[Pastor Ralph]

Q1. (Judges 6:33-35) What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites. What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era? (Hint: see Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; 11:9; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 11:6.)

[Chris]

What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites. What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era? (Hint: see Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; 11:9; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 11:6.)

There was only one inspiration that inspired Gideon to blow the battle horn and that was the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. As we know today the Holy Spirit is just as powerful in our lives as it was then and we all need to allow ourselves to be strengthened by the Spirit in all we do for Christ.

The common demoninator between Gideon and other judges and leaders of his era is the fact that God was ultimately in control in each of their lives and in some cases they were not fully aware of it. He was in control of every one of them, albeit in different ways. If we study the Bible closely we do see God 's works throughout. The same too, if we look back in our own lives we too will also see how God has worked in and through us in every situation we have experienced.

The Holy Spirit is an important part of all Christians lives today and providing we allow it will help us to discern right from wrong and will guide us to live our life as Christ would want us to.

[Mario Angel]

The Spirit of the Lord inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn because the time had come for the Israelites to be set free from the Midianites. He was obeying God's instructions and guidance.
Gideon have a lot in common with other judges and leaders of his era that obeyed God and acted under God's direction. All of them were inspired by the Spirit of the Lord and follow His lead.

[Andrew]

The spirit of the Lord inspires Gideon to blow the horned trumpet for battle. Gideon has God in common with other judges and leaders in that Gideon actions are by God's calling.

[Peggie]

The Holy Spirit inspired Gideon to blow the trumpet and we don't see for a second that he hesitated.

If we would all be so quick to obey!!!

[KITTY MILLS]

God's Spirit is Gideon's inspiration. Gideon, like the other judges and leaders,
is awakened to his ability to make a difference, rather than continue as is. He becomes aware that the Spirit will enable him to become "a mighty man of valor". God's Spirit becomes our strength and our courage. With God all things are possible.

[Marjorie Knight]

The Holy Spirit came upon him just as it
did in the Old testemant when the leaders
were summoned by God to go into battle. The
blowing of the horn was to call the people together.

[Barbara Momphard]

3. What kind of leader has Gideon's father Joash been up to this point? (6:25b)

Joash was apparently one of the main leaders in …he built Baal and was in charge of the care of it. He apparently worshipped the pagan gods.

How does Gideon's action affect his father? (6:30-31)

It caused him to stand up for his son and the true God. Also, saved him from worshipping false gods.

Shouldn't Gideon have considered the impact on his father?

No, he had instructions from God. He also may have known that his father wasn’t really a true follower of the pagan gods.

How should this have affected Gideon's action?

I think he prayed that his father would return to the true God.

In what sense is Joash a follower of Yahweh now?

He stood up to the towns people and also confronted Baal to defend self against God.

What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites.

“under leaderhip and inspiration of the Spirit”


What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era? (Hint: see Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; 11:9; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 11:6.)

He was full of wisdom of the Spirit of the Lord.

[Darleen Nelson]

:rolleyes:God told Gideon to sound the horn to call all the men of the tribe of Abiezrite to follow him. They must have been the only ones close enough to hear the horn as he sent messengers to the other tribes to join them. Gideon was like the other judges who let the Spirit of the Lord take control of their lives and guide them in the way God wanted them to go. When the judges did that and the people obeyed they prospered but when they turned their backs on God they did not. We are also given the Holy Spirit to guide is in what God wants us to do. If we walk according to His guidance we will prosper.

[Omie]

+ God's Spirit entered Gideon, he blew the Shofar horn for the Abezrites to follow him into battle.

+ The Spirit of the Lord was with each of these leaders mentioned. These men all had powers given to them by God.
In Samuel it is Saul, that mighty man of God who destroyed the enemy of Israel. Saul then became King.

[Omie]

+ God's Spirit entered Gideon, he blew the Shofar horn for the Abezrites to follow him into battle.

+ The Spirit of the Lord was with each of these leaders mentioned. These men all had powers given to them by God.
In Samuel it is Saul, that mighty man of God who destroyed the enemy of Israel. Saul then became King.

[Peter Huang]

It is the spirit of the Lord which inspires Gideon to blow his horn to summon his people to fight the Midianites. He was acting under God's direction and wisdom. In this respect he had in common with other leaders of his era The Lord's spirit with him in whatever he did.So too should we in our daily lives act according to the inspiration of the Holy spirit.

[Vickie]

"But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet..." Judges 6:34

"Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom." Deut. 34:9

"The Spirit of the Lord came upon [Othniel]." Judges 3:10

"So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, 'If you take me back home to fight...and the Lord delivers them to me, shall I be your head?'" Judges 11:9

"And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon [Samson]." Judges 13:25

"And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon [Samson]." Judges 14:6

"Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul." 1 Samuel 11:6

"As a beast goes down into the valley
And the Spirit of the Lord causes him to rest,
So You lead Your people,
To make Yourself a glorious name." Isaiah 63:14

(NKJ 1996 Tyndale House Publishers, written by GOD)


LORD, I THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD AND GUIDE ME. FATHER, PLEASE DO NOT LET ME IGNORE YOUR CALLING. LET ME BE A BEACON OF LIGHT FOR YOU, A TRUSTED SERVANT. IN JESUS' HOLY NAME, AMEN

[Helen Williams]

The spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon to take action and he blew the trumpet. The Holy spirit gives us the stregth to do that which we cannot do ourselves.

The Spirit of God so dwells with Gideon that he is clothed in God's Spirit.

In the Old Testament it is stated in the scriptures that the leaders and judges were full of the spirit of God just as Gideon .
I pray that God gives me the courage and strength that Gideon had and when I feel I can't, the Spirit of God will dwell with me. I will be moved to action.
I am receiving so much from this study by reading the inspirational words of others.

[Julie]

The Counselor, Comforter, the Spirit, the third person of the Trinity- the Holy Spirit. Gideon along with other judges and leaders were filled with the Holy spirit. The Holy Spirit lives and works in the hearts of each believer.

[Pat Beckner]

i am not sure where this reply belongs but just look what has happened so far because of Gideon's obedience.....Joash his father is out of idol worship as is the whole city. In verse 34 we see that the Abizerites were the first ones to back Gideon up. These were the same men who were after him for the alter being torn down...Isn't that just like Jesus? Changing one man so he can change another so he can change another and another and then they changing so.....

[Donald Henhawke]

The indwelling and outward expression of the Holy Spirit is all the inspiration that they needed, anything other is vainly contrived and ill concieved.


peace.

[Marvin Phelps]

The ram’s horn was blown under the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit as a sound to arms to engage the Midianites in battle. As with other judges and leaders of his era, Gideon’s actions were inspired and led by the Holy Spirit. Christians today have the Holy Spirit resident in our hearts which is our birthright when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. As with Gideon, we are strengthened by the Holy Spirit to serve God in a manner which is beyond our inherent human capabilities.

[bjcollin]

Pastor Ralph, on Jan 17 2003, 09:15 AM, said:

What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites. What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era? (Hint: see Deuteronomy 34:9; Judges 3:10; 11:9; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 11:6.) See Exposition.

I agree with Donald a few posts back. In verse 34, literally Gideon was clothed with the Spirit of Jehovah the Existing One and the Spirit and the Lord put upon him.

Per my nature, I had to delve a little deeper in this than meets the eye with this question:
Deu34:9 "male' ruwach chokmah" - "filled with the spirit of wisdom"
Jud3:10 "ruwach Yehovah hayah" - "The Spirit of the LORD came upon"
Jud6:34 "ruwach Yehovah labash" - "the Spirit of the LORD came upon"
Jud13:25 "ruwach Yehovah Pa'am" - "the Spirit of the LORD began to stir"
Judges14-15 "ruwach Yehovah" - "the Spirit of the LORD"
1Sam11:6 "ruwach 'elohiym" - "the Spirit of God came upon"

The common theme is the Spirit of the LORD, but in each instance there is a different way that the Holy Spirit deals with the individual He chooses to come upon. For example, with Joshua chokmah means wisdom in war/administration which made perfect sense for what God and Moses had passed on for him to do. For Gideon labash means to be clothed with or to put on either physical clothing or character attribute. Very interesting study.

[Mike Dickinson]

5. What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites.
God tells Gideon that if he goes down to the Midianite camp with his servant he will be encouraged if he listens to what is said there (Judges 7:9-11). We perhaps take it forgranted as we read through this account that in Gideon’s worship of God, as well as praising Him, he is also careful to listen to God. Secondly, Gideon is obedient to God’s words and acts upon them precisely.

Perhaps the Midianites wouldn’t associate the sound of a trumpet blast with the presence of God, however, the Israelites would from the accounts of their forefathers handed down to them. See for example Exodus 19:16;19. They would also associate the trumpet blasts with the traditional worship on the day of Atonement (Leviticus 25:9) A time when the Israelites would feel especially close to Yahweh. I’m sure the trumpet blast in the dead of night would not only put the fear of God into the Midianites, it would also give the Israelites much needed encouragement and assurance that they were not alone. God was with them for this battle just as He is today for ours.

What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era?
Having shortened the physical odds that Gideon had on his side for the battle, God, as in the case with other Judges, anoints Gideon with the Holy Spirit. I can only liken this experience to an adrenalin rush that releases a generally untapped confidence and power from within. And as the author of John's epistles wrote "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4)