 --> 00:42:33.279
 Lord giving

00:42:33.279 --> 00:42:34.299
 Israel rest.

00:42:35.219 --> 00:42:35.699
 And from

00:42:35.699 --> 00:42:36.079
 here the

00:42:36.079 --> 00:42:37.019
 downward spiral

00:42:37.019 --> 00:42:37.559
 is going to

00:42:37.559 --> 00:42:38.159
 accelerate.

00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.360
 We also need

00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:40.960
 to notice that

00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:41.860
 the dynasty

00:42:41.860 --> 00:42:42.840
 that Gideon

00:42:42.840 --> 00:42:44.039
 verbally rejected

00:42:44.039 --> 00:42:45.119
 seems to

00:42:45.119 --> 00:42:46.019
 emerge anyway.

00:42:46.519 --> 00:42:47.360
 He lives

00:42:47.360 --> 00:42:48.119
 like a king

00:42:48.119 --> 00:42:49.139
 in some of

00:42:49.139 --> 00:42:49.539
 the worst

00:42:49.539 --> 00:42:50.420
 possible ways.

00:42:50.420 --> 00:42:51.139
 He has many

00:42:51.139 --> 00:42:51.740
 wives and

00:42:51.740 --> 00:42:52.680
 70 sons and

00:42:52.680 --> 00:42:53.260
 concubine.

00:42:53.780 --> 00:42:54.320
 He names

00:42:54.320 --> 00:42:55.360
 his concubine's

00:42:55.360 --> 00:42:56.320
 son Abimelech,

00:42:56.480 --> 00:42:56.960
 which means

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:57.920
 my father is

00:42:57.920 --> 00:42:58.320
 king.

00:42:59.780 --> 00:43:00.599
 We also see

00:43:00.599 --> 00:43:01.780
 Israel spirals

00:43:01.780 --> 00:43:02.559
 downward with

00:43:02.559 --> 00:43:02.760
 him.

00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:03.900
 As soon as

00:43:03.900 --> 00:43:04.639
 Gideon dies,

00:43:05.039 --> 00:43:05.420
 they hoard

00:43:05.420 --> 00:43:05.980
 after the

00:43:05.980 --> 00:43:06.980
 Baals and

00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:07.639
 made Baal

00:43:07.639 --> 00:43:08.280
 bareth,

00:43:08.420 --> 00:43:08.940
 which means

00:43:08.940 --> 00:43:09.720
 Lord of the

00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:10.039
 covenant,

00:43:10.539 --> 00:43:11.159
 their God.

00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:13.300
 Verse 34

00:43:13.300 --> 00:43:13.840
 gives us

00:43:13.840 --> 00:43:14.720
 the heart of

00:43:14.720 --> 00:43:15.320
 the tragedy.

00:43:15.539 --> 00:43:16.300
 The people of

00:43:16.300 --> 00:43:17.139
 Israel did not

00:43:17.139 --> 00:43:17.920
 remember the

00:43:17.920 --> 00:43:18.940
 Lord their God

00:43:18.940 --> 00:43:19.280
 who had

00:43:19.280 --> 00:43:20.240
 delivered them.

00:43:20.420 --> 00:43:22.340
 Israel abandons

00:43:22.340 --> 00:43:23.539
 covenant faithfulness

00:43:23.539 --> 00:43:25.059
 to Yahweh to

00:43:25.059 --> 00:43:25.840
 form a covenant

00:43:25.840 --> 00:43:26.720
 with Baal.

00:43:28.680 --> 00:43:29.460
 Gideon's story

00:43:29.460 --> 00:43:30.639
 leaves us longing

00:43:30.639 --> 00:43:31.340
 for a better

00:43:31.340 --> 00:43:31.860
 judge,

00:43:32.360 --> 00:43:33.159
 for a true

00:43:33.159 --> 00:43:33.599
 king.

00:43:35.019 --> 00:43:35.659
 Gideon did

00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:36.440
 real good for

00:43:36.440 --> 00:43:36.740
 Israel,

00:43:36.860 --> 00:43:37.320
 but he could

00:43:37.320 --> 00:43:38.240
 not deliver

00:43:38.240 --> 00:43:39.099
 them from the

00:43:39.099 --> 00:43:40.059
 deepest enemies,

00:43:40.360 --> 00:43:41.260
 their pride,

00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.440
 their rebellion,

00:43:42.800 --> 00:43:43.960
 their self-rule,

00:43:44.280 --> 00:43:45.360
 and the desire

00:43:45.360 --> 00:43:46.019
 to combine

00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:46.740
 whatever seemed

00:43:46.740 --> 00:43:47.720
 useful from the

00:43:47.720 --> 00:43:48.700
 surrounding culture

00:43:48.699 --> 00:43:49.539
 with their

00:43:49.539 --> 00:43:50.539
 worship of God.

00:43:51.819 --> 00:43:52.319
 Gideon's life

00:43:52.319 --> 00:43:53.659
 contains remarkable

00:43:53.659 --> 00:43:55.000
 faithfulness and

00:43:55.000 --> 00:43:56.500
 startling failure,

00:43:57.460 --> 00:43:58.099
 and Israel

00:43:58.099 --> 00:43:59.779
 ends his story

00:43:59.779 --> 00:44:01.219
 spiritually worse

00:44:01.219 --> 00:44:02.480
 than when it

00:44:02.480 --> 00:44:04.199
 began for the

00:44:04.199 --> 00:44:04.939
 first time in

00:44:04.939 --> 00:44:05.379
 Judges.

00:44:06.659 --> 00:44:07.639
 It'll be about

00:44:07.639 --> 00:44:08.919
 a thousand years

00:44:08.919 --> 00:44:10.460
 from that point

00:44:10.460 --> 00:44:11.779
 until the better

00:44:11.779 --> 00:44:13.019
 deliverer Israel

00:44:13.019 --> 00:44:13.559
 needed,

00:44:13.559 --> 00:44:14.460
 and the

00:44:14.460 --> 00:44:15.119
 deliverer that

00:44:15.119 --> 00:44:15.920
 we need

00:44:15.920 --> 00:44:17.400
 enters history.

00:44:17.980 --> 00:44:18.460
 That'll be

00:44:18.460 --> 00:44:18.880
 Jesus,

00:44:19.519 --> 00:44:20.239
 the Son of

00:44:20.239 --> 00:44:20.599
 God.

00:44:21.420 --> 00:44:21.639
 Now,

00:44:21.779 --> 00:44:22.360
 this morning,

00:44:22.539 --> 00:44:23.440
 maybe you found

00:44:23.440 --> 00:44:24.779
 yourself somewhere

00:44:24.779 --> 00:44:25.820
 in Gideon's

00:44:25.820 --> 00:44:26.519
 story.

00:44:27.239 --> 00:44:27.940
 Maybe you know

00:44:27.940 --> 00:44:29.019
 about God,

00:44:29.119 --> 00:44:30.099
 but don't truly

00:44:30.099 --> 00:44:30.799
 know him,

00:44:30.860 --> 00:44:31.900
 or what he's done

00:44:31.900 --> 00:44:32.679
 through Jesus.

00:44:33.820 --> 00:44:34.799
 Maybe you keep

00:44:34.799 --> 00:44:35.500
 returning to

00:44:35.500 --> 00:44:36.159
 patterns of

00:44:36.159 --> 00:44:36.599
 rebellion,

00:44:36.599 --> 00:44:37.799
 and you need to

00:44:37.799 --> 00:44:38.799
 hear the word

00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:39.440
 of the Lord

00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:40.500
 afresh.

00:44:40.500 --> 00:44:42.639
 Maybe you feel

00:44:42.639 --> 00:44:43.059
 weak,

00:44:43.480 --> 00:44:44.159
 or fearful,

00:44:44.400 --> 00:44:45.099
 or hopeless

00:44:45.099 --> 00:44:46.400
 before enemies

00:44:46.400 --> 00:44:47.219
 that seem too

00:44:47.219 --> 00:44:47.820
 strong,

00:44:48.260 --> 00:44:49.119
 or innumerable

00:44:49.119 --> 00:44:49.940
 for you.

00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:51.599
 Or maybe the

00:44:51.599 --> 00:44:52.619
 Lord has exposed

00:44:52.619 --> 00:44:53.480
 an idol in your

00:44:53.480 --> 00:44:53.860
 life,

00:44:54.139 --> 00:44:54.960
 a craving for

00:44:54.960 --> 00:44:55.519
 recognition,

00:44:55.880 --> 00:44:56.719
 a demand for

00:44:56.719 --> 00:44:57.320
 security,

00:44:57.619 --> 00:44:58.420
 a spirit of

00:44:58.420 --> 00:44:59.480
 self-importance,

00:44:59.800 --> 00:45:00.960
 or a pursuit of

00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:02.579
 spiritual experiences

00:45:02.579 --> 00:45:04.000
 that eclipses

00:45:04.000 --> 00:45:04.800
 God's word

00:45:04.800 --> 00:45:05.860
 and ordinary

00:45:05.860 --> 00:45:06.559
 obedience.

00:45:07.260 --> 00:45:07.880
 But wherever

00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:09.079
 you find yourself

00:45:09.079 --> 00:45:09.760
 this morning,

00:45:09.760 --> 00:45:11.220
 our hope can

00:45:11.220 --> 00:45:12.040
 only be found

00:45:12.040 --> 00:45:12.900
 in one place,

00:45:13.380 --> 00:45:14.120
 letting the

00:45:14.120 --> 00:45:14.840
 Lord rule

00:45:14.840 --> 00:45:15.620
 our lives

00:45:15.620 --> 00:45:16.280
 through the

00:45:16.280 --> 00:45:17.140
 better king,

00:45:17.660 --> 00:45:18.560
 King Jesus.

00:45:19.800 --> 00:45:21.040
 So I want to

00:45:21.040 --> 00:45:21.580
 invite you

00:45:21.580 --> 00:45:22.160
 wherever you

00:45:22.160 --> 00:45:22.580
 are this

00:45:22.580 --> 00:45:23.140
 morning to

00:45:23.140 --> 00:45:25.020
 consider coming

00:45:25.020 --> 00:45:26.000
 to Jesus this

00:45:26.000 --> 00:45:26.460
 morning in

00:45:26.460 --> 00:45:27.500
 honest repentance.

00:45:28.900 --> 00:45:29.880
 Just admitting

00:45:29.880 --> 00:45:30.460
 to him the

00:45:30.460 --> 00:45:31.080
 things that you

00:45:31.080 --> 00:45:31.580
 have seen

00:45:31.580 --> 00:45:32.480
 about yourself

00:45:32.480 --> 00:45:34.300
 and asking

00:45:34.300 --> 00:45:35.000
 his forgiveness

00:45:35.000 --> 00:45:35.640
 and committing

00:45:35.640 --> 00:45:36.440
 to turn away

00:45:36.440 --> 00:45:36.960
 from those

00:45:36.960 --> 00:45:37.600
 things.

00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:39.960
 I invite you

00:45:39.960 --> 00:45:40.739
 to renew

00:45:40.739 --> 00:45:41.500
 your commitment

00:45:41.500 --> 00:45:42.500
 to Christ's

00:45:42.500 --> 00:45:43.159
 lordship in

00:45:43.159 --> 00:45:43.799
 your life

00:45:43.799 --> 00:45:45.339
 and to

00:45:45.339 --> 00:45:46.559
 determine that

00:45:46.559 --> 00:45:47.000
 you're going

00:45:47.000 --> 00:45:47.860
 to live in

00:45:47.860 --> 00:45:48.819
 daily dependence

00:45:48.819 --> 00:45:49.619
 on his word

00:45:49.619 --> 00:45:50.179
 and prayer

00:45:50.179 --> 00:45:51.679
 and to make

00:45:51.679 --> 00:45:52.559
 consistent

00:45:52.559 --> 00:45:53.759
 communion with

00:45:53.759 --> 00:45:54.659
 Jesus and his

00:45:54.659 --> 00:45:55.559
 people a

00:45:55.559 --> 00:45:56.239
 priority in

00:45:56.239 --> 00:45:56.860
 your life.

00:45:57.440 --> 00:45:58.480
 It's in doing

00:45:58.480 --> 00:45:59.440
 those things

00:45:59.440 --> 00:46:00.480
 that the Lord

00:46:00.480 --> 00:46:01.779
 will rule over

00:46:01.779 --> 00:46:02.099
 you.

00:46:03.059 --> 00:46:03.900
 So the Lord

00:46:03.900 --> 00:46:04.460
 rules through

00:46:04.460 --> 00:46:05.059
 our weakness,

00:46:05.059 --> 00:46:05.779
 the Lord

00:46:05.779 --> 00:46:06.799
 rules mercifully

00:46:06.799 --> 00:46:07.460
 in our fear,

00:46:07.920 --> 00:46:08.420
 the Lord

00:46:08.420 --> 00:46:08.860
 rules by

00:46:08.860 --> 00:46:09.659
 exposing the

00:46:09.659 --> 00:46:10.139
 idols of

00:46:10.139 --> 00:46:10.900
 our hearts.

00:46:11.900 --> 00:46:12.579
 Let the

00:46:12.579 --> 00:46:13.019
 Lord rule

00:46:13.019 --> 00:46:13.719
 your life

00:46:13.719 --> 00:46:15.259
 through the

00:46:15.259 --> 00:46:15.900
 better king,

00:46:16.440 --> 00:46:17.239
 Jesus Christ.

00:46:17.639 --> 00:46:18.219
 Let's pray.

00:46:21.739 --> 00:46:22.400
 Father, we

00:46:22.400 --> 00:46:22.860
 thank you for

00:46:22.860 --> 00:46:23.279
 your word.

00:46:24.599 --> 00:46:25.440
 We thank you

00:46:25.440 --> 00:46:25.820
 that you have

00:46:25.820 --> 00:46:26.400
 not left us

00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:27.119
 to ourselves,

00:46:28.119 --> 00:46:29.820
 but that you

00:46:29.820 --> 00:46:30.219
 deal so

00:46:30.219 --> 00:46:31.099
 patiently with

00:46:31.099 --> 00:46:31.480
 us.

00:46:32.380 --> 00:46:32.639
 And Father,

00:46:32.639 --> 00:46:33.359
 we confess

00:46:33.359 --> 00:46:35.619
 we are so

00:46:35.619 --> 00:46:36.519
 often inclined

00:46:36.519 --> 00:46:38.619
 to follow

00:46:38.619 --> 00:46:39.099
 the idols

00:46:39.099 --> 00:46:39.420
 of our

00:46:39.420 --> 00:46:39.759
 heart.

00:46:43.279 --> 00:46:43.940
 Father, we

00:46:43.940 --> 00:46:44.359
 pray that

00:46:44.359 --> 00:46:44.980
 even now

00:46:44.980 --> 00:46:46.719
 that you

00:46:46.719 --> 00:46:46.980
 would give

00:46:46.980 --> 00:46:47.679
 us resolve

00:46:47.679 --> 00:46:49.400
 to cast

00:46:49.400 --> 00:46:50.019
 them away,

00:46:51.019 --> 00:46:51.920
 to cling

00:46:51.920 --> 00:46:52.679
 to Christ,

00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:55.219
 to live

00:46:55.219 --> 00:46:55.920
 our lives

00:46:55.920 --> 00:46:57.000
 under the

00:46:57.000 --> 00:46:57.579
 rule of

00:46:57.579 --> 00:46:58.119
 Jesus,

00:46:58.359 --> 00:46:58.839
 our Lord,

00:46:58.840 --> 00:47:00.900
 that we

00:47:00.900 --> 00:47:01.500
 might become

00:47:01.500 --> 00:47:02.059
 a clearer

00:47:02.059 --> 00:47:02.740
 reflection

00:47:02.740 --> 00:47:03.880
 individually

00:47:03.880 --> 00:47:04.600
 and as a

00:47:04.600 --> 00:47:06.019
 church of

00:47:06.019 --> 00:47:06.680
 who Christ

00:47:06.680 --> 00:47:07.160
 is,

00:47:08.519 --> 00:47:09.740
 that we

00:47:09.740 --> 00:47:10.039
 would see

00:47:10.039 --> 00:47:10.460
 more and

00:47:10.460 --> 00:47:10.960
 more people

00:47:10.960 --> 00:47:11.600
 worship him

00:47:11.600 --> 00:47:11.880
 as he

00:47:11.880 --> 00:47:12.420
 deserves.

00:47:13.800 --> 00:47:14.300
 Father,

00:47:14.400 --> 00:47:14.740
 thank you

00:47:14.740 --> 00:47:15.100
 for this

00:47:15.100 --> 00:47:15.380
 day.

00:47:16.420 --> 00:47:16.660
 May you

00:47:16.660 --> 00:47:17.260
 be exalted

00:47:17.260 --> 00:47:17.680
 in our

00:47:17.680 --> 00:47:18.079
 lives.

00:47:18.980 --> 00:47:19.420
 In Jesus'

00:47:19.680 --> 00:47:19.880
 name,

00:47:20.360 --> 00:47:20.640
 amen.

00:47:22.420 --> 00:47:23.039
 Thank you,

00:47:23.120 --> 00:47:23.280
 guys.

00:47:23.519 --> 00:47:23.960
 Have a great

00:47:23.960 --> 00:47:24.200
 day.

00:47:28.840 --> 00:47:58.820
 Thank you.