Christ-Light Connections: Gideon’s Call & Gideon’s Victory

Israel has now settled into the promised land. But, they disobeyed and did not drive out all of the heathen inhabitants. Because of this, Israel faced the constant temptation to turn away from the LORD and toward the Canaanite gods.

During the next two weeks, we will focus on the time of the Judges and take a close look at Gideon and Samson. Judges is often summarized as a series of cycles. Israel rebels; then God sends oppression. Israel repents, and the LORD rescues. Israel rests, then begins to rebel once again. The cycle repeats. See Judges 2:16-19 for a good summary.

A major theme that runs through the book is the juxtaposition of man’s weakness next to God’s strength. The Christ-Light theme this week is God makes a reluctant leader into a bold conqueror.

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OT2 11A

Gideon’s Call — Judges 6

Context

By this point, Israel had cycled through rebellion and rescue several times. The beginning of each cycle opens with the phrase, “Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD.” Just as Joshua had predicted, they were not able to serve the LORD, and the hand of a jealous God was against them (Joshua 24:19-20).

Big Ideas

God Gave the Israelites into the Hands of the Midianites (Judges 6:1-6)

Notice that God is responsible for the Israelites’ oppression. This detail is important because it shows that he is not just reacting to events; he is in control. This jealous God was not content to share Israel’s worship with Baal and Asherah but was willing to subject those he loved to pain. Only when Israel had become desperate did she finally cry out to LORD.

Conversation Starters:

• What would you say to someone who thinks God is cruel?
• Is God jealous for our hearts?
• How does pain make us desperate for the LORD’s help?
• Talk about the purpose of pain. Does it always have a purpose? For what reasons might we suffer?

Gideon’s Weakness (Judges 6:11- 40)

When God first speaks to Gideon, he calls him a “mighty warrior.” Was this a joke or a prophecy? Take note of all the ways Gideon’s weakness is pointed out. You might notice that his insecurities and his calling are similar to Moses’.

• v. 11 Gideon is hiding his harvest work in the winepress. Threshing was usually done out in the open with the help of animals.
• v. 13 Gideon’s words reveal a lack of faith in the LORD.
• v. 15 Gideon is the least of the weakest.
• v. 17 Gideon asks for a sign.
• v. 27 Gideon was afraid.
• v. 36 Gideon asks for another sign.
• v. 39 Gideon asks for a third sign.

Conversation Starter:

• Why do you think God picked a weak man with wimpy faith to be his tool for saving Israel?

Jerub-Baal

Gideon’s first battle for the LORD was against his fears, his family, and against the gods Baal and Asherah. His actions insulted, mocked, and desecrated the gods of his community and family.

Joash’s response (Gideon’s father) reminds me of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on top of Mt. Carmel. (1 Kings 18) If Baal is god, he can defend himself. The name Jerub-Baal means “let Baal sue.”

Thus Gideon declared the LORD to be his God and all others to be false.

Conversation Starter:

• How does Joash’s speech set up the rest of the story? (Judges 6:31-32)

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as helpful application questions.

OT2 11B

Gideon’s Victory — Judges 7, 8:28

Context

The story begins before of a backdrop of fear and doubt. The name Spring of Harod (Judges 7:1) mimics the Hebrew word for fear. Mount Gilead (Judges 7:3) means “mountain of fear.” The Israelites were filled with terror.

Big Ideas

Israel may not Boast (Judges 7:1-8)

I wonder if Gideon’s feeling of panic increased or decreased as God whittled down his army to a mere 300 men. From man’s perspective, the army went from “maybe we have a chance to do some damage” to “trying anything is utterly insane.”

As we have seen throughout Israel’s history, God prefers to rescue though the weak and lowly, with impossible odds.

Conversation Starter:

• How would this story be different if Gideon had been allowed to fight with his full-sized army?

The Midianite Dream and Defeat (Judges 7:8-22)

Read the description of the Midianite army (Judges 7:12). What logical hope did 300 men have? Knowing Gideon’s needs, God graciously gave him yet another sign to strengthen confidence and trust in him.

Just as he had done many times before, the LORD gave the Israelites the victory against all human odds. He showed his strength and power in the face of weakness. Moreover, he reminded his unfaithful bride, Israel, of his undying love and commitment to her.

Conversation Starters:

• Think back to Gideon’s calling. The LORD called him a “mighty warrior.” Why did God call him that? In what sense was it true? In what sense was it not true?
• Who is the mightiest warrior?
• Would God call us mighty warriors? Why or why not?

Gideon’s Failure (Judges 8:22-27)

Your lesson may not include this section; however, it may teach us about our need for a better savior, a mightier warrior. Gideon’s ephod made from the gold of the plunder went from trophy to idol. Why didn’t he destroy it like he had the other false gods? Was it his ego or his own need for an idol?

Good leaders are hard to come by. In reality, there are no good leaders; all are corrupted by sin. Gideon’s failure left Israel to long for a better, perfect savior, a mightier warrior who would end all wars forever. A warrior who would overcome idolatry to forever restore us with God.

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points as well as helpful application questions.