When Dad Has My Back
Series: Right in God's Eyes
June 18, 2023
Dave Smith
Judges 6:14… “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” This week, we begin a multi-week look at the judgeship of Gideon. Our initial view of Gideon focuses on his calling by God to deliver Israel from Median's oppression. Gideon was happy to hear about the deliverance, less excited about being God's choice for him to lead the charge. ---------- Gideon makes the same mistake that we sometimes do. We hear the first part of God's commands and miss the second part. He lets God know his lack of credentials… weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh (a half-tribe, in fact)… least standing in his family. He asks the seemingly obvious question, “How can I save Israel?” ---------- You see, Gideon heard the “go in this might of yours” and missed the “do I not send you?” So the Lord doubles down and reminds him, “I will be with you…” God is essentially telling him and reminding him, “Don’t worry so much about who YOU are, try to remember who I AM.” God commits to a promise of His presence with Gideon—something that has been absent from the nation of Israel for seven very difficult years. What is he asking in return? Obedience from Gideon first and foremost and then, by extension, the entire nation of Israel. ---------- It is the story woven throughout the book of Judges--God brings deliverance to His people even when they don't deserve it and even in situations where they don't feel worthy or qualified to accomplish God's purpose.
Episode Notes
Judges 5:31b… And the land had rest for forty years.
Judges 6:1… The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years.
God often sees more of our potential than we imagine in ourselves.
Judges 6:14… “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”
BIG IDEA: God promises His commitment through providence… we reciprocate that commitment through OUR obedience
Judges 6:25-27… 25 That night the Lord said to him, “Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it 26 and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of the stronghold here, with stones laid in due order. Then take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah that you shall cut down.” 27 So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.
- PRACTICE YOUR FAITH AT HOME FIRST... if we don’t practice our faith at home, how can we practice it sincerely any place else?
- PROVE YOUR FAITHFULNESS IN GOD’S SIGHT... When we prove that we’re faithful with a few things, God will trust us with greater things (Matt. 25:21).
Exodus 34:12-13… 12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. 13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim.
Mark 4:40… 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Isaiah 12:2… “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”
- PRIORITIZE WORSHIP OF GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE.
SCENE SUMMARY: Before he could declare war on Midian, Gideon had to declare war on Baal.
Judges 6:28-30… 28 When the men of the town rose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. 29 And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.” 30 Then the men of the town said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has broken down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah beside it.”
- Our submission creates a difficulty... We deceive ourselves if we think that everyone is pleased when we obediently serve the Lord.
- Our faithfulness calls for Decision... we must obediently follow the Lord in spite of all that some would do to stop us.
SCENE SUMMARY: Before he could Face the battle with Midian, Gideon had to face the battle within his own family
Judges 6:31-32… 31 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.” 32 Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.
- God could use our obedience to change others… to your family, to your church, to your community.
Acts 5:41… 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name
- God does use obedience to provide deliverance... If we obey the Lord, even through fear, the Lord will protect us and will receive the glory.
Judges 6:34… 34 But the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him.
SCENE SUMMARY: Before he could Lead in the fight with Midian, Gideon had to learn to follow with faith
NEXT STEP: It is important that we have the right kind of fear… that which Gideon displayed… so that we set our sights on pleasing God
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