Judges 7 verses 23 to 24 and Judge 8 Verses 1 to 9 December 12, 2021
Judges The Conquerors Heroes of the Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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· 2 viewsTo determine how to respond to personal criticism and to determine what role we each play in building up the people of God.
Notes
Transcript
Judges 7 verses 23 to 24 and Judge 8 Verses 1 to 9
Leadership Lessons of a Conqueror
December 12, 2021 Class Presentation Notes A
Background Scriptures: Proverbs 15:1, 16:32, Matthew 12:30
Main Idea: When God puts you in places of leadership and influence, there will always be opposition. As Christ-followers there will always be opposition from Satan, godless people, and critics. We can always trust God to be just.
Study Aim: To determine how to respond to personal criticism and to determine what role we each play in building up the people of God.
Create Interest:
· Many people live inconsistent lives. And inconsistency causes all kinds of problems, problems both for the inconsistent person and for those who observe his inconsistency living a contradictory life.
· If a person is up one day and down the next day, achieving one week and failing the next week, feeling pleased one moment and displeased the next moment—the person faces a miserable life and causes misery for others.
· The sense of failure and guilt, of coming short, is always within the heart of an inconsistent person. And tragically, while the inconsistent person is living in failure or sin and evil, he is influencing others to fail or commit sin and evil.
· Inconsistency—a life of strengths and weaknesses—was one of the major traits of Gideon. A picture of his fluctuating life, of both his strengths and weaknesses, is painted in the present passage of Scripture. This passage stands as a warning to us against living an inconsistent life.
Lesson in Historical Context:
Gideon was a man who sought peace, sought to avoid controversy among God’s people. What now happened is interesting.
· Gideon does what he is told, and there follows a famous victory. There is no success without obedience. Not that the scheme of deploying his three hundred men each with a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a torch hidden inside a jar, necessarily came as a direct instruction, from God. It may have done. But Gideon has grasped the principle, already noted in the case of Ehud,6 that God chooses ‘what is weak in the world to shame the strong … so that no human being might boast in the presence of God’.
· It is in obedience to that principle that he willingly accepts the ridiculous force of three hundred men as God’s weapon, divides it again so that each man is now part of a group of only one hundred, and gives them a command which involves no military skill whatever, but simply an ability to blow a trumpet, break a jar, and shout. (So much for the supposed soldierly instincts of those who had lapped water.) Only later will they be concerned with fighting; on the night of the battle, it is Midianites who fight each other, and ‘flee when no one pursues’. In the graphic words of 7:21, Gideon’s men ‘stood every man in his place … and all the army ran’. From three strategic points on the perimeter of the camp had come the sudden flare of torches, the braying of trumpets, and Israel’s war-cry, and God saw to the rest.
· After that, of course, someone did pursue. At this point came the turn of the discarded thousands, and of others from the tribe of Ephraim also, as the proud invaders who for so long had had everything their own way now fled, a disorganized rabble.
· Armed bands were quickly mobilized, river-crossings seized, enemy generals captured and killed (7:23–25).
· About Gideon himself, we cannot help but notice how he has grown in stature in the course of the chapter.
o True, when possessed by the Spirit in 6:34 he had blown a trumpet and found perhaps to his surprise that an armed rising resulted.
o But there is something more than that to the Gideon of 7:24, who issues military orders (to a tribe not his own, be it noted), and has them obeyed to the letter. Out of weakness he begins to be made strong, becomes mighty in war, and puts foreign armies to flight, as Hebrews 11:34 will phrase it.
· At last, the Midianites’ grip on Israel had been loosened. Freedom and security were in sight. But another enemy was already emerging, one which was more subtle and dangerous than the Midianites—the enemy within![1]
· With the previous judges, once God had rescued his people from oppression to idols and to enemies, the only further detail given is the length of the peace they enjoyed under that judge’s leadership. With Gideon, it’s not so simple. Israel is on a general downward spiral. And we see two things for the first time in the career of Gideon: the people beginning to “back-slide” during, rather than after, the rule of a judge-savior; and there are deep flaws in the judge-savior’s rule. So rather than summing up Gideon’s post-victory leadership in a verse, the writer of the book devotes two chapters to it.[2]
Bible Study:
Judges 7:23-25 (NASB)
23 The men of Israel were summoned from Naphtali and Asher and all Manasseh, and they pursued Midian.
24 Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against Midian and take the waters before them, as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan." So all the men of Ephraim were summoned and they took the waters as far as Beth-barah and the Jordan.
25 They captured the two leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and they killed Zeeb at the wine press of Zeeb, while they pursued Midian; and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from across the Jordan.
· At some point, the 300 Israelite soldiers began to pursue the enemy.
o It was obvious that so few men could never pursue literally thousands of enemy soldiers; therefore, Gideon immediately sent for reinforcements (v. 23).
· No doubt the inhabitants of the hill-country to the north and south of the valley of Jezreel were keeping a close watch on the situation, so it would not take long to bring them into action following the rout of the Midianites. The initial summons (6:35) had gone to the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali. Now it appears that a fresh call for assistance was issued. Those who had formerly been so fearful would take courage on hearing of Gideon’s success and it is probable that most of the members of his augmented army were among the original 32,000[3]earlier contingents who had been dismissed.
· Gideon summoned reinforcements from Naphtali, Asher, and all Manasseh to pursue the fleeing Midianites. Gideon also requested aid of the Ephraimites, who were well situated, to cut off the Midianites at strategic locations, preventing them from fording the Jordan River.[4]
o He sent messengers challenging Ephraim to cut off the retreating enemy at the Jordan River as far as Beth-Barah. The men of Ephraim accepted the challenge and reached the fords of the Jordan before the enemy soldiers. They attacked and obviously slew many of them, capturing and executing two of the Midianite commanders: Oreb (meaning “raven”) and Zeeb (meaning “wolf”).
§ Immediately following this execution, they brought the heads to Gideon who had just reached the Jordan River himself (vv. 24–25).
§ Gideon’s great victory over the Midianites became a landmark event in the history of Israel, not unlike the Battle of Waterloo for Great Britain, for it reminded the Jews of God’s power to deliver them from their enemies. The day of Midian was a great day that Israel would never forget (Ps. 83:11; Isa. 9:4; 10:26).[5]
Thoughts to Soak On:
· There are at least two strong lessons for us in this point:
o First: Faith is the victory. The person who believes God will be victorious in life.
§ God will give the genuine believer His presence and His power, the power to conquer, triumph, and overcome any enemy that attacks him. And there are many enemies that do attack us as we walk throughout life, enemies such as …
📷 addictions and enslavements, accidents and diseases, enticing passions and temptations, dangerous and threatening trials, people who ridicule, mock, or persecute us, people who abuse and enslave us.
§ If we trust God—really believe God and have faith in Him—God’s presence will never leave us nor forsake us.
📷 And He will empower us to conquer and overcome all enemies that seek to destroy us or to keep us out of the promised land. Faith in God is the victory.
Listen to what God’s Word shares with us…………………………….
· 1 John 5:4-5 (NASB)
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
· Matthew 17:20 (NASB)
20 And He *said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.
· John 3:14-15 (NASB)
14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
· John 5:24 (NASB)
24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.
· John 12:46 (NASB)
46 "I have come asLight into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.
· Romans 8:35-39 (NASB)
35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
· James 1:5-6 (NASB)
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
· Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Continuing Thoughts to Soak on:
o Second: The Lord has the power to change any person. This is seen in the life of Gideon. Just think what God did with this young farmer. His parents were pagan, idolatrous worshippers who were totally sold out to the false god Baal. Gideon’s father had even built a worship center in honor of Baal, donating the property and worship center to the local citizens.
§ Apparently, Gideon was a genuine believer in the LordGod, but his faith was weak and wavering. But through the events just studied, God took this young farmer and transformed him into a strong believer.
§ God changed the life of Gideon. And He can change the life of any human being.
📷 Only one element is necessary: faith. Faith in God. A person who wants to be changed, transformed—who wants to begin life anew, afresh, all over again—must trust God. He must have faith in God, believe God. And God will change him, transform him into a new creation.
Listen to what God’s Word shares with us………………………………………
· 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NASB)
16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
· Romans 12:1-2 (NASB)
1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
· Galatians 6:15 (NASB)
15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
· Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB)
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
· Colossians 3:10 (NASB)
10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
· Titus 3:4-5 (NASB)
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
· Psalm 51:10 (NASB)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
· Isaiah 40:31 (NASB)
31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
· Ezekiel 11:19 (NASB)
19 "And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,
More to Soak on from Warren Wiersbe
· Warren W. Wiersbe gives an excellent application of this point that is well worth quoting in its entirety:
o The church today can also learn from this event and be encouraged by it. God doesn’t need large numbers to accomplish His purposes, nor does He need especially gifted leaders. Gideon and his 300 men were available for God to use, and He enabled them to conquer the enemy and bring peace to the land. When the church starts to depend on “bigness”—big buildings, big crowds, big budgets—then faith becomes misplaced, and God can’t give His blessing. When leaders depend on their education, skill, and experience rather than in God, then God abandons them and looks for a Gideon.
§ The important thing is for us to be available for God to use just as He sees fit. We may not fully understand His plans, but we can fully trust His promises; and it’s faith in Him that gives the victory.[6]
Judges 8:1-3 (NASB)
1 Then the men of Ephraim said to him, "What is this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against Midian?" And they contended with him vigorously.
2 But he said to them, "What have I done now in comparison with you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3 "God has given the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb into your hands; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?" Then their anger toward him subsided when he said that.
· Vs. 1: The Ephraimites had not been summoned initially (6:35); they were not involved in the primary rout of Midian (7:24); they were called upon only at the last minute when it appeared the enemy might escape through their territory. All these are interpreted as more than a snub; it is action directed against the Ephraimites.
· The tribe of Ephraim felt snubbed, insulted because Gideon had not called for their help in the initial battle against Midian. Thus, they sent a delegation to confront Gideon. They complained bitterly, forcefully, and challenged his having bypassed them.
o Why would Ephraim complain against being involved in only “mopping-up operations”?
o Why would this tribe launch a complaint against Gideon for not giving them a part in the initial fight, claiming that they felt snubbed, insulted?
o It is true that Ephraim was a large, important tribe, second only to Judah. And because of this, they were a proud people who had earlier responded when the call of arms was issued by Ehud (3:26–29) and Barak (5:13–14).
o But note this fact: the Midianites had been oppressing the Israelites for seven long years. If the tribe of Ephraim was sincere, why had they themselves not earlier taken the lead and called all Israel to drive the Midianites out of the promised land?
o Scripture does not expose the true motive of the Ephraimites.
§ Perhaps they felt they were going to be bypassed in the distribution of the plunder of the Midianites.
§ Or perhaps the Spirit of God led Gideon not to appeal for Ephraim’s help because of their pride.
o God knew that He was going to reduce the number of fighting men down to 300. And because of Ephraim’s pride and warrior-like nature, most likely the tribe would have rebelled against having its ranks reduced.
· Vs. 2-3: The care with which Gideon chooses all his words in vv. 2–3 shows him at his diplomatic best. Taking to heart the adage that “A gentle answer turns away wrath/but a harsh word stirs up anger,” he offers a four-dimensional response.
o First, with a rhetorical question he minimizes his own role in comparison with theirs.
o Second, he flatters the tribe of Ephraim with a proverb, also cast as a rhetorical question but expecting a positive answer. The vintage of Abiezer (the clan to which Gideon belongs, 6:11) is insignificant compared to the gleaning of Ephraim.
§ To change the metaphor, the best the Abiezrites can produce is less than the scraps off the Ephraimite’s table. The proverb has the ring of a clever political slogan.
o Third, he acknowledges that God has rewarded their contribution by giving them the real trophies—the Midianite commanders Oreb and Zeeb.
o Fourth, he minimizes his personal role a second time, though with greater intensity.
Note for Historical Importance and understanding of our Gideon Study:
· This short episode is significant in the Gideon narrative and the Book of Judges as a whole for several reasons.
o First, it reveals to the reader something of Gideon’s personality. As the narrator’s final comment in v. 3 expresses, at his best Gideon is an extremely sensitive and effective diplomat: when he had finished his speech, the passions (rûaḥ, lit. “spirit”) of the Ephraimites relaxed (rāpâ).
§ Vs. 3: Their anger was abated.] Lit., their spirit was slackened. “His good words are as victorious as his sword; his pacification of friends better than the execution of enemies.” [Bp. Hall.] Worthy of discussion in class!
§ Vs. 3: God hath delivered them into your hands.] Whether they should take it well or not, he is faithful to his God in reminding these proud murmurers that the glory of all the achievements of that memorable day really belonged to God.[7]
§ At the same time, Gideon’s answer raises several questions. Why does he refer to God as “Elohim” rather than Yahweh (v. 3)?
§ Does this reflect his own fundamental disaffection from Yahweh, or is he accommodating his response to the spiritual disaffection of the Ephraimites?
§ It is hardly accidental that his use of “Elohim” echoes the comment of the Midianite in 7:14.
o In his defense, why does Gideon say nothing about his own call to divine service or his divine empowerment/inspiration by the Spirit of Yahweh?
§ According to 6:34–35 his summoning of the northern tribes and their response to his call were both expressive of his being “clothed” by Yahweh’s Spirit.
§ Nor does he say anything about God’s desire to defeat the Midianites with a minimal human force (7:1–8). Instead, his arguments are all psychologically rather than theologically based.
o Second, this series of episodes reveals some fundamental flaws in Israel as a nation.
§ On the one hand, many are fearful of the enemy (7:3) and apparently would rather not fight.
§ On the other hand, some are offended when they are not called. The tribal cohesion is crumbling.
§ Unlike the period of conquests under Joshua, it is impossible for the nation to operate in concert.
§ More specifically this episode exposes a fundamental problem with the Ephraimites that will resurface in 12:1–6. They are a self-centered and fractious lot, easily offended, and with an inflated estimation of their significance within the nation. Even in victory Israel remains her own worst enemy.[8]
§ The Ephraimites were satisfied with his answer, but a pattern of tribal infighting had been established (cp. 12:1–6; 20:1–48).[9]
Thought to Soak On:
· By the overthrow of the national enemy the Ephraimites were benefited as largely as any of the other neighboring tribes. But, upset at not having been sharers in the glory of the victory, their leading men could not repress their wounded pride; and the occasion only served to bring out an old and deeply seated feeling of jealous rivalry that subsisted between the tribes (Isa. 9:21)
· The discontent was groundless, for Gideon acted according to Divine directions; and besides, as their tribe was conterminous with that of Gideon, they might, had they been really fired with the flame of patriotic zeal, have volunteered their services in a movement against the common enemy.[10]
· Gideon’s response to them is respectful and diplomatic. He points out how much more powerful their tribe is than his clan (8:2)—and that they (unlike him) have already captured and killed two Midianite leaders (v 3).
· Ephraim’s snub and scolding must have been hard to take, but he holds his tongue—and, with their desire for glory and praise satisfied, “their resentment against him subsided” (v 3).[11]
· It is very dispiriting when we find ourselves criticized by other Christians, but Gideon gives us a positive example as to how we should handle it. Like him, we must have a humble attitude, show respect, speak to our critics calmly and remind them of the bigger work of which they are part.[12]
· We are to seek peace with all men, seek to avoid controversy among people, especially among God’s people.
· The spirit of peace is to be cultivated by believers. And peace is to be maintained as much as is possible. When differences, divisions, and strife arise, we are to do all we can to make peace.
Listen to what God’s Word shares with us………………………………………
· Matthew 5:9 (NASB)
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
· Mark 9:50 (NASB)
50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another."
· Romans 14:19 (NASB)
19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
· Philippians 2:3 (NASB)
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
· 2 Timothy 2:14 (NASB)
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
· 2 Timothy 2:24 (NASB)
24 The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
· Hebrews 12:14 (NASB)
14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
· James 3:16-17 (NASB)
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
· Psalm 133:1 (NASB)
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
· Proverbs 15:1 (NASB)
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
· Proverbs 17:14 (NASB)
14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
Let’s Move on
Judges 8:4-9 (NASB)
4 Then Gideon and the 300 men who were with him came to the Jordan and crossed over, weary yet pursuing.
5 He said to the men of Succoth, "Please give loaves of bread to the people who are following me, for they are weary, and I am pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian."
6 The leaders of Succoth said, "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hands, that we should give bread to your army?"
7 Gideon said, "All right, when the LORD has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will thrash your bodies with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers."
8 He went up from there to Penuel and spoke similarly to them; and the men of Penuel answered him just as the men of Succoth had answered.
9 So he spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, "When I return safely, I will tear down this tower."
· Vs. 4: As soon as Gideon could, he resumed the pursuit of the fleeing Midianite army and their two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna. He kept up the pursuit all the way to Succoth, which was some forty miles from the valley near the hill of Moreh where the battle had first taken place (7:1). He and the three hundred men who were with him crossed over, exhausted but still in pursuit: We can imagine how tired they were. They fought hard and pursued the enemy over a long distance.
o “If you, dear brethren and sisters, will give yourselves wholly to God’s work, although you will never get tired of it, you will often get tired in it. If a man has never tired himself with working for God, I should think he never has done any work that was worth doing.” (Spurgeon)
o “Let us also serve the Lord when every movement is painful, when even to think is wearisome. These men were faint. You know what it is for a soldier to be faint; it is no nonsense, no presence, it is real fainting. Yet to go running on when you are ready to faint, to keep right on when you are ready to drop, this is very trying work; yet let us do it, brethren, by God’s grace. Some people only pray when they feel like praying; but we need most to pray when we feel that we cannot pray. If we were only to preach, —some of us,—when we felt like preaching, we should not often preach.” (Spurgeon)[13]
· Vs. 5-7: Gideon asked the city of Succoth for supplies in order to refresh his troops.
o Vs 6: The number of the followers of Zebah and Zalmunna was still so formidable, and Gideon’s enterprise still so doubtful, that the men of Succoth (being on the same side of the Jordan) would not risk the vengeance of the Midianites by giving supplies to Gideon’s men.
· Succoth was in the valley or Ghor of the Jordan (v.5), and Penuel apparently in the mountain. No identification of Penuel has taken place. It was south of the brook Jabbok, and on Jacob’s way to Succoth. Gideon, journeying in the opposite direction to Jacob, comes from Succoth to Penuel.[14]
o As Gideon and the three hundred men pursued after Zebah and Zalmunna, two of the Midianitish kings, they crossed Jordan and reached Succoth in Gad. Gad was one of the two and a half tribes that lived on the east of Jordan; this gave them a detached feeling from the rest of the tribes. It has already been observed in the commentary on ch 5 that they “abode beyond Jordan” (5:17—they are referred to as Gilead) when called to battle against Jabin, king of Canaan, and Sisera, the captain of his host.
o Gideon’s request of them was perfectly reasonable and therefore he might have expected a positive response: “Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint” (v. 5). If the attitude displayed by Ephraim was disappointing and damaging, the response of the princes of Succoth and the men of Penuel was reprehensible. Sadly, the princes of Succoth not only refused to minister to the needs of their brethren, but they treated Gideon with the utmost contempt:
o "Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your hands, that we should give bread to your army?" (v. 6). They were more interested in preserving their own safety than in sustaining their brethren.
§ Indeed, they displayed a total lack of faith by preferring to place their confidence in the power of the Midianites.
§ They were dismissive of the ability of Gideon’s three hundred men to overcome thousands of Midianites.
§ There are few things more demoralizing for believers than to be engaged in the Lord’s battles and yet to be confronted with the disinterest and disdain of those who profess to belong to Him.
§ Peter, writing to saints who were scattered and suffering, stressed the importance of hospitality: “Use hospitality one of another without grudging” (1 Pet 4:9).[15]
o Note Gideon’s response: he warned the scoffers and unbelievers. By their sarcastic, mocking rejection, they were unpatriotic traitors and thereby assisting the enemy (v. 7). He would, therefore, execute justice upon his return. The battle was now taking place upon their soil; consequently, neutrality was impossible. They should have given assistance to their Israelite brothers.
· Vs. 8-9: Gideon moved on to the next town, Peniel (cf. Gen. 32:30–31), where he made the same request of them and received the same response. Likewise, his reply—as before—was similarly menacing: When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower (v. 9) It is not clear why Gideon focused on the tower. But references to the tower and thorns (though a different word in Hb.) foreshadow the story of Abimelech (Judg. 9:14–15, 51–52). Indeed, there are numerous linguistic parallels with this part of Gideon’s story and the following judges’ stories. As we move closer to the significant turning point in the story (8:22–27), Gideon is looking more and more like his renegade son. Such attitudes and behavior did not suddenly appear, but they slowly took over Gideon, step by step. We can be sure the son learned well from the father.[16]
· Vs. 8: As in the case of the attitude of the Ephraimites, the reaction of the men of Succoth and Penuel clearly shows how loose was the confederation between the tribes of Israel in the time of the judges. There was much intertribal strife and jealousy. Even the powerful kingdom of David and Solomon was later to split apart for much the same reasons.[17]
Thoughts to Soak On:
· When the people of Succoth and Penuel withheld their support from God’s work, they demonstrated they were against God’s work.
* Matthew 12:30—He that is not with me is against me. There is no neutrality or gray areas in God’s work. The refusal to give bread actually aided the enemy. It robbed the soldiers of strength that they needed to overcome their enemies. They played the role of traitor.
· Succoth and Penuel failed to realize that giving bread to Gideon’s men would assure them of future bread. So, what does Gideon do? Does he give up? No, he continues to go forward. He condemns their treacherous actions and said, “I will return and you will be punished!” Gideon wants total victory over the Midianites. He wants the job finished.[18]
· Here is a strong lesson for us in this point: we must issue a strong warning to the scoffers and unbelievers of this world.
o Courageously, we must stand forth and give warning to all who do wrong and fail to do right. This is the strong exhortation of Scripture:[19]
Listen to what the Word of God says…………………………………….
· Luke 17:2-3 (NASB)
2 "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.
3 "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
· 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NASB)
14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
· 1 Timothy 5:19-20 (NASB)
19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.
· 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB)
1 I solemnly charge youin the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
· Titus 2:15 (NASB)
15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
[1]Robinson, S. J. (2006). Opening up Judges(p. 47). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[2]Keller, T. (2013). Judges for You(p. 93). Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company.
[3]Cundall, A. E., & Morris, L. (1968). Judges and Ruth: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 7, p. 112). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
[4]Lindsey, F. D. (1985). Judges. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 394). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5]Wiersbe, W. W. (1994). Be available(pp. 66–67). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6]Wiersbe, W. W. (1994). Be available(pp. 66–67). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7]Millar, J. P. (1892). Judges(p. 381). New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
[8]Block, D. I. (1999). Judges, Ruth(Vol. 6, pp. 285–286). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9]Wright, P. (1998). Joshua and judges. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference.
[10]Jamieson, R. (n.d.). A Commentary, Critical, Experimental, and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments: Joshua–Esther (Vol. II, p. 93). London; Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company, Limited.
[11]Keller, T. (2013). Judges for You(p. 94). Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company.
[12]Robinson, S. J. (2006). Opening up Judges(p. 48). Leominster: Day One Publications.
[13]Guzik, D. (2013). Judges(Jdg 8:4–9). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.
[14]Barnes, A. (1879). Notes on the Old Testament: Exodus to Ruth. (F. C. Cook & J. M. Fuller, Eds.) (pp. 436–437). London: John Murray.
[15]Grant, S., Lacey, C. T., & Flaniga, J. M. (2009). Joshua, Judges and Ruth. (W. S. Stevely & D. E. West, Eds.) (p. 344). John Ritchie.
[16]Brown, C. A. (2012). Judges. In W. W. Gasque, R. L. Hubbard Jr., & R. K. Johnston (Eds.), Joshua, Judges, Ruth (p. 200). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
[17]Ridall, R. C. (1965). The Book of Judges. In Joshua through Esther (Vol. II, Jdg 8:4–9). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
[18]Mattoon, R. (2001). Treasures from Judges (p. 126). Springfield, IL: Rod Mattoon.
[19]Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (2001). Judges, Ruth(p.93- 99). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.