Sermon Devotional: When Weakness Is Enough
Sermon Title: When Weakness Is Enough
Scripture: Judges 7 (NIV)
Last week, we saw how God called Gideon son of Joash the Abiezrite to “go out in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand” (6:14). Despite his relatively low status, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon” (6:34) and he rallied the Israelites against the encamped enemy. Today, we examine the second part of the story and how God used another imperfect vessel to accomplish His perfect will.
Each spring, semi-nomadic Midianites, Amalekites, and other “eastern peoples” descended upon agricultural areas in the Fertile Crescent. Competition over natural resources created conflicts. In Gideon’s time, the herdsmen seem to have far outnumbered the local people, and “Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help” (6:6).
Gideon, like Barak before him, did not seem initially enthusiastic to endanger himself in heroic fashion on behalf of his people. When a divine messenger arrived with Gideon’s mission in hand, Gideon’s first response was to argue with him. Finally, after multiple attempts to reassure himself of divine blessing, Gideon was convinced enough to rally a large army.
In the story we examine today, the Israelites were camped and ready for battle when a surprising observation came from God: the army was too large. Too many men had answered Gideon’s call. Triumph over the invading peoples would be too easy. Approximately two-thirds of Gideon’s men were allowed to depart so that God would receive the glory in the ensuing victory. The ranks were thinned still further based on water-drinking methods. At last, only some 300 Israelite men remained.
That night, Gideon and a servant crept into the enemy camp to do some reconnoitering. The text makes it clear that this nocturnal visit was due to the fact that Gideon was afraid to attack the Midianites directly with his tiny army. As he arrived, he overheard a man in the camp describing a portentous dream in which a round loaf of barley bread decimated a Midianite tent. Vastly reassured by another sign of divine blessing, Gideon withdrew and immediately prepared for action.
The text records that the Israelites divided in the dark into three groups. Armed with trumpets and empty jars filled with torches, they surrounded the Midianites, causing such confusion that the men in the camp began attacking each other by accident. Eventually, the enemy fled, with Gideon and his men in hot pursuit. The victory was complete when Gideon killed the two kings of Midian.
Gideon was a man of his time with a complicated legacy. He tested the divine will multiple times before responding to God’s call, something which made especial sense in his polytheistic context. Despite declining an offer of kingship, he enjoyed all the benefits of ancient Near East kings (plunder including the Midian kings’ purple garments, a harem, many sons, the kingly name Jerub-Baal son of Joash, and a son with a name that meant “my father is the king”) without the bother of actually ruling. Later, after all God had done for him, Gideon set up a location for pagan worship in his hometown. Clearly, this military legend’s conception of monotheism - much less, his awareness of Yahweh - was dim. Yet, God used this imperfect vessel to accomplish His will.
Consider –
╬ Gideon was not a perfect follower of Yahweh, and yet the Spirit of the Lord filled him and accomplished great things through him. Even as you become increasingly aware of your imperfection and weakness, what would you step out in faith to do if you lived humbly dependent upon God’s enabling power?
╬ Gideon lived as a man of his time. God was small, the gods of the pagans were appealing, and enemies of Israel were powerful and merciless. Stop to consider possible parallels in your life today. How big is your God? Are there gods of our time that are appealing to you and that you find yourself pursuing? Who are the enemies of the people of God that wield power against the righteous life that God prescribes for his people? Remember Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:43-48. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. . .” In what ways is Jesus inviting you to live as a beloved child of your Father in heaven?
╬ Lord, you work in all things. Thank you for using Gideon for your purposes and thank you for using us. May we step out in faith this very day and be amazed by who you are and by how you love and accomplish your righteous life in us and through us to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Scripture: Judges 7 (NIV)
“When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’” Judges 7:17-18
Last week, we saw how God called Gideon son of Joash the Abiezrite to “go out in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand” (6:14). Despite his relatively low status, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon” (6:34) and he rallied the Israelites against the encamped enemy. Today, we examine the second part of the story and how God used another imperfect vessel to accomplish His perfect will.
Each spring, semi-nomadic Midianites, Amalekites, and other “eastern peoples” descended upon agricultural areas in the Fertile Crescent. Competition over natural resources created conflicts. In Gideon’s time, the herdsmen seem to have far outnumbered the local people, and “Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help” (6:6).
Gideon, like Barak before him, did not seem initially enthusiastic to endanger himself in heroic fashion on behalf of his people. When a divine messenger arrived with Gideon’s mission in hand, Gideon’s first response was to argue with him. Finally, after multiple attempts to reassure himself of divine blessing, Gideon was convinced enough to rally a large army.
In the story we examine today, the Israelites were camped and ready for battle when a surprising observation came from God: the army was too large. Too many men had answered Gideon’s call. Triumph over the invading peoples would be too easy. Approximately two-thirds of Gideon’s men were allowed to depart so that God would receive the glory in the ensuing victory. The ranks were thinned still further based on water-drinking methods. At last, only some 300 Israelite men remained.
That night, Gideon and a servant crept into the enemy camp to do some reconnoitering. The text makes it clear that this nocturnal visit was due to the fact that Gideon was afraid to attack the Midianites directly with his tiny army. As he arrived, he overheard a man in the camp describing a portentous dream in which a round loaf of barley bread decimated a Midianite tent. Vastly reassured by another sign of divine blessing, Gideon withdrew and immediately prepared for action.
The text records that the Israelites divided in the dark into three groups. Armed with trumpets and empty jars filled with torches, they surrounded the Midianites, causing such confusion that the men in the camp began attacking each other by accident. Eventually, the enemy fled, with Gideon and his men in hot pursuit. The victory was complete when Gideon killed the two kings of Midian.
Gideon was a man of his time with a complicated legacy. He tested the divine will multiple times before responding to God’s call, something which made especial sense in his polytheistic context. Despite declining an offer of kingship, he enjoyed all the benefits of ancient Near East kings (plunder including the Midian kings’ purple garments, a harem, many sons, the kingly name Jerub-Baal son of Joash, and a son with a name that meant “my father is the king”) without the bother of actually ruling. Later, after all God had done for him, Gideon set up a location for pagan worship in his hometown. Clearly, this military legend’s conception of monotheism - much less, his awareness of Yahweh - was dim. Yet, God used this imperfect vessel to accomplish His will.
Consider –
╬ Gideon was not a perfect follower of Yahweh, and yet the Spirit of the Lord filled him and accomplished great things through him. Even as you become increasingly aware of your imperfection and weakness, what would you step out in faith to do if you lived humbly dependent upon God’s enabling power?
╬ Gideon lived as a man of his time. God was small, the gods of the pagans were appealing, and enemies of Israel were powerful and merciless. Stop to consider possible parallels in your life today. How big is your God? Are there gods of our time that are appealing to you and that you find yourself pursuing? Who are the enemies of the people of God that wield power against the righteous life that God prescribes for his people? Remember Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:43-48. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. . .” In what ways is Jesus inviting you to live as a beloved child of your Father in heaven?
╬ Lord, you work in all things. Thank you for using Gideon for your purposes and thank you for using us. May we step out in faith this very day and be amazed by who you are and by how you love and accomplish your righteous life in us and through us to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.