Gideon’s Call to Deliver Israel

INTRODUCTION: The Israelites are in trouble again. This time, God sends help through an unlikely leader—so that God will get the glory.

1. CONQUEST OF THE MIDIANITES (Judges 6:1-6)
1. The Oppression of Midian (Judges 6:1)
1. A desert people dwelling south and east of Palestine
2. The fourth of six oppressors in the book of Judges
1. Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8)
2. Moab (Judges 3:12)
3. Canaan (Judges 4:2)
4. Midian (Judges 6:1)
5. Ammon (Judges 10:7-8)
6. Philistia (Judges 13:1)
3. Another oppression caused by the sin of Israel
4. Lasting a total of seven years
2. The Fear of the Israelites (Judges 6:2)
1. Their defeat in battle Midian prevailed.
2. Their hiding in caves
3. The Poverty of the Israelites (Judges 6:3-6)
1. The destruction of their crops and herds (Judges 6:3-5)
2. The resulting poverty of the land and people (Judges 6:6)
2. CRY OF THE ISRAELITES (Judges 6:7-10)
1. Israel Again Cries to the Lord (Judges 6:7).
2. The Lord Sends a Prophet to Them (Judges 6:8-10).
1. The Lord delivered them from Egypt (Judges 6:8-9).
2. The Lord gave them the land (Judges 6:9).
3. The Lord warned them of false gods (Judges 6:10).
4. The people did not obey His voice (Judges 6:10).
3. CALL OF GIDEON (Judges 6:11-16)
1. His Circumstances (Judges 6:11)
1. He is working God calls those who are already working.
2. He is hiding.
3. Gods angel is watching him.
2. Gods Confidence in Gideon (Judges 6:12-13)
1. The angel appears to Gideon (Judges 6:12).
1. He assures him of Gods presence.
2. He calls him a mighty man of valour.
3. NOTE: The contrast between the words of the angel and the picture of Gideon hiding behind the winepress are striking. Surely, the Lord is not simply mocking him. He is showing Gideon what he could be with the Lords presence. If Gideon will look to the Lord who is with him, he will be a mighty man of valor.
2. Gideon replies with hard questions (Judges 6:13).
1. Why have these things befallen us?
2. Where are all Gods miracles?
3. NOTE:  These questions show strength of character in Gideon. He was disgusted that nothing was happening to show the power of God. He knew the old stories and longed for the God of his fathers.
3. Gods Commission to Gideon (Judges 6:14)
1. The Lord looked upon him God pays attention to Gideon.
2. He commissions Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
3. He assures Gideon that he is sent by God Himself.
4. Gods Comfort to Gideon (Judges 6:15-16)
1. Gideon excuses himself as unable (Judges 6:15).
1. My family is poor.
2. I am the least in my fathers house.
2. God assures Gideon of victory (Judges 6:16).
1. He will be with him.
2. He will destroy the Midianites.
4. CONVERSION OF GIDEON (Judges 6:17-24)
1. Gideon Seeks a Sign of His Calling (Judges 6:17-18).
2. Gideon Presents a Meal to the Angel (Judges 6:18-19).
3. The Meal Is Consumed by Fire out of the Rock (Judges 6:20-21).
4. Gideon Is Convinced That the Call Is from God (Judges 6:22-24).
1. He has seen an angel of the Lord (Judges 6:22).
2. The Lord assures him that he will not die (Judges 6:23).
3. Gideon builds an altar (Judges 6:24).
1. Called Jehovah-Shalom
2. The Lord of peace or the Lord sends peace
5. CONSECRATION OF GIDEON (Judges 6:25-32)
1. The Instructions of the Lord (Judges 6:25-26)
1. Take a bullock (Judges 6:25).
1. Thy fathers bullock
2. A young bullock
3. The second bullock
4. A bullock seven years old
2. Throw down the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25).
3. Cut down the grove beside it (Judges 6:25).
4. Build an altar to the Lord (Judges 6:26).
1. On top of the rock
2. In the ordered place
5. Offer the bullock as a burnt sacrifice (Judges 6:26).
6. Burn the wood of the grove for the fire (Judges 6:26).
2. The Obedience of Gideon (Judges 6:27)
1. He did as the Lord said.
2. He did it at night because of fear.
3. He did it with the help of ten servants.
3. The Anger of the Men of the City (Judges 6:28-30)
1. Their discovery of the work (Judges 6:28)
2. Their discovery of Gideons responsibility (Judges 6:29)
3. Their demand for Gideons death (Judges 6:30)
4. Gideons Defense by His Father (Judges 6:31-32)
1. Joash mocks their defense of a god (Judges 6:31).
2. Joash calls his son Jerubbaal (let Baal plead for himself) (Judges 6:32).

CONCLUSION: God is going to use Gideon, not because Gideon is such a great man, but to show the greatness of the God who called him. God is not limited by our weaknesses. Our limitations simply give Him room to demonstrate His power. If He were to call you to a great work, would you trust in His power and accept His call?