Central Thought: God is always ready to use anyone who make himself/herself available for His service.
Hymn: I Need thee Every Hour
Text: Judges 8:1-35
Introduction:
Gideon had been reasonably concerned about the condition of his people- the Israelites. In his discussion with the Angel of the Lord, he had queried, “… IF the Lord, be with us, why then has all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of… but now the Lord has forsaken us into the hands of the Midianites” (Judges 6:13). The Lord’s response to him was however reassuring.
“Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hands of the Midianites: have not I sent you?” Judges 6:14
Gideon yielded himself to the Lord and in the process made positive influences on the lives of the Israelites. They remained reasonably faithful to God during his lifetime. In this study, we shall examine how Gideon secured his final victory over the Midianites and his leadership failure.
Lesson Objectives:
- To understand the complaint of the Ephraimites against Gideon and to discuss how justified they were.
- Examine Gideon’s response and to know how appropriate it was.
- Look at Gideon’s character and draw some lessons from it.
- Find out why Gideon created the ephod and its impact on the Israelites
- Understand what Gideon’s failure was and discuss how to avoid such problems.
Question 1.) Discuss how Gideon managed the complaint of the Midianites and the lessons we can derive from it.
Judges 8:2-3, Proverbs 15:1, Colossians 4:6, Romans 12:18, Matthew 10:19, John 14:26
The Ephraimites complained that Gideon should not have left them out of the call to battle. They rebuked Gideon sharply; Gideon was gentle in his response but not in fear. With Godly wisdom he gave a soft answer which made their resentment against him to subside.
The Bible tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but that grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).
In Colossians 4:16, we are admonished thus, “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man”. In Romans 12:18, we are also advised that, if it be possible, as much as lieth within you, live peaceably with all men”. From Matthew 10:19, we acknowledge that even when we are in difficult situations, not knowing what exactly to say, the Lord has promised us that “…. It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak”.
Gideon rather than challenging the contention of the Ephraimites, did not allow the self in him to manifest rather his humility and meekness were displayed. By so doing he challenged them to be more focused in handling the task ahead.
Question 2.a) What does Judges 8:4-5 reveal about Gideon’s character?
His request for help from the men of Succoth to assist his three hundred soldiers with food was rejected. His men were “weak, yet pursing” their targets.
This scenario reveals the following about Gideon’s character:
- That he was quite focused about his mission and objective.
- That his desire to get the job done did not becloud his concern for the welfare of his men.
- That his response to them confirmed his implicit confidence in God and his conviction that victory was certain.
- That he had a persevering spirit; he had a resolute determination and was not easily discouraged.
Question 2.b) The men of Succoth and Penuel refused to supply food to Gideon and his men. What was their reason and how justified was their fear?
Judges 8:6-9
The generals at Succoth refused to give Gideon’s exhausted army food allegedly because Gideon and his men had not yet captured Zebah and Zalmunna, the two kings of Midian. Certainly, this period was when the request for food was most needed and relevant, and not after the war may have been prosecuted and completed. While the real reason for their refusal was not explicitly given, it may be inferred that they feared that should Gideon fail, they themselves could become part of the targets in any counter-attack or reprisal from the Midianites.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, they may have been justified but certainly not in the eyes of God. They were out of tune with what God was doing then.
Christians therefore should not fear circumstances or man but acknowledge the power of God to enable us do what is right.
Question 3.) Gideon refused to be crowned King over Israel: what does Gideon’s reply further reveal about his character?
Judges 8:22-23, John 6:14-15, Deuteronomy 17:14-15
The men of Israel had requested him to rule over them; and they were even prepared to extend this kingship up to several generations of the off springs of Gideon. Gideon refused the offer but rather replied them that “the Lord will rule over you”. This response suggests that Gideon recognized that God was the source of his victories and successes. It also portrays Gideon as not being ambitious and wanting to acquire power and take charge of the people if God did not so direct.
In John 6:14-15, we learn that when Jesus perceived that they would come and take Him by force to make him king, he departed from them. Jesus knew the purpose of His presence on earth, and earthly kingship was not part of the bargain. The mind of Gideon was in line with the word of God as Deuteronomy 17:14-15 that the people appoint themselves a king; but the time had not come.
Question 4.) Gideon made an Ephod- Judges 8:24-27. Explain his action and highlight the lesson we can learn from this fatal error of Gideon and the Israelites. Judges 8:24-27
His decision to make an Ephod appears to be at variance with his earlier rejection of the demand of his people that he should be crowned king to rule over them.
The ephod as a garment was worn originally by the high priest (Exodus 28:4, 29:5, 39:2, Leviticus 8:7) afterwards by the ordinary priest (1 Samuel 22:18), and it was characteristic of his office (1 Samuel 2:18, 1 Samuel 2:28, 14:3). It was upon the ephod that the breastplate containing Urim and Thummin rested. In another group of passages however, the word ephod certainly did not refer to a garment, but very probably referred to an image as is the case in Judges 8:26-27, where Gideon took the golden earrings of the Midianites, weighing 1,700 shekels of gold, and made an “ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah”, where it was worshipped by all Israel. In Judges 17:5, Micah made an ephod and teraphim, or idol, for his sanctuary. The most natural inference from all these passages is that “ephod” here signifies an image that was set up in the sanctuary, especially since the word is cited with teraphim, which undoubtedly refers to graven images (Hosea 3:4).
Thus, Gideon’s recourse to build an Ephod, an idol, to which all Israel rushed to in adoration, was of great displeasure to God, and a disservice to his people. It would appear that he so soon slipped into spiritual insensitivity.
The clear lesson we learn from this error is that “let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls” 1 Corinthians 10:12. Another lessen worth noting from this scenario is that whenever we believe that we have made some significant spiritual progress or exploit, that is when to be more alert in the spirit, and more sensitive to what could be some suggestions from the enemy. Leaders of Christian congregation and assemblies of God’s people should learn from the example of Gideon, who after being mightily used of God led the people into idolatry.
Question 5a) Did Gideon fulfil his mission?
Judges 6:14, 8:28
The primary mandate that God gave Gideon was that he will save Israel from the hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:14). This was achieved in that Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and the country enjoyed relative peace for the rest of the life time of Gideon.
It may however be observed that his mistake of raising the golden image, Ephod tended to tarnish his great achievements and exploits.
Question 5b.) Summarize what you have learned from the life of Gideon.
There is a lot to learn from the life of Gideon.
- Gideon is undoubtedly one of the remarkable characters of the Old Testament.
- He was an obedient servant of God.
- He was willing to confirm God’s leading and to doggedly follow same provided he was sure of God’s position on an issue.
- As he led the people he ensured that he cared for their welfare.
- As one plans success, one should also plan how to manage that success.
Daily Living Application
As the onset, Gideon’s faith looked quite small. No one could hope that much would come from it. But that small faith was all God needed to work through Gideon to bring glory to Himself. Faith the size of a mustard seed is all that one needs to be used of God.
Memory Verse:
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”.