WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.780 fantastic thank you so much to Jamie for leading us in the first part of our service 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:13.439 thank you so much to Neil and to Rachel that was not an easy reading to deal with 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:20.859 and my deep appreciation for that last week I said that we would see God shown mighty and 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:26.019 weakness perhaps you were there and you saw this slide on the screen and I thought that was a fair 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:34.420 summation for our section this week but as I've read about it read it and talked to others about it 00:00:34.420 --> 00:00:41.299 I've maybe realized that that is a good summary of some of the passage but it takes a back seat 00:00:41.299 --> 00:00:51.620 to the fact that God continues to be shown gracious in folly so if you can forgive my mistake please 00:00:51.619 --> 00:01:00.579 dig in with me as we see what God as we see God again being remarkably gracious to his people 00:01:00.579 --> 00:01:08.539 despite their outrageous folly at almost every turn there are three major themes they're not on the 00:01:08.539 --> 00:01:17.200 screen which go into displaying God's grace despite our folly they're the fact that there is one source 00:01:17.200 --> 00:01:24.140 of victory in God rather than in our strengths and abilities there's one source of guidance 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:32.060 in God rather than in what our world says or what we might think is good and there is one source of 00:01:32.060 --> 00:01:40.960 unity for God's people and that will be found only in God one source of victory one source of guidance and 00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:51.739 one source of unity and you'll see these themes appearing and disappearing at different parts of our passage 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:58.879 as we said it's rather long there's a six point breakdown which ties into each of the sections that 00:01:58.879 --> 00:02:07.299 Neil and Rachel read respectively and so there's too many soldiers and in verses one to eight of chapter 00:02:07.299 --> 00:02:14.800 seven there's these pagan dreams in verses nine to fourteen there's Israel actually being delivered the actual 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:23.539 battle and the pursuit in fifteen to twenty three and then in that weird little section of a chapter seven 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:31.199 twenty four over to eight three we have this odd a dialogue between a Gideon and Ephraim 00:02:31.199 --> 00:02:39.780 then eight four until twenty eight the bulk of chapter eight we see this odd kind of a situation with the 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:48.280 towns of Succoth and Peniel and then finally we get to verse twenty two to twenty eight where we have this 00:02:48.280 --> 00:02:57.159 odd description of Gideon being asked to become king and this rather odd ephod business at the end 00:02:57.159 --> 00:03:05.539 so that that's the the brief overview of where we're going this evening I hope that we'll get 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:11.680 there in relatively good time leading on from last week perhaps you weren't here last week or perhaps 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:19.060 you've forgotten already we saw Gideon raised up rather begrudgingly as a judge he wasn't the most 00:03:19.060 --> 00:03:27.139 willing of volunteers and he's taken from among a battle worshiping family far less than perfect 00:03:27.159 --> 00:03:35.599 circumstances and he has just called up the surrounding tribes of Israel to join him he has a army 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:46.039 around him to expel these Midianite invaders he's just been reassured twice that God is with him that God 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:54.159 will do what he says that he will do and then we come into verses one to eight of chapter seven 00:03:54.159 --> 00:04:01.759 but our first section it's a surprise it's not what we would expect we would expect following this 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:08.159 story along that Gideon went with his army and rode down into the valley and conquered everything before 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:19.159 him but we find God intervening in Gideon's battle preparations Gideon has a serious problem 00:04:19.160 --> 00:04:29.660 he has too many men I certainly have never been in a battle I don't think I've ever been in anything 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:34.600 I don't even think I've particularly been in a fist fight and perhaps I would say something of my 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:42.080 character and if I had been but I don't think there is ever a time or a place where you're in physical 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:50.579 conflict with someone someone or some group other than yourself where you think too many men I won't 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:57.139 bother with that last little group of folk that I could call out to this occasion I'll just go myself 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:07.360 but God has a problem with Gideon's army there are too many men so God gives them two opportunities to 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:15.920 leave the army firstly by their own choice if they are afraid and then by this water test and if you 00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:22.139 want some sort of a visual sense of of how the army stack up here's the relative sizes at the beginning 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:31.080 each of those tiny little squares is 300 people approximately and so you start off with this rather 00:05:31.079 --> 00:05:42.139 uneven battle the Midianites the green massively outnumbering this small army of Israel but God says that this 00:05:42.139 --> 00:05:52.459 isn't good enough and so at the first opportunity that people have to get out of this battle they run in 00:05:52.459 --> 00:06:00.439 their droves 22,000 men leave the army could you imagine being one of the 10,000 left 00:06:00.439 --> 00:06:09.360 if you weren't scared at the beginning certainly you would be terrified now 10,000 against 135,000 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:22.680 and then eventually the one red square 300 men against this colossal army a great deal has been said about 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:30.420 how God has whittled down his people here particularly about that second test perhaps you've heard that 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:38.100 these 300 men are the most alert they're the most tactically aware there's something special about how 00:06:38.100 --> 00:06:44.060 they've drunk the water but as we read the passage I hope that you caught that that doesn't quite fit 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:52.660 with what the test was the test the purpose of these culls to the army are not that God would pick out the 00:06:52.660 --> 00:07:02.140 brightest or the brightest or the best but purely to remove the possibility of Gideon and Israel congratulating 00:07:02.140 --> 00:07:11.520 themselves when God saves them God knows Israel's heart God knows Gideon's heart and he knows each one of our hearts 00:07:11.519 --> 00:07:29.139 he knows what we're like that we are so keen to take the the credit for things that happen we're so keen to appear the hero we're so keen to be able to tell the best story 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:38.219 we want to be able to say we want to be able to claim the victory but there is only one source of victory 00:07:38.219 --> 00:07:45.819 and God is that source yet how often do we come to this passage and we try to congratulate 00:07:45.819 --> 00:07:57.139 Gideon for his brilliance I flicked the internet on a few days ago and started scrolling through sermons and just from the sermon titles 00:07:57.139 --> 00:08:03.779 on this chapter time and time and time again the title was isn't Gideon great 00:08:03.779 --> 00:08:10.659 isn't Israel doing it wonderfully isn't this a fantastic thing that Gideon does 00:08:10.659 --> 00:08:20.219 and I hate to be controversial but that is completely not the point of what happens here the point is that Israel is a complete 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:26.839 underdog and God takes them as an underdog and strips them of all strength 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:31.819 so that nobody else can get the credit but God 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:36.459 and this is our same God 00:08:36.459 --> 00:08:43.699 and perhaps we can bring this idea forward a few thousand years into our lives 00:08:43.699 --> 00:08:48.139 and perhaps there's something of a similarity 00:08:48.139 --> 00:08:54.500 don't we sometimes hear the statistics of Christianity in our society 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:57.019 and we are dismayed 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.460 we hear 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:01.019 I think it's Robert Murdoch who's been 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:04.179 saying it most frequently at least in my hearing 00:09:04.179 --> 00:09:05.039 that 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.220 under 2% 00:09:07.220 --> 00:09:09.600 of Scottish 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:12.439 people are evangelical Christians 00:09:12.440 --> 00:09:19.460 but that's us only outnumbered 98 or 99 people to 1 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:24.100 these Israelites were outnumbered 450 to 1 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:28.720 and yet God chose to win through those people 00:09:28.720 --> 00:09:33.380 if God can relieve his people 00:09:33.380 --> 00:09:36.280 back then against these odds 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:40.519 he's certainly able to relieve his people here and now 00:09:40.519 --> 00:09:44.799 regardless of what government we find ourselves under 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:49.059 regardless of what line we see our nation going down 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:51.100 we may feel weak 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:54.059 and we may feel outnumbered 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:57.179 we may tremble for our lack of strength 00:09:57.179 --> 00:09:59.220 and worry for our little ability 00:09:59.220 --> 00:10:01.139 but our God is able 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.419 even now 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:04.679 but let us be clear 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:06.419 there is only one source of victory 00:10:06.419 --> 00:10:09.039 by God's power working through 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:10.379 broken people 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.659 like you 00:10:11.659 --> 00:10:12.919 and like me 00:10:12.919 --> 00:10:15.339 this strategy 00:10:15.339 --> 00:10:17.579 looks utterly foolish 00:10:17.579 --> 00:10:21.339 and Gideon is dismayed 00:10:21.339 --> 00:10:24.139 but God preempts any of 00:10:24.139 --> 00:10:26.199 Gideon's attempts to make excuses 00:10:26.199 --> 00:10:29.459 he tells Gideon to go 00:10:29.459 --> 00:10:30.639 and to scout out 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:33.000 the camp of Midian 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.720 and this is perhaps one of the strangest parts of our story 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:39.799 did you notice in the reading 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:43.539 that the Midianites are described as both a plague 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:45.759 they're like locusts in the valley 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.620 but they're also 00:10:47.620 --> 00:10:51.980 blessed the same way Israel should be 00:10:51.980 --> 00:10:56.059 did you notice that it said that their camels 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:59.360 outnumber the sand of the sea on the seashore 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:02.580 that was the promise made to Abraham 00:11:02.580 --> 00:11:04.279 of his descendants 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:05.800 of his chosen people 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:11.639 but here is this Israelite deliverer 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:12.259 Gideon 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.759 the one who is 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:15.899 the truly chosen one 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:18.539 he knows what God would have him do 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:21.820 but rather than listening to God 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:24.720 and being confident based on his word 00:11:24.720 --> 00:11:26.840 he hears 00:11:26.840 --> 00:11:30.019 he goes and he hears this improbable dream 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:33.139 and it's impossible interpretation 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:36.680 isn't it funny 00:11:36.680 --> 00:11:40.540 a barley loaf flying into a tent overturning 00:11:40.540 --> 00:11:43.639 it's just completely silly 00:11:43.639 --> 00:11:48.120 but on the basis of these pagan Midianite dreams 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:51.240 Gideon is strengthened to carry out God's will 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:53.220 it just makes no sense 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:56.220 why would Gideon believe 00:11:56.220 --> 00:11:58.039 these dreams 00:11:58.039 --> 00:12:01.039 but not believe what God has said to him several times 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:05.700 was it that this was corroboration 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:07.320 this was somebody else saying it 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.960 and therefore he could kind of take that 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:10.340 I don't know 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:15.320 or was something so messed up in Gideon's mind 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:18.440 that this dream makes more sense 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:19.900 than God speaking to him 00:12:19.900 --> 00:12:24.300 and yet so often we can go through similar experiences 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:27.360 I have a friend who came to mind 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:30.400 when I was reading this section 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:31.680 and I messaged him 00:12:31.680 --> 00:12:33.900 and got him to share a bit of his story with us 00:12:33.900 --> 00:12:34.780 this is what he says 00:12:34.780 --> 00:12:38.300 basically I hadn't a clue of what I was supposed to do 00:12:38.300 --> 00:12:40.040 and at that stage 00:12:40.040 --> 00:12:41.940 couldn't even really see 00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:44.980 why I had even went to Bible college 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:47.139 we just played volleyball 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.899 and everyone else was inside 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:51.100 and I was lying on the grass 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:53.159 looking at the sky 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:55.740 and didn't they 00:12:55.740 --> 00:12:57.779 they being the miners club 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.840 that's over the back of the Bible college 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:02.340 didn't they just start playing 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:05.019 don't stop believing by the journey 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:08.420 it was so weird 00:13:08.420 --> 00:13:11.019 but it was like a word to me that night 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:13.820 and probably the beginning of me getting out of the rut 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.100 that I was in 00:13:15.100 --> 00:13:18.060 and then he laughs at the end 00:13:18.060 --> 00:13:20.260 and says thankfully I got more clear guidance 00:13:20.260 --> 00:13:21.740 from the Bible after that 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:22.340 though 00:13:22.340 --> 00:13:25.580 now this is a good friend of mine 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:28.320 I'm not criticizing Johnny in any way shape or form 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:31.100 but doesn't that just sound like me 00:13:31.100 --> 00:13:34.760 that I would need the pagans 00:13:34.760 --> 00:13:38.340 to play a completely un-Christian song 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:40.379 about something completely 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:42.600 inappropriate 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:47.540 and completely nothing to do with my situation 00:13:47.540 --> 00:13:50.760 for me to actually take God serious 00:13:50.760 --> 00:13:52.020 in what he's told me to do 00:13:52.020 --> 00:13:54.200 and to go and do what he's told me 00:13:54.200 --> 00:14:01.640 I'm not telling that story to show how silly Johnny is 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:04.660 but rather I want us to see how easily we 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:06.160 like Eve in the garden 00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:09.480 will slip into a complete lack of confidence 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.920 in God's word 00:14:10.920 --> 00:14:14.500 and the only reason that any of us are still here 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:17.379 the only reason that any of us are still believing 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:21.920 the only reason that any of us are still listening to God's word 00:14:21.919 --> 00:14:24.679 is because of his work in our life 00:14:24.679 --> 00:14:26.959 it's not our wisdom 00:14:26.959 --> 00:14:28.539 and it's not our insight 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:30.979 it's purely God's grace 00:14:30.979 --> 00:14:35.759 and likewise with Gideon 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:39.019 he was seeking guidance from all of the wrong places 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:43.439 but God graciously gave this dream to this pagan 00:14:43.439 --> 00:14:45.240 the interpretation to another 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:47.459 and had them just at the right place at the right time 00:14:47.459 --> 00:14:49.379 that Gideon could go and hear 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:53.059 so that he could go and deliver Israel 00:14:53.059 --> 00:14:56.820 there's 00:14:56.820 --> 00:14:59.320 the story moves on 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.200 Gideon is 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:03.159 given strength 00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:05.259 by the hearing of the dream 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:06.500 and he goes back 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:08.220 and he arms his people 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:10.480 you think great 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.860 the story's going to get going 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.179 we're going to get some good 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.460 gory story here 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.679 he goes back and he arms his people 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.639 and what does he give them? 00:15:18.719 --> 00:15:20.479 he gives them trumpets and torches 00:15:20.479 --> 00:15:23.759 this is the famous part of the story that we know 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:26.559 and I love a bit of military history 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:29.299 but of all the strategies I have ever heard of 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:33.439 this is definitively the worst that I have ever come across 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:35.359 notice the lack of weapons 00:15:35.359 --> 00:15:40.419 notice taking this tinily outnumbered force 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:42.240 and dividing it even more 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:43.919 so that it's even more scattered 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:45.019 and less potent 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:47.200 notice that their whole plan 00:15:47.200 --> 00:15:49.620 is that the enemy would kill themselves 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:52.700 which normally isn't a good plan 00:15:52.700 --> 00:15:54.080 when you go to war 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:57.799 all of this is pure folly 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:59.360 in the eyes of this world 00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:01.360 but then we look at the results 00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:04.220 and even though the text is silent 00:16:04.220 --> 00:16:06.720 about whether God told Gideon 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.960 to use this plan 00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:11.180 or whether Gideon just dreamed it up on the spot 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:14.599 we must conclude that God was working in it 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:17.719 we cannot help to see 00:16:17.719 --> 00:16:20.339 that this was a truly great plan 00:16:20.339 --> 00:16:22.620 here this little dot 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:24.000 that you can probably barely see 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:27.139 the force under Gideon 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:30.359 the massive section over here 00:16:30.359 --> 00:16:32.439 the massive force that started out 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:34.620 under Midian's control 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:36.139 and the red 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:37.879 the number of folks that fell 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:40.759 to Gideon's strategy 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:44.340 God used these 300 men 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.679 with their trumpets and torches 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:47.120 to rout the entire army 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:52.159 but did you notice 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:54.580 the true folly that appears here 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:58.200 verse 8 and then again 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.259 in verse 20 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.439 there's this 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:02.600 you could call it a slip of the tongue 00:17:02.600 --> 00:17:04.660 a sword for the Lord 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:06.620 and for Gideon 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:09.799 twice the author brings it to our attention 00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:11.960 this isn't just some passing 00:17:11.960 --> 00:17:13.380 information 00:17:13.380 --> 00:17:16.460 this flies in the face of 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:18.480 what God has already been up to 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:21.799 God has taken such drastic action 00:17:21.799 --> 00:17:23.920 to ensure that his people 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.380 would not claim the victory 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:27.140 but here they are 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:29.160 and they're already showing signs 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.559 that they're going to give the credit 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.279 to Gideon 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:34.480 and as we consider 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:36.319 that there is only one source 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.200 of victory 00:17:37.200 --> 00:17:40.399 in his gospel 00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:42.019 and not in our plans 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.919 perhaps we should take a moment 00:17:43.919 --> 00:17:44.839 to ask ourselves 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.759 whether we're falling into the same error 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.539 as Gideon's little group 00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:51.779 will our tongues slip 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:54.259 when God does great things with us 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:57.399 do we think back 00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:59.539 to the great men and women of old 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:01.839 and maybe not of that long ago 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:04.740 and do we put our trust in them 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:06.779 and in their legacies 00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:09.019 in their ability to preach 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:11.440 in their ability to see people converted 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:15.019 and do we find ourselves 00:18:15.019 --> 00:18:17.379 slipping into this very same folly 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:18.940 of these Israelite soldiers 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:23.960 oh it was great when so and so was preaching 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:25.119 oh wasn't it wonderful 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:26.819 when those campaigns were on 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:30.319 God did great things 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.919 yes 00:18:31.919 --> 00:18:34.639 but it was God that did great things 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:37.239 yet God does not abandon 00:18:37.239 --> 00:18:38.539 these men 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:41.619 God still graciously uses Gideon 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:44.039 despite this problem 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:47.519 and perhaps there's a comment 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.559 that needs to be made 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.699 we should never look at the work 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.680 of Christian ministry 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:55.279 and think that it reflects 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:57.080 how honoured God is 00:18:57.080 --> 00:18:57.940 through that ministry 00:18:58.620 --> 00:19:00.680 what I mean is 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:02.880 everyone who speaks the word of God 00:19:02.880 --> 00:19:03.880 is a flawed vessel 00:19:03.880 --> 00:19:05.039 right 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:07.279 and every person 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.640 reached by any gospel ministry 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.500 is reached and converted 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.980 purely by God's grace 00:19:12.980 --> 00:19:17.380 and sometimes we look at how well 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.779 some people do 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:20.680 and we put it down to 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.779 their abilities 00:19:21.779 --> 00:19:24.079 and sometimes we look at others 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.960 and see how little fruit there is 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.819 of their preaching and conversions 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:30.940 and we think that they are bereft of God 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:33.640 but the opposite is true 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:39.019 there's a lot more that should be said 00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:39.920 about that 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:42.539 but this is not the time for it 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:45.539 but there is one source of victory 00:19:45.539 --> 00:19:47.240 and that is God 00:19:47.240 --> 00:19:50.659 there is also one source of unity 00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:53.139 the Midianites are routed 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:55.539 and all the Israelites 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.680 of the surrounding tribes 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:58.119 all those who were sent home 00:19:58.119 --> 00:20:00.339 come down to join the pursuit 00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:03.319 but Gideon sees a brilliant opportunity 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:06.240 he calls out the tribe of Ephraim 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.960 who are down here at the bottom 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:09.579 the battle happens up here 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:11.659 up around Ophrah and Mount Tabor 00:20:11.660 --> 00:20:14.440 Ephraim down here at the bottom 00:20:14.440 --> 00:20:16.279 are in a brilliant position 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:19.840 to go ahead of the retreating army 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:23.480 to capture rivers and river crossings 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.100 to stop the Midianites 00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:26.900 from going home safely 00:20:26.900 --> 00:20:29.880 and whether again this is part of God's strategy 00:20:29.880 --> 00:20:34.600 or whether this is Gideon being clever 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:36.319 we don't see 00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:38.539 but clearly God is using it 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:41.259 the Ephraimites managed to control much 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:44.919 of those crossing the Jordan to the east 00:20:44.919 --> 00:20:46.719 and they managed to capture these two 00:20:46.719 --> 00:20:48.519 Midianite commanders 00:20:48.519 --> 00:20:50.000 Oreb and Zeb 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.719 the raven and the wolf 00:20:51.719 --> 00:20:56.299 but Ephraim isn't happy with this 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:58.539 they're not content 00:20:58.539 --> 00:21:02.879 remember that there is still no king in Israel 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:06.519 it's not comfortably united by a single monarch 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:09.079 and Ephraim seems to consider itself 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:11.039 as one of the more prominent tribes 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:13.319 they're one of the good guys 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:16.779 and here's this so-called judge 00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:19.539 from little tribe Manasseh 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:23.879 who's he to be leading us in battle? 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:27.520 there's a bit of tribal rivalry going on here 00:21:27.520 --> 00:21:30.760 and it threatens Gideon's position in leadership 00:21:30.760 --> 00:21:35.000 they don't seem to care that God has raised him up as a leader 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:38.860 or that he has done great things through God 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:43.300 but Gideon's very deft in how he answers Ephraim 00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:46.180 he uses this lovely little bit of flattery 00:21:46.180 --> 00:21:48.100 to sate their wrath 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:51.100 and their resentment just dissipates 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:55.740 it's a brilliant example of what Proverbs 15 talks about 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:59.339 a soft answer turning away wrath 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:01.559 it's an excellent example 00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:05.279 but as I come across this 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.439 I start to wonder 00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:09.899 when's the foot going to fall? 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:14.139 you see when Gideon does something right 00:22:14.139 --> 00:22:18.639 it usually has something behind it that's wrong 00:22:18.639 --> 00:22:20.159 but no this seems to be good 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:24.620 until we get to the next little bit 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:27.680 we get this larger section 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:30.759 of Gideon and his soldiers 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:35.080 needing supplies from these two Israelite towns 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:37.100 Succoth and Peniel 00:22:37.100 --> 00:22:40.759 these two towns are just over the Jordan 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:45.640 on the eastern banks of the Jordan 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:48.520 and we maybe need to remember 00:22:48.520 --> 00:22:50.460 a couple of background things here 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:53.400 if you lived on the east of the Jordan 00:22:53.400 --> 00:22:56.680 the Midianites had nothing stopping them 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:58.140 from raiding your land 00:22:58.140 --> 00:23:00.200 and for seven years 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:02.040 the Midianites have been strong 00:23:02.040 --> 00:23:05.460 these towns would have been 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:08.380 oppressed most of anywhere 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:09.720 in Israel 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:14.400 and they had no ability to really stop 00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:16.360 anything that was going on 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:21.700 the past seven years have doubtless been a harrowing time 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:23.120 for these towns 00:23:23.120 --> 00:23:27.039 and can you imagine the position that Gideon puts them into 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.720 with this request 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:33.680 they can align with this nobody called Gideon 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:36.039 who's managed to win one battle 00:23:36.039 --> 00:23:39.460 who has only 300 men following him 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:43.000 and what happens when Midian recovers 00:23:43.000 --> 00:23:47.319 they'll come back and they'll wipe us from the face of the earth 00:23:47.319 --> 00:23:54.220 I doubt many of us would stand on the walls of those cities 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:57.039 and look at Gideon and his little group of exhausted men 00:23:57.039 --> 00:23:59.159 and say that's who we're siding with 00:23:59.159 --> 00:24:05.139 and they taunt Gideon 00:24:05.139 --> 00:24:08.879 oh Gideon you're going to kill Midianite kings 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:09.839 oh very good 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:11.539 where are they then 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:13.619 are they in handcuffs with you 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:15.319 oh maybe if that happens 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:17.119 maybe then we'll give you bread 00:24:17.119 --> 00:24:21.279 and Gideon promises revenge 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.639 on them 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:26.099 and there's irony 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:28.299 incredible irony in verse 9 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.099 when I come in triumph 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:32.719 I will tear down this tower 00:24:32.719 --> 00:24:34.439 that word triumph 00:24:34.439 --> 00:24:36.279 it can also be translated peace 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:39.199 what sort of peace is this going to be 00:24:39.199 --> 00:24:41.539 if the first thing he does is come back 00:24:41.539 --> 00:24:44.119 and destroy Israelite towns 00:24:44.119 --> 00:24:50.279 as we read that Gideon pursues 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:51.299 his enemies 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:54.459 the numbers are still outrageously against Gideon 00:24:54.459 --> 00:24:57.019 but the Midianites think that they're safe 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.699 and in the comfort of their own camp 00:24:58.699 --> 00:24:59.819 they're attacked 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.719 they're routed 00:25:00.719 --> 00:25:02.359 and the two kings are captured 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:04.639 and so Gideon returns to Succoth 00:25:04.639 --> 00:25:07.899 and in a brutal fashion 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:10.959 he disciplines the elders of the town 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:13.120 then in Peniel he comes 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:15.059 tears down their stronghold 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:17.120 and kills their townsfolk 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:19.480 and we read that 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:19.920 and we wonder 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.440 what on earth is going on here 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:25.900 here is Gideon 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:27.600 the victorious judge 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:30.319 God has just delivered his people 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:32.379 this should be the pinnacle of the story 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:37.039 but his wrath against his own people 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:38.379 is repulsive 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:40.519 these are Israelites 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:43.159 these should be brothers and sisters 00:25:43.159 --> 00:25:44.459 these aren't the enemy 00:25:44.459 --> 00:25:47.419 the battle's over Gideon 00:25:47.419 --> 00:25:48.899 stop killing 00:25:48.899 --> 00:25:52.500 yes they were misguided 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.279 yes they made the wrong call 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.679 but was Gideon's revenge really necessary? 00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.240 no 00:25:57.240 --> 00:26:00.299 and I think the detail 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:01.779 that the author is giving us here 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:03.759 is pointing us to Gideon's character 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.900 as a warning bell 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.560 here's a judge 00:26:06.560 --> 00:26:07.360 here's a deliverer 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:08.340 used by God 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:10.140 but that doesn't sanctify 00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:11.500 what Gideon does 00:26:11.500 --> 00:26:16.640 here we see Gideon's strength 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.400 seeping out 00:26:17.400 --> 00:26:19.660 and I hinted to this way back 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:21.620 when we were talking about Gideon's call 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:23.860 God says go and deliver 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:25.740 Israel by the strength 00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.699 that you have 00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:29.219 and here we see this strength 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:31.439 and it's beastly 00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:33.339 it's fearsome 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:34.959 it's indiscriminate 00:26:34.959 --> 00:26:37.979 Gideon's relying on his own strength 00:26:37.979 --> 00:26:40.659 he has no pity 00:26:40.659 --> 00:26:41.579 no compassion 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:44.500 for his fearful fellow Israelites 00:26:44.500 --> 00:26:48.359 surely there's no application of this 00:26:48.359 --> 00:26:49.319 to us as Christians 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:51.940 no preacher or group 00:26:51.940 --> 00:26:53.640 that has ever seen God's blessing 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:55.359 has ever demonised others 00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.700 who failed to support them 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:58.240 at a time of trouble 00:26:58.240 --> 00:27:04.900 it was interesting 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.880 that this coincides with 00:27:06.880 --> 00:27:07.880 our morning teaching 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:09.420 on Philippians 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:11.840 where Paul is talking about 00:27:11.840 --> 00:27:13.160 our need to be united 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:18.860 and of one mind 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:23.039 and perhaps some of us 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.140 have been party to 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:26.580 some very hurtful disunity 00:27:26.580 --> 00:27:28.240 in the past 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:31.240 whether we play the part 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.779 of treacherous Succoth 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:34.160 or vengeful Gideon 00:27:34.160 --> 00:27:36.140 or somewhere in the middle 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:39.200 do we need 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.259 to have our names 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.180 written in a letter 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.020 by Paul 00:27:42.020 --> 00:27:43.220 to cause us 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:44.040 to take steps 00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.140 to mend those bridges 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:48.840 I hope not 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:52.280 in this section 00:27:52.280 --> 00:27:54.320 we also find 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.960 Gideon dealing with 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:57.180 Ziba and Zalmunna 00:27:57.180 --> 00:28:00.280 it seems that 00:28:00.280 --> 00:28:00.920 they've murdered 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.880 Gideon's brothers 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.840 in some sort of 00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:03.940 an altercation 00:28:03.940 --> 00:28:04.560 at Tabor 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:06.000 it doesn't seem 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.919 that they were killed 00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.559 in battle 00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.220 rather that 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.019 they were murdered 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:10.919 and again 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:12.119 we see Gideon's character 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:13.240 coming through clearly 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:14.859 he wasn't going 00:28:14.859 --> 00:28:15.379 to kill 00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.519 these pagan kings 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.419 who caused so much 00:28:17.419 --> 00:28:18.419 trouble for Israel 00:28:18.419 --> 00:28:20.399 but on discovering 00:28:20.399 --> 00:28:21.119 that these men 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.700 were responsible 00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.339 for the death 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.019 of his brothers 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.779 he is set on vengeance 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:28.319 and he attempts 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:30.159 to use his child 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:31.740 as a way of shaming 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.480 the memory 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.599 of these kings 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:37.159 a character 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:38.299 building exercise 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.359 if ever I've heard 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.819 of one 00:28:39.819 --> 00:28:42.559 but his son 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:43.119 Jether 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:45.179 he looks like 00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:46.039 a younger version 00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.699 of Gideon 00:28:46.699 --> 00:28:48.319 he isn't 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.159 self-assured 00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.199 and full of wrath 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:50.919 and spite 00:28:50.919 --> 00:28:52.139 rather he's like 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:53.059 the man that we met 00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.759 at the beginning 00:28:53.759 --> 00:28:54.859 timid 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.980 and fearful 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.119 and halting 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.819 and so Gideon 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.619 steps up 00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:00.419 and executes 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:00.959 the kings 00:29:00.959 --> 00:29:01.719 in cold blood 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.519 he's proving 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.500 what sort of man 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:05.180 he is 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:07.660 and I doubt 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.240 many of us 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.720 are thinking 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.480 that he's showing 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.420 stellar qualities 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:12.120 in many areas 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:15.900 our last section 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:17.200 as we come 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:17.759 into this 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.860 we have a 00:29:18.860 --> 00:29:20.299 quite interesting 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.220 little finisher 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:23.220 we see what sort 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.620 of man 00:29:23.620 --> 00:29:24.259 Gideon is 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:25.880 and we're repulsed 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.259 or at least 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.279 I hope we are 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:28.759 but the people 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:29.379 of Israel 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:31.160 they've forgotten 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:32.339 the characteristics 00:29:32.339 --> 00:29:33.399 that God requires 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.180 for a king 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:36.099 they're just set 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:36.859 free from 00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.779 one set 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.920 of tyrants 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:40.259 foreign tyrants 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.599 and instantly 00:29:41.599 --> 00:29:42.119 they begin 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:42.700 to think 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.980 that maybe 00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:45.079 another bloody 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.619 tyrant 00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.480 will help them 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.379 maybe we'll give 00:29:47.379 --> 00:29:48.299 Gideon 00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.259 the reins 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:49.960 for a while 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:50.899 maybe he'll 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.399 reign 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:53.019 well as a king 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:55.819 and don't think 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.500 that they're 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.039 fulfilling 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.879 what Deuteronomy 00:29:57.879 --> 00:29:58.720 is talking about 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.500 and setting over 00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.539 a king over 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.180 themselves 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:03.980 who is one 00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:04.519 who is 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:06.319 caring about 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.119 God's law 00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.720 and who 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:09.059 is just 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:10.019 rather they're 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.980 looking for a king 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:11.859 in the same pattern 00:30:11.859 --> 00:30:12.839 as all the Canaanites 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:13.779 around themselves 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:16.500 and our hearts 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.920 sink when we hear 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.660 them making this 00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:19.599 request of Gideon 00:30:19.599 --> 00:30:20.700 because Gideon 00:30:20.700 --> 00:30:21.619 almost always does 00:30:21.619 --> 00:30:22.500 the wrong thing 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.200 but Gideon 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:24.180 surprises us 00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:25.079 in a good way 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.200 he rejects 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.819 the offer 00:30:26.819 --> 00:30:28.859 has Gideon 00:30:28.859 --> 00:30:30.000 finally got it 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:30.819 has he finally 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.440 twigged 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.900 is this whole 00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:33.700 tale going to 00:30:33.700 --> 00:30:34.279 end well 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.880 with Gideon 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:36.180 finishing well 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:39.259 after a few 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.440 rocky parts 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.240 maybe Gideon's 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:41.779 going to turn 00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.799 around his life 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:44.180 and God's 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.640 going to use 00:30:44.640 --> 00:30:45.259 him as a good 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.160 judge that's 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:47.000 going to lead 00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:47.859 his people well 00:30:47.859 --> 00:30:48.640 under God 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.599 not as a king 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.599 but as a judge 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:52.519 and we read 00:30:52.519 --> 00:30:53.179 his response 00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:53.719 and it sounds 00:30:53.719 --> 00:30:54.079 great 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.740 I'm not going 00:30:54.740 --> 00:30:55.199 to be your 00:30:55.199 --> 00:30:55.480 king 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.159 my sons 00:30:56.159 --> 00:30:56.559 aren't going 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:56.980 to be your 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:57.480 king 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.439 no no no 00:30:58.439 --> 00:30:59.099 no God's 00:30:59.099 --> 00:30:59.659 your king 00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:05.019 but he doesn't 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.519 stop 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:07.959 he then 00:31:07.959 --> 00:31:09.139 makes 00:31:09.139 --> 00:31:10.139 just one 00:31:10.139 --> 00:31:10.740 request 00:31:10.740 --> 00:31:11.459 I just want 00:31:11.459 --> 00:31:12.059 one thing 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.639 from you 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.539 what he asked 00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.319 for we may 00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:16.199 not quite get 00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:16.919 it from what's 00:31:16.919 --> 00:31:17.379 said in the 00:31:17.379 --> 00:31:17.779 text 00:31:17.779 --> 00:31:18.799 it's the 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:20.539 spoil that a 00:31:20.539 --> 00:31:21.200 king would be 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.180 due in winning 00:31:22.180 --> 00:31:22.779 a battle 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:26.000 and the people 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:27.379 have no problem 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:27.980 with giving 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.480 Gideon 00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:30.000 what he wants 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:33.319 19 kilos 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.099 of gold 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.879 were collected 00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.720 over 19 00:31:35.720 --> 00:31:36.240 kilos 00:31:36.240 --> 00:31:37.259 at current 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.680 day gold 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.299 prices were 00:31:38.299 --> 00:31:39.160 talking well 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:40.639 over 600,000 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.259 pounds 00:31:41.259 --> 00:31:42.339 to give you 00:31:42.339 --> 00:31:43.119 some sense 00:31:43.119 --> 00:31:44.099 of the 00:31:44.099 --> 00:31:44.720 monetary 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:45.759 amount 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.000 and that's 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.680 beside the 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.500 spoil taken 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:48.859 from the 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.319 Midianite 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:49.740 kings 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.299 which would 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.559 have been 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.279 substantial 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:53.640 and he 00:31:53.640 --> 00:31:54.099 takes all 00:31:54.099 --> 00:31:54.579 this gold 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:54.879 and he 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.279 puts it 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:56.559 to fantastic 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.079 use 00:31:57.079 --> 00:31:58.839 he invests 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.099 it 00:31:59.099 --> 00:32:00.960 into making 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.879 an ephod 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:03.500 now 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.720 there's 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:05.160 controversy 00:32:05.160 --> 00:32:05.740 over this 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.119 we can't 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:06.579 be exactly 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.099 sure what 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:07.460 it was 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.740 or what 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.099 it looked 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:08.480 like 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.879 it could 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.400 have been 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:10.839 kind of 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.619 styled on 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:12.220 what the 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:13.519 priest wore 00:32:13.519 --> 00:32:13.940 at the 00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.879 tabernacle 00:32:14.880 --> 00:32:15.900 a kind 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.140 of a 00:32:16.140 --> 00:32:16.500 top 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.700 breastplate 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.160 it could 00:32:19.160 --> 00:32:19.640 have been 00:32:19.640 --> 00:32:20.280 some sort 00:32:20.280 --> 00:32:21.140 of an 00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:21.480 idol 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:21.980 or some 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.220 sort 00:32:22.220 --> 00:32:22.500 of an 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:22.980 image 00:32:22.980 --> 00:32:24.580 we're not 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:25.360 quite sure 00:32:25.360 --> 00:32:28.700 but whatever 00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.860 intention there 00:32:29.860 --> 00:32:30.460 was in 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.040 Gideon's 00:32:31.040 --> 00:32:31.620 mind 00:32:31.620 --> 00:32:33.100 it certainly 00:32:33.100 --> 00:32:33.660 wasn't 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.080 particularly 00:32:34.080 --> 00:32:34.700 well thought 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.100 out 00:32:35.100 --> 00:32:37.660 there was 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.160 no reason 00:32:38.160 --> 00:32:38.480 for him 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.000 to make 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.500 this 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.680 except if 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:41.020 he was 00:32:41.020 --> 00:32:41.540 attempting 00:32:41.540 --> 00:32:42.360 to resurrect 00:32:42.360 --> 00:32:43.040 the Baal 00:32:43.040 --> 00:32:43.380 worship 00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:43.820 that his 00:32:43.820 --> 00:32:44.160 father 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:44.820 sponsored 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.659 and that 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.079 he put 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.399 an end 00:32:46.399 --> 00:32:47.019 to himself 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.720 at God's 00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.599 behest 00:32:48.599 --> 00:32:50.359 this wasn't 00:32:50.359 --> 00:32:50.659 in the 00:32:50.659 --> 00:32:50.980 law 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:52.220 he wasn't 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.539 commanded 00:32:52.539 --> 00:32:53.059 by God 00:32:53.059 --> 00:32:53.460 to make 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.059 this thing 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.839 this isn't 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.599 sanctioned 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.159 by God 00:32:56.159 --> 00:32:57.019 in God's 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.519 worship 00:32:57.519 --> 00:32:58.519 Gideon is 00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:59.359 acting like 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:00.139 a Canaanite 00:33:00.139 --> 00:33:00.599 king 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.579 sponsoring 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:02.419 his preferred 00:33:02.419 --> 00:33:03.119 religious 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:03.859 cult 00:33:03.859 --> 00:33:05.500 and we 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:05.899 find that 00:33:05.899 --> 00:33:06.279 the end 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:06.799 of Gideon 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.179 is even 00:33:07.179 --> 00:33:07.759 worse than 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.220 the beginning 00:33:08.220 --> 00:33:10.079 he starts 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.519 off the 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:10.980 son 00:33:10.980 --> 00:33:12.399 of a 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:12.700 man 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:12.919 who 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:13.500 sponsors 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:14.200 Baalism 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.980 that seems 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.519 to capture 00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:16.120 this area 00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:16.740 just around 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:17.160 Ophrah 00:33:17.160 --> 00:33:18.480 and now 00:33:18.480 --> 00:33:18.759 Ophrah 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.400 becomes the 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:19.799 place of 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.380 established 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.240 idolatry 00:33:21.240 --> 00:33:21.580 for the 00:33:21.580 --> 00:33:22.299 whole nation 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.960 of Israel 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:27.180 and again 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.819 Israel just 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.340 plays the 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:28.600 whore 00:33:28.600 --> 00:33:29.559 and forsakes 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.120 Yahweh 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:30.840 who should 00:33:30.840 --> 00:33:31.799 be their 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:32.259 God 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:34.720 yet we 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.240 get this 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.880 incredible 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:37.160 summary at 00:33:37.160 --> 00:33:37.420 the end 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.720 of our 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.360 passage 00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:40.579 and it 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:40.919 doesn't 00:33:40.919 --> 00:33:41.399 look like 00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:41.959 it fits 00:33:41.959 --> 00:33:42.299 in 00:33:42.299 --> 00:33:43.679 it flies 00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.000 in the 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.500 face of 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.199 everything 00:33:45.199 --> 00:33:45.679 that we 00:33:45.679 --> 00:33:45.899 would 00:33:45.899 --> 00:33:46.839 expect 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:48.539 despite 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.079 the 00:33:49.079 --> 00:33:50.139 depravity 00:33:50.139 --> 00:33:51.000 despite 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.299 the 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.139 disunity 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:52.779 despite 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.399 the 00:33:53.399 --> 00:33:54.240 idolatry 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:54.539 and the 00:33:54.539 --> 00:33:54.759 utter 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.779 stupidity 00:33:55.779 --> 00:33:56.539 displayed 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:57.740 by all 00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.539 and sundry 00:33:58.539 --> 00:33:58.899 in the 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.519 passage 00:33:59.519 --> 00:34:01.299 we get 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:01.679 to the 00:34:01.679 --> 00:34:02.199 end 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.440 and we 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:03.779 read 00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.500 so Midian 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.420 was subdued 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:05.900 before the 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.360 people of 00:34:06.360 --> 00:34:06.819 Israel 00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.819 and they 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.760 raised their 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.440 heads no 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:09.820 more 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.740 and the 00:34:10.740 --> 00:34:11.320 land had 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:12.099 rest 40 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.659 years 00:34:12.659 --> 00:34:13.400 in the 00:34:13.400 --> 00:34:13.860 days 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:15.039 of Gideon 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:19.340 God 00:34:19.340 --> 00:34:19.940 used 00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:20.460 Gideon 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.920 as flawed 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.599 as feeble 00:34:23.599 --> 00:34:25.460 as wayward 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.199 as he 00:34:26.199 --> 00:34:27.000 was 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.780 to bring 00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.420 about this 00:34:29.420 --> 00:34:30.400 incredible 00:34:30.400 --> 00:34:31.699 salvation 00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:32.319 for his 00:34:32.319 --> 00:34:33.019 people 00:34:33.019 --> 00:34:36.739 and I 00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:37.379 don't know 00:34:37.379 --> 00:34:38.519 where many 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:38.960 of our 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.879 minds are 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:40.319 at 00:34:40.319 --> 00:34:40.799 I don't 00:34:40.799 --> 00:34:41.219 know what 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:41.699 you think 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:42.159 about the 00:34:42.159 --> 00:34:42.579 state 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:43.419 of our 00:34:43.419 --> 00:34:43.879 nation 00:34:43.879 --> 00:34:44.319 I don't 00:34:44.319 --> 00:34:44.679 know what 00:34:44.679 --> 00:34:45.219 you think 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.099 about what's 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:46.559 going on 00:34:46.559 --> 00:34:46.839 in your 00:34:46.839 --> 00:34:47.339 life 00:34:47.339 --> 00:34:50.500 but surely 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.159 we can take 00:34:51.159 --> 00:34:51.639 comfort 00:34:51.639 --> 00:34:52.539 that if God 00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.059 can use 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.739 Gideon 00:34:53.739 --> 00:34:55.119 he can use 00:34:55.119 --> 00:34:55.579 anybody 00:34:55.579 --> 00:34:57.519 if God 00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.059 can bring 00:34:58.059 --> 00:34:58.839 good from 00:34:58.839 --> 00:34:59.659 what happens 00:34:59.659 --> 00:35:00.779 in Gideon's 00:35:00.779 --> 00:35:01.379 story 00:35:01.380 --> 00:35:02.860 he can 00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.400 bring good 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.360 from anything 00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:06.880 if God 00:35:06.880 --> 00:35:07.660 can use 00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:08.460 Gideon to 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:08.880 give his 00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.880 people rest 00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.720 for 40 00:35:10.720 --> 00:35:11.420 years 00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:13.619 what can 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:13.980 he do 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:14.480 with each 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:14.880 one of 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:15.720 us as 00:35:15.720 --> 00:35:16.260 we seek 00:35:16.260 --> 00:35:17.079 to follow 00:35:17.079 --> 00:35:17.780 God's 00:35:17.780 --> 00:35:18.240 word 00:35:18.240 --> 00:35:19.500 as we 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:19.960 seek 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:21.420 to hear 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:21.980 from 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.559 him 00:35:22.559 --> 00:35:23.820 as we 00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.220 seek to 00:35:24.220 --> 00:35:24.740 live by 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:25.019 his 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.720 standards 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:26.359 place 00:35:26.359 --> 00:35:28.079 because I 00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.639 think we 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.219 all agree 00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:29.599 there is 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:30.099 one source 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.799 of victory 00:35:30.799 --> 00:35:32.099 it is 00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.639 God 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:34.099 there is 00:35:34.099 --> 00:35:34.739 one source 00:35:34.739 --> 00:35:35.439 of guidance 00:35:35.439 --> 00:35:35.879 it is 00:35:35.879 --> 00:35:36.279 God 00:35:36.279 --> 00:35:36.519 and there 00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:36.819 is one 00:35:36.819 --> 00:35:37.259 source of 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:37.679 unity 00:35:37.679 --> 00:35:38.139 it is 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:38.819 God 00:35:38.820 --> 00:35:41.640 and if we get all that 00:35:41.640 --> 00:35:43.740 that Gideon completely missed 00:35:43.740 --> 00:35:45.800 how much more 00:35:45.800 --> 00:35:47.519 should we be able to accomplish 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.980 through 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:50.860 God's power 00:35:50.860 --> 00:35:52.340 in our lives 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:55.080 can we pray just before we finish 00:35:55.080 --> 00:35:59.820 Father 00:35:59.820 --> 00:36:01.880 we're very aware 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.539 that 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:05.539 there is a lot to take in 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:07.480 in this passage 00:36:07.480 --> 00:36:09.740 there's a lot of material 00:36:09.740 --> 00:36:12.059 and this has been 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:13.900 but a scratching of the surface 00:36:13.900 --> 00:36:16.360 and yet 00:36:16.360 --> 00:36:18.219 Father we long that we would 00:36:18.219 --> 00:36:19.460 have heard your voice 00:36:19.460 --> 00:36:22.119 we long that 00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:24.179 you would have spoken and that 00:36:24.179 --> 00:36:25.880 you would continue to speak 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:28.460 and as 00:36:28.460 --> 00:36:30.159 we seek to do 00:36:30.159 --> 00:36:30.619 your will 00:36:30.619 --> 00:36:34.019 as we seek to see 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.440 your name glorified 00:36:35.440 --> 00:36:38.240 as we seek 00:36:38.240 --> 00:36:40.280 for you to bring 00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:41.079 the victory 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:43.159 in our lives 00:36:43.159 --> 00:36:45.539 and to this nation 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:47.780 that has wandered far from you 00:36:47.780 --> 00:36:50.159 we pray 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:52.420 that you would do 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:53.940 incredible things 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:55.500 in these days 00:36:55.500 --> 00:36:58.320 that you would open our mouths 00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:59.119 to speak 00:36:59.119 --> 00:37:01.700 that you would give us courage 00:37:01.699 --> 00:37:04.719 Lord 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:06.279 that you would unite us 00:37:06.279 --> 00:37:08.119 to go 00:37:08.119 --> 00:37:09.039 and to tell 00:37:09.039 --> 00:37:10.319 this world of ours 00:37:10.319 --> 00:37:12.500 the incredible good news 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:13.239 that you have 00:37:13.239 --> 00:37:13.799 for them 00:37:13.799 --> 00:37:16.419 Father we need 00:37:16.419 --> 00:37:17.019 your help 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:20.079 and Father 00:37:20.079 --> 00:37:21.719 we long that you would get 00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:23.519 all of the glory 00:37:23.519 --> 00:37:25.419 in Jesus name 00:37:25.419 --> 00:37:26.819 Amen