Setting – God appoints Gideon to deliver Israel out of bondage.
Content – God meets with Gideon telling him that he will deliver Israel, calling him a valiant warrior (v. 14), “The LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”” Gideon tries to correct Gods view of him (v. 15), “…and I am the youngest in my father's house.” But God assured him that He would be with him. Gideon realizes that he saw the Angel of the Lord, when the rod touching the rock and consuming the offering (v. 22b), “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”
As God command, Gideon tore down the Baal and Asherah idols and put up an alter to the God. The Midian’s discovered it was Gideon and came out to him. But his dad, Joash, said for Baal to contend for himself and not have to have the city defend him (v. 31), “…"Will you contend for Baal, or will you deliver him? Whoever will plead for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar.”
Gideon ask God to confirm that he is to lead Israel by asking the fleece to be wet and the ground the first time around, then the ground to be wet and the fleece dry.
Application – Gideon’s act of tearing down the idols obviously would stir up a riot/war. Gideon wants God to help Israel, but it becomes person when God appoints him to be the one to lead.
It’s hard when God calls us to do what we think should be done. Gideon tearing down the idols would cause problems, but Gideon followed God’s request. Then God wanted Gideon to Israel fight against the Midianites, which being in Gideon’s shoes, I would ask for God to confirm with the fleece as well.
It’s hard when God’s will get personal. When we have to step out of our comfort and be one on the front line for God, this is where our faith is fully tested; where the ‘rubber meets the road’.
Content – God meets with Gideon telling him that he will deliver Israel, calling him a valiant warrior (v. 14), “The LORD looked at him and said, "Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?”” Gideon tries to correct Gods view of him (v. 15), “…and I am the youngest in my father's house.” But God assured him that He would be with him. Gideon realizes that he saw the Angel of the Lord, when the rod touching the rock and consuming the offering (v. 22b), “Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.”
As God command, Gideon tore down the Baal and Asherah idols and put up an alter to the God. The Midian’s discovered it was Gideon and came out to him. But his dad, Joash, said for Baal to contend for himself and not have to have the city defend him (v. 31), “…"Will you contend for Baal, or will you deliver him? Whoever will plead for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar.”
Gideon ask God to confirm that he is to lead Israel by asking the fleece to be wet and the ground the first time around, then the ground to be wet and the fleece dry.
Application – Gideon’s act of tearing down the idols obviously would stir up a riot/war. Gideon wants God to help Israel, but it becomes person when God appoints him to be the one to lead.
It’s hard when God calls us to do what we think should be done. Gideon tearing down the idols would cause problems, but Gideon followed God’s request. Then God wanted Gideon to Israel fight against the Midianites, which being in Gideon’s shoes, I would ask for God to confirm with the fleece as well.
It’s hard when God’s will get personal. When we have to step out of our comfort and be one on the front line for God, this is where our faith is fully tested; where the ‘rubber meets the road’.
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