Introduction:
The Midianites and Amalekites came against Israel to destroy her. They
sought first to destroy her cattle and crops (4).
I. A Mysterious Person Prepares Gideon for War
Who? (12) “The Angel of the Lord” is the English translation. But the
literal Hebrew for “Angel” is “messenger.” The literal Hebrew for
“Lord” here is Yahweh. Nearly every time one reads the word “Lord” in
the Old Testament it is the name Yahweh. It occurs 6,700 times in the
Old Testament!
Who is this mysterious person? He is none other than God, the Son – the
second person of the Trinity. Among many scriptures two main scriptures
prove this. Recall Jacob’s vision of God as he fled from Esau to
Bethel. Years later as Jacob prepares to return to his home and Esau,
Holy writ records the messenger of Yahweh encountering Jacob saying:
“And the messenger of God said unto me in a dream. . . I am the God of
Bethel, where thou anointedst a pillar (rock), where thou vowest a vow
unto me. . .”(Genesis 31: 11 – 13) The messenger of God said, “I am the
God of Bethel.” Not two Gods, but the messenger of God is none other
than the preincarnate Christ! Moreover, Yahweh warned Israel: “Behold,
I send a messenger (the messenger of Yahweh) before thee to keep thee in
the way, and to bring thee into the place I have prepared. (Ex 23: 20)
Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not, for he will not
pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him.” (The scribes got
it right in Mark when they asked, “who can forgive sins but God only?”)
The pre-incarnate Christ (the messenger of Yahweh) could forgive sins,
and God’s name (character) was in him.
(14) The literal Hebrew says, “Yahweh turned towards him.” He did not
look down from heaven. He was there beside him, as Yahweh and the
messenger of Yahweh are one in the Trinity! Yahweh said in verse 14, he
would save Israel through Gideon.
Gideon was in awe (22) when he realized he had seen the Messenger of
Yahweh face to face. He thought he would die because he had seen the
revelation of God. But God said in verse 23 “Be at peace; you will not
die.”
II. The Spirit of Yahweh came upon Gideon to lead in warfare (34 – 35).
III. Gideon, so human doubts.
So he set a fleece on the ground and said, “If in the morning dew is on
the fleece only, I will believe.” So God performed the miracle—but
Gideon still was not convinced, so that he said, “If in the morning dew
is not on the fleece but on the ground only, I will believe God.” God
performed this miracle.
IV. God says the people for war are too many: “Whosoever is afraid, let
him go home” (7: 3-6).
There returned 22,000. Only 10,000 remained. God said, “there are
still too many, lest Israel say we have delivered Israel ourselves.
God said, “take the people who bow down on their knees and drink water
at the river – send them home; and whoever laps water from their hands,
with these I will deliver Israel.” Only 300 remained. God said, “I
will deliver Israel by these dedicated men!”
V. Gideon on Reconnaissance (7: 9 – 14)
Gideon sneaked into the camp of the enemy, and heard an enemy soldier
relate a dream about a cake of barley bread smashing a tent. The
dreamer exclaimed, “This is the sword of Gideon!”
VI. Gideon returned and worshipped (7:15).
VII. On the hills above the enemy, Gideon divided the 300 into three
companies (7: 16 – 20).
He gave to each a torch and a pitcher to hide the torch until the proper
time. Each was given a trumpet and a sword. Gideon said, “As I do you
do.” (The Pastor is the leader, but we are not to follow wayward
shepherds!) Gideon said, “When I blow the trumpet, say ‘the sword of
the Lord and of Gideon!’”(18) So they broke the pitchers for the
torches to shine (Our egos must be broken if the light of God is to
shine out of our lives!) They blew the trumpets and cried, “The sword
of the Lord and of Gideon.” The enemy scattered! (20) Every man stood
in his place. (21) Would to God He could say that of us!
VIII. Thus Gideon and the 300 delivered Israel from the Amalekites and
the Midianites!
Conclusion:
We are engaged in spiritual warfare. May we be found in our place! O
lost person, join
the army of God!
