Lesson 194 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).

Notes

A Small Band

For seven years the Children of Israel were oppressed by the Midianites who want to great numbers into the Land of Canaan to destroy it. When the Children of Israel called unto the Lord to deliver them, God raised up Gideon, a "mighty man of valour."

The Midianites were as numerous as grasshoppers. "Both they and their camels were without number." The army of the Israelites had numbered thirty-two thousand before God sifted out the fearful and unconcerned. When the army was put to God's test, only three hundred men remained in Gideon's band of warriors. The rest of the people went back to their tents. God's army today has a place only for those who are courageous, watchful, and obedient. Although they may be few in number, they are victorious through faith in the Lord.

Gideon had been told that God would deliver the Midianites into his hand. By the three hundred men the enemy would be routed. God does not give an impossible task to anyone, for with the command He also gives the power to carry out the command. God did not give Gideon an impossible assignment. Considering the warfare of those days, it appeared unwise for a man with a band of 300 to attack such a huge army; but Gideon was sent by the Lord. He fought by faith.

Encouragement

God knew that Gideon did not need more men; he needed encouragement for his faith. That is what God gave him. Gideon was instructed to go, that night, to the camp of the enemy to hear what they had to say. Gideon was obedient. He took Phurah, his servant, as a witness. Gideon was a brave and courageous man; more than that, he was obedient to God; his faith was in the Lord. No doubt they slipped very quietly and cautiously through the dark lest an enemy sentry would hear them. As they drew near the camp of the Midianites, they heard voices. Gideon and Phurah stopped to listen, for God had said that they would hear what the enemy had to say.

Gideon heard a Midianite telling about a dream that he had had. He had dreamed that a piece of barley breads tumbled into their camp and overturned a tent. Gideon did not hurry away. It was well that Gideon listened to the interpretation of the dream, for those were the words of encouragement that God wanted him to hear. Some people deny themselves a blessing and needed encouragement because they leave too soon " perhaps leave a meeting and the place of prayer, just short of receiving what God has for them.

As Gideon and Phurah listened, another Midianite told the meaning of the dream of his fellow soldiers. He said, "This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon." Then he continued by saying that God had given the Midianites into Gideon's hand. Even the enemy knew that they would be overcome by the God of the Israelites.

Worship

When Gideon heard the meaning of the dream, he worshiped God. He was just outside the camp of the enemy, on enemy soil, but he worshiped God. He did not wait until he had returned to his own tent. Let us follow Gideon's example to thank God for His goodness to us, to praise Him for His watchful care over us and the encouragement He gives. Wherever we are, we can lift our hearts in worship. Many people have found that the name of Jesus in a whispered prayer is a good weapon against the enemy, and good protection in time of danger.

Strange Weapons

Gideon was greatly encouraged. He returned to his men, divided them into three groups, and armed them in a strange way. Into the hands of each of the 300 men, Gideon put a trumpet, and a pitcher in which was placed a lamp. Thus the armies of Israel were prepared for battle. They were instructed to do as Gideon did -" to blow the trumpets when Gideon did and to shout when Gideon shouted.

The spiritual weapons which are available to God's people today are not as other weapons of war. Paul mentions this in his writings ([2CO:10:4]; [EPH:6:17]; [HEB:4:12]). When the shepherd boy, David, went to fight the armour-clad giant, Goliath, David conquered in the name of the Lord. David said: "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied" (I Samuel 17:45).

Christ, Our Example

Many of God's people have learned that they can be victors in every battle. They follow the example of their leader -" Christ. "Christ... suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps" (I Peter 2:21). In the time of temptation, what weapon did Jesus use? The Word of God. He told Satan, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). God's people overcome the enemy by the Word of the Lord, and by "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

Gideon's men let their lamps shine in the darkness. We are told to let our light "shine before men" (Mathew 5:16), and to "shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). Letting the light shine from their lamps helped Gideon's men to win the battle.

How many times the shout of victory on the lips of the redeemed has routed the enemy! The walls of Jericho fell by faith when the children of Israel obeyed God and shouted ([JOS:6:20]).

Following Their Leader

This Israelite army of 300 men had faith and confidence in their leader. The men did as Gideon told them to do. The three bands surrounded the enemy. Soon after the watch was changed, Gideon gave the signal. Then 300 trumpets were blown; 300 pitchers were broken; 300 lights shone around the enemy; and a shout went forth, "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon." The sword of the Lord in the hand of Gideon had won the victory.

Great terror gripped the hearts of the enemy. The noise, the light, and the shout in the still of the night confused the enemy, until they fled. In their fright, they fell upon one another's swords. The three companies of Gideon's men stood "every man in his place round about the camp." They did not rush into the fray as if eager to fight or to claim the spoils. They awaited orders from Gideon. It would be a fine lesson for us to learn from Gideon's men -" for every one to stay in his place. Can God depend on us to be in our places, awaiting His orders?

Complete Victory Wanted

Gideon was not satisfied with chasing the Midianites from Canaan. God had told him that the host of Midian was delivered into his hand. Even though 120,000 of the enemy were slain, about 15,000 fled with Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian. Gideon wanted all that God had promised. He wanted to do the work right -" not fulfil just part of God's command.

Ephraim

The men of Israel gathered and pursued the Midianites. Gideon sent word to the men of Epharaim, who captured two princes of the Midanites. The men of Ephraim reproved Gideon. They asked why he had treated them in such a way, for he had not called them sooner into battle with the Midianites. They were offended and perhaps jealous. Gideon was kind to them and said, "What have I done now in comparison of you?" Because of Gideon's meekness and humility the men of Ephraim were angry no longer and were peaceable. In this case, Gideon proved that "a soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1).

Judgement

Gideon pursued the remaining Midianites across the Jordan River. His men were tired and hungry. They asked bread of the men of Succoth and of the men of Penuel, both in the tribe of Gad (Israelites). This hospitality should have been given to any travellers, to say nothing of the chosen army of the Lord. But none would give to Gideon's men, and Gideon warned those selfish people that they would be punished for it. God later permitted Gideon to teach them not to hinder the armies of the Lord. Their judgement was severe but just, for they had not taken heed to the warning. Gideon did not return home until the enemies were slain and could not again oppress the Children of Israel.

God, Their Ruler

When Gideon and his men returned to Canaan, the Children of Israel wanted him and his family to rule over them because he had delivered them from the Midianites. In a spiritual way, those whom Christ has delivered from the hand of Satan want the Lord to be their Leader and the Ruler of their lives. Gideon was made their leader by the Lord, and he held that place until his death. He told the Children of Israel: "The LORD shall rule over you." Perhaps he felt very much like Paul who told the Corinthians to follow him as he followed Christ ([1CO:11:1]).

Death of Gideon

The Children of Israel lived in peace for forty years in the days of Gideon. It is true that he made a mistake; he failed to inquire of God. He, no doubt, intended to keep a memorial of the spoils. He gathered the golden earrings that had been taken from the enemies and made them into an ephod. This ephod, a part of the priest's apparel, became an object of idolatrous worship, and a snares to Gideon. How very carefully and prayerfully one must live lest a mistake will be a poor example that someone will follow!

After the death of Gideon, the Children of Israel forsook the true and living God. They made an idol their god. They forgot God who had delivered them from the enemy on every side. Nor did they show kindness to Gideon's family in appreciation of what he had done for them. Often it is the case; when one forgets God, he also forgets those who have been his friends.

Questions

1. How did Gideon become the leader of the Israelites?

2. Why was his army so small?

3. What was the dream of the Midianite? and what was its meaning?

4. What weapons did Gideon's men use?

5. Why were Gideon and his band successful?

6. How can we let our "lights" shine?

7. Why should we let our "lights" shine?

8. Why did the men shout: "The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon?

9. Why did Gideon chase and completely destroy the enemy?