Joanie

Hello, I'm Joanie (middle name) and I live beside the sea. Silver Sands, Mandurah, Western Australia. Somehow my hello to you went into the study notes dated 10th March 2003 so this is actually my 'While we are absent one from the other, may The Lord watch between me and you' Thanking The Lord Jesus for allowing me to complete all the questions, even although they became almost a week behind. The many ponderings within my heart seem to take a while to express themselves. And because of the Lenten Series, the Gideon Study was kind of alone. But never alone With Him. Jesus loves me

Gideon Lesson 5 Question 6 How does Gideon influence Israel during his life? (8:28-35) What is the positive continuing effect of his leadership as judge? God blesses Gideon's influence in Israel as judge, even though Gideon's ephod leads people into idolatry. Midian was subdued by Israel. Midian never recovered and was at peace. Gideon's leadership keeps Israel strong enough both spiritually and militarily that they are not troubled by invaders during his lifetime. Throughout this study we have seen The Spirit of The Lord come upon Gideon and through Gideon save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. We need to realize that Gideon's heroism was not a product of his natural make-up, but the outcome of a transforming spiritual experience. This may help with Gideon's legacy which end in sadness. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. And . . . "No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. When God made the first covenant with Israel at Sinai, He said, "If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me from among all peoples" (Exodus 19:5) But Israel, alas, had not the power to obey. Their whole nature was carnal and sinful. In the covenant there was no provision for the grace that should make them obedient. The law only served to show them their sin. Making it impossible for them to Continue Faithful. We need to be at great pains to keep the contrast between the Old and the New Testament very clear. The Old Testament had a wonderful measure of grace, which Gideon and many others experienced, but not enough for the Continual Abiding in the faith of obedience. That is the definite promise of the New Testament, the fruit of heart renewal and the power of the Holy Spirit leading the soul and revealing the fulness of grace to keep us 'unblameable in holiness.' "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. I will put My law in their inward parts, and in their hearts will I write it." Jeremiah 31 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:27 "I The Lord have spoken it, and I will do it." Ezekiel 36:36 Amen

Gideon Lesson 5 Question 5 Why is spiritual unfaithfulness looked at as prostitution or adultery? (8:24-27) What is the concept of God's relationship to his people which underlies this analogy? What kinds of temptations to spiritual adultery do you face today? Spiritual unfaithfulness is looked upon as prostitution or adultery. Because in the Bible Israel is spoken of as Yahweh's betrothed wife, in the same way as the Church is pictured as the bride of Christ. The painful serious, ongoing consequences of unfaithfulness between husband and wife in the natural realm is to help us understand what God is saying here. The kinds of temptations to spiritual adultery for me to face today are seemingly the same as those given by me in the earlier Lesson 1 Question 2 writings. Anything, including family and loved ones that becomes more important to me than God. Becomes an idol. Thank God, through Jesus Christ for the new life which the New Covenant gives me. The Gospel of St.John teaches me about how the very life of Jesus has become mine, and my being united with Him just as He was with the Father.

Gideon Lesson 5 Question 4 What is a snare? In what way does Gideon's ephod ensnare his family and the people of Israel? (8:24-27) How can something be a sin if we don't see it as a sin? What was the essence of the sin the Israelites committed? What is the essence of Gideon's sin? A snare is anything serving to entrap, entangle, or catch unawares; a trap. Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshipping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. Gideon wouldn't have intentionally created an idol, he had torn down Canaanite idols to Baal and Astarte (6:28). But the precious golden garment he created was an abomination. It appears to substitue for the ephod reserved for the high priest's use only and may have set Gideon up as a seer to determine God's will for Israel instead of the high priest (10) And even if Gideon didn't worship the ephod as an idol, certainly many worshipped it as such. The ephod in Ophrah became a source of sin. To be able to sin without seeing we are sinning. What a terrible warning for all of us. We need to keep our eyes on God for only His Holy Spirit within us can discern sin. The essence of the Israelites sin was to worship once again what they could see in the natural realm instead of worshipping the invisible God himself. They worshipped the golden ephod garment. Idols don't appear to be idols or God's people would flee from them. They come disguised as something seemingly beautiful. Idolatry entraps people and lures them away from the worship of the true God. The essence of Gideon's sin was rather than serving the invisible God, they focus their attention on caring for the golden ephod which draws many pilgrim worshippers . . . with their money into the town. And, like his father before him. Gideon and his family become caretakers of a new object of worship. With all the blessings our Heavenly Father has poured out on us through Jesus Christ, we so need to learn from Gideon. God forbid that we should, without seeing it as sin, be worshipping the blessings instead of the invisible God. Thank God for the New Covenant. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." Ezekiel 36:27 "I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. I will put My law in their inward parts, and in their hearts will I write it." Jeremiah 31 "I the Lord Have spoken it, and I will do it." Ezekiel 36:36 Amen.

Gideon Lesson 5 Question 3 What is an ephod? (8:24-27) What might the gold ephod have looked like? "Ephod" is a trasliteration of the Hebrew noun 'ephod', and seems to refer to a sacred garment, though there is a lot of scholarly speculation. In the Old Testament the word is used of the high priest's garment (Exodus 28, 39). Others who wore less extravagant linen ephods were Samuel (l Samuel 2:18), priests (1 Samuel 22:18), and David (2 Samuel 6:14). Sometimes the Urim and Thummin in the high priest's ephod were used for determining the will of God.

Gideon Lesson 5 Queston 2 What does Gideon ask for his reward? (8:24-27) Was Gideon wrong to take a reward? Where did the sin begin? Gideon had one request, that each of the Israelites give him an earring from their share of the plunder. Modern soldiers are paid for their services, but in ancient times a soldier's pay was from the plunder stripped from the corpses of the opposing army or taken from the villages of the defeated. Terrible! But then, war was and is terrible! Gideon taking the gold, therefore was not wrong. It was appropriate to reward the courageous commander of a successful military victory. The problem came with what Gideon did with the gold. Money is like that. Money is a neutral element, but in how we hoard or spend it comes the sin. "Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family. "(8:27) Gideon wouldn't have intentionally created an idol, he had torn down Canaanite idols to Baal and Astarte (6:28). But the precious golden garment he created was an abomination. It appears to substitute for the ephod reserved for the high priest's use only, and may have set Gideon up as a seer to determine God's will for Israel instead of the hight priest. (10) And even if Gideon didn't worship the ephod as an idol, certainly many worshipped it as such. The ephod in Ophrah became a source of sin.

Gideon Lesson 5 Question 1 Why does Gideon refuse to be king over Israel? (Judges 8:22-23) In what sense would becoming king be treason? Why didn't the Israelites see bestowing kingship as treason? The Israelites believed Gideon saved them out of the hand of the Midianites and saw Gideon as the savior. This was a deception we all are in danger of. Believing that great men and women are what we need. When they are given us to point the way to Him. However, Gideon refuses to be king over Israel because Gideon knew it was the Lord who had saved them and he saw the Lord as savior, and to his credit, humbly points them to God, though he will act as judge and kind of interim leader throughout his lifetime. To understand why Gideon demurs, we need to understand the nature of the Kingdom of God. When Moses was leading the Israelites in the wilderness and the people of Israel gathered at the base of Mt. Sinai to receive the law, they were actually entering into covenant or relationship with God as their King. God was Israel's king and it would be treason, sacrilege, for Gideon to allow himself to be named king. Centuries later when the people clamor, 'Give us a king to lead us,' God says to Samuel, 'It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king' (1 Samuel 8:6-7). People are no different today. We all want to be loved and accepted by those around us. The other nations all had a king so the Israelites wanted a king. The Israelites didn't see bestowing kingship as treason because they saw Gideon as the savior. They had seemingly forsaken the covenant given them through Moses with God as their King. They wanted to worship man instead of God. Even after their forefathers had been given, "You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." (Exodus 19:4-6) And this precious Word is given us so we may learn from their mistakes how easy it is for all of us to want a leader that we can see. Our God is invisible, unseen . . . yet He is King of Kings. And we who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. We are are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 5 Why does Gideon slay Zebah and Zalmunna? Is he unjust or fulfilling his just obligation? (Numbers 35:16) Why does Romans 12:19 prohibit Christians from taking vengeance? (8:18-21) According to the standard of the time, Gideon has a family obligation to exact vengeance for his brothers' unjust deaths. Numbers 35:19 'The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shll put him to death.' We cannot fault him for this, though we can tremble at the anger that motivates this primitive justice. Just as we need to tremble at our own fate without the Sacrificial death on the Cross for our sins. We are saved from death only because when Our Heavenly Father looks upon us He sees The Holiness of His Son. Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins. Wonders of Wonders. Romans 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. So not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 5 Why does Gideon slay Zebah and Zalmunna? Is he unjust or fulfilling his just obligation? (Numbers 35:16) Why does Romans 12:19 prohibit Christians from taking vengeance? (8:18-21) According to the standard of the time, Gideon has a family obligation to exact vengeance for his brothers'

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 4 Why do the cities of Succoth and Peniel refuse aid to Gideon's army? (Judges 8:4-9) Why does Gideon punish these cities later? What is their sin? Is Gideon just? Can you think of a circumstance when a Christian might be guilty of the sin of Succoth and Peniel? (Judges 8:13-17) Rather than helping their brothers fight the common enemy as is their covenant responsibility as fellow Israelites, the cities of Succoth and Peniel are withholding aid until they make sure that the Midianites are thoroughly beaten. They even seem to ridicule Gideon's request for bread to give to his exhausted people. In refusing to help their fellow men fight the common enemy, Succoth and Peniel are both committing a terrible breach of hospitality to their own kinsmen and a grave sin against the God of the Covenant. We need to remember, in the light of Jesus' teaching our common enemy is in the spiritual realm. Ephesians 6:12 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' However, Gideon feels terrible anger and after his amazing victory given him by The Lord, returns to punish the cities of Succoth and Peniel. Gideons' terrible anger may have exceeded the provocation. But we must judge Gideon by his own light and cultural standards. And not by the light of Jesus' teaching which comes twelve hundred years later. This precious Word shines even more brightly for me upon the incredible Sacrifice God gave In Himself In Jesus. He hates sin far far more than Gideon and we have all sinned and death is what we all deserve. And yet, while we were sinners He came and gave His Life. He became our sin. He took upon Himself our sin so we could receive forgiveness and LIVE. Precious Blessed Easter Word. When I first began this Gideon Bible Study I learnt there was a Lenten Series 'Behold, The Lamb of God.' But the advice given was not to try and do two studies at the same time so I was a little disappointed because Easter is upon us and as I had already begun Gideon, I wanted to concentrate on the task at hand. Praise God. The Easter message is here also! A circumstance when a Christian might be guilty of the sin of Succoth and Peniel could be while our fellow Christians are reaping great victories while we seemingly are not and they ask us to help them in some small and perhaps insignificant way and we find some excuse to refuse. We are The Body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12 One may be as a foot. One may be as a hand. One may be as the ear. One may be as an eye. But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. The eye can never say to the hand, 'I do not need you.' The head cannot say to the feet, 'I do not need you.' God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those members that might otherwise seem less important. This makes for happiness among the members, so that the members have the same care for each other that they do for themselves. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, and if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 3 Why must Gideon vanquish the Midianite force of 15,000 men in Karkor: What danger do we face when we deal with problems only half-way? (Judges 8:10-12) Gideon lets nothing deter him from his single focus to destroy the remnants of the Midianite army of 15,000 men in Karkor. He must do this in order to protect his people from future invasions. When we deal with problems only halfway, the problem is much more likely to come back again with a vengeance and overcome us. Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Gideon was being obedient to God and walking in all the light God had given him. May we not be deterred by problems to the left and right but trust God to accomplish fully His Will. How blessed we are to have the light of Jesus' teaching. Romans 12:20 'Therefore, if your enemy hungers, feed him; If he thirsts, give him a drink . . . Ephesians 6:12 'For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.'

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 2 What does Gideon ask the Ephraimites to do? Why are they so angry? What do you learn from Gideon's approach to the Ephraimites' arrogance? (Judges 7:24-8:3) Gideon now asks the Ephraimites to help him with the fight against the Midianites. The Ephraimites do help and also experience great victory over the enemy. But the leaders of the Ephraimites are angry with Gideon for not asking them to help with the earlier battles. Gideon shows great restraint and instead of challenging the Ephraimites' arrogant complaints. He is very wise and praises their help even telling them that their victory is better than his. Gideon gives us a fine example to follow him in trusting in God's wisdom and restraint. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

Gideon Lesson 4 Question 1 Why does Gideon divide into three companies? What is the strategy with the trumpets, the empty jars, and the torches? (Judges 7:16-20) What was the result of this strategy? Why did this strategy work? (Judges 7:21-22) Gideon now knows the Lord is going to give him and his 300 men victory over the enemy. Gideon divides his skeleton force of 300 into three companies, with a line of men a few hundred feet apart. This way the enemy will feel like they are being attacked from all sides. Especially as the enemy thinks that one trumpet sounded is to direct an entire company of soldiers. But Gideon has given a trumpet and an empty jar with a torch inside to each of his 300 men. 'Watch me,' he tells them. 'Follow my lead. The jars are to hide the torches until the right time and then the jars will be shattered. Gideon has instructed his men to do exactly as he, Gideon does. The shattering of the pottery jars at night time will create a great deal of noise in order to confuse the enemy. Then, with torchlights suddenly appearing all around the Midianite camp, will give the impression of being surrounded. This strategy worked because in the confusion, while Gideons' men, each one, stood in his place, The Lord caused the enemy troops to begin fighting and killing each other from one end of the camp to the other. And they fled into the night to places far away.

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 6 What does the rolling barley loaf mean in the Midianite's dream? Why does the Lord show Gideon this dream (Judges 7: 13-14) The people of that day baked their bread as round lumps of dough that could sometimes bake into perfect wheels. And in the Midianite's dream, he saw one of these careening down hill into the camp. In his dream, the small loaf strikes and collapses a tent many times its size. The other Midianite interprets the dream out loud . . . in Gideon's hearing . . . as the Lord causing 'the sword of Gideon' to defeat the entire Midianite camp. God gave this dream because he is so Merciful and Gracious. He knew Gideon needed more encouragement to overcome any fear Gideon may still be feeling. This is especially wonderful because this time Gideon has not put out any fleeces but has chosen instead, to quietly trust In God. The Lord God knows what we need without us having to put out any fleeces. When we put our trust In The Lord Jesus Christ He gives us all the encouragement we need. And whatever else we may need. He Is Greatly To Be Praised. Amen.

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 5 What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"? The Lord said, If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go, but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you', he shall not go.' I thought about the lappers and the kneelers. And I lean towards 'God delights to work through those too weak to act on their own'. Maybe the lappers are the ones too afraid to kneel down. God knows the real reason. Many times God chooses the most unlikely to be His own. I love Ephesians 1 where God tells us He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. Glory He knows even before we are born those who will love Him. Even before the foundation of the world ! Glory

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 4 Why do we demand that God's directions make sense to us before we'll follow them? What's the spiritual danger here? We're afraid of being . . or being perceived as . . religious kooks. How can we balance blind obedience with getting confirmation through spiritual people whose discernment we trust? Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25 And until, like Gideon we learn this we will continue to demand signs and wonders before we will follow Him. Yielding to the flesh would cause us to become afraid of what others may think of us. Whereas to be led by The Spirit of God would keep our eyes upon Him - The Word of God. Spiritual people whose discernment we trust are God's great blessing to us and welcoming the godly into our homes is so very precious. And yet for me, there have been times when the Holy Spirit has led me into certain situations where there was no-one. But Him ! This was extremely painful for me. So much so I didn't think I could go on without someone to help me. I literally thought I was going to die. And in a way I did die. Leaning on others, was becoming 'my god'. Glory Be to God. Being left alone with Him has become my greatest blessing. This experience was given me while still in the midst of a precious family. However, He has set me free from trying to please and have others approval. Now I am free to love others, without expecting any love in return. But love them us unto The Lord and trust Him with whatever. Moment by moment The Spirit of The Lord is teaching me to receive from Him for all the everyday mundane circumstances of each day. Sometimes He still speaks to me through spiritual people whose discernment I trust and how I thank God for them. But now when they have gone or my family not able to be there for me I no longer feel 'left alone'. I love being led by The Spirit of God. Glory Glory Glory

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 3 Why did God feel Gideon's army was too large? Why was shrinking the army's size to a tiny band essential in restoring Israel's faith and allegiance? What kinds of pressures would Gideon be feeling NOT to obey God in shrinking his army? How was Gideon able to obey fully in this? God felt Gideon's army was too big an army to Give God The Glory. God wanted the army to become only a tiny band so that Israel would not be able to boast against God that her own strength had saved her. For 300 men to defeat an army of 135,000? Preposterous! That could only be considered a miracle, the intervention of God. God cannot allow Israel to take credit for the victory, or they'll restore their disastrous pattern of depending upon themselves and failing to rely upon the true God. Until Gideon came along it took seven years of oppression and poverty before they humbled themselves enough to 'cry out to the Lord for help'. Gideon could have been tempted to feel that he did not want to obey God concerning the 'shrinking army'. Surely the bigger the army, the better as the enemy had a great army. And what would the others think? But Gideon has learned two vital lessons. That God is surely directing him and secondly to obey God even when he does'nt understand the reason for God's command. If Gideon allows his pride to dissuade him from obedience he puts his whole army and country in jeopardy . . . and proves what God has just said about men's tendency to pride at their achievements. Gideon's humility before God helps him.

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 2 When, if ever, should we ask God to confirm his direction with a sign? What is the danger of demanding a sign? We can certainly empathize with Gideon. How often have we felt God's leading, but need assurance again . . . and yet again. But God is so gracious. This message is so very encouraging for me and how I love God's amazing Grace and Mercy and 'What is man that You are mindful of him.' Maybe there are times when this kind of assurance is necessary. However, for me the answer is in the Romans 14 word from the Amplified Bible. 'For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin - that is, whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful. This chapter is about 'doing what we do as unto God' and those that 'do not do' and yet still, 'as unto God.' Actually, these questions have become ponderings within me. Longing to understand, I put out a little fleece a few days ago about the matter to see where The Spirit of God would lead. The Heavenly Father was just wonderful, even gently smiling at my earnest endeavour to be able to answer these questions. He knows me far better than I know myself ! O, give thanks for the merciful and gracious Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has given me this word in Romans 14. He may give others what he gave Gideon. The Lord Jesus is so merciful and gracious. Who satisfies your mouth (your necessity and desire at your personal age) with good; so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's (strong, overcoming, soaring) ! Psalm 103 Amplified. My Heavenly Father wants me to trust Him, even when I am totally unable to see how He is going to work out His will ! And by giving me Romans 14, He is telling me I do not need to put out a fleece !

Gideon Lesson 3 Question 1 Why does Gideon put out a fleece before the Lord -- twice? Is this a sign of unbelief or belief? This is a "testing" of God? How does it differ from the sinful testings of God the scripture warns against? The Spirit of The Lord had come upon Gideon and the people had recognized the transforming power of God upon him, and flocked to Gideon when he blew the trumpet. God had appeared to Gideon and told him He, God would be with him and that, he Gideon would save Israel from their enemies. And yet here, we now have Gideon putting out a fleece before The Lord - not once but twice. Gideon was somehow overwhelmed by the enormity of the task and asks for divince assurance that this is really God's will he is pursuing. This is not a sign of unbelief. Gideon's request for re-assurance is humble and tentative - though bold at the same time. He does not want God to be angry with him and with his second request actually pleads for God's indulgence. He just seems to need assurance from God again and yet again that this is really God's will he is pursuing. The sinful testings of God the scripture warns us against were attempts to manipulate God into doing miracles to somehow prove Himself. But what Gideon was asking was for God to do a minor miracle to help Gideon anchor his full faith in The Lord. Gideon's request is in order to establish his faith, whereas sinful testings of God is to get God to do miracles to meet selfish needs.

Our Key Verse sums up the answer to this question. Judges 6 : 34 "Then The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him." This Gideon study has led me to 'Explore The Book' by J.Sidlow Baxter and most of the following is from his exposition and yet by the Grace of God has been given me through The Holy Spirit. And answers the question number five most beautifully. Judges 6 : 34 "The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, and Abi-ezer was gathered after him." He became at once a leader and a saviour of his people. The people recognized the transforming power of God in him, and flocked to him when he sounded his clarion. The story which follows in the Scripture account tells of Gideon's marvellous victory over Midian, and his freeing of Israel from the alien yoke. What a transformation had now taken place in Gideon ! He had now become controlled by The Holy Spirit. That thirty-fourth verse is noteworthy. A near translation would be : - "The Spirit of Jehovah clothed Himself with Gideon." Gideon's personality became, so to speak a garment in which God moved among men. What a sermon, then is this man to us ! Like the other judges and leaders of his era. This soul-saving, life-changing, character-transforming experience through which he passed may be known by ourselves - not in its outward accidentals, of course, but in its inward essentials. We may become truly converted to God, truly consecrated to His will, and really controlled by the Holy Spirit. And we may be taken up and used by God as definitely as Gideon was. Converted, consecrated, Spirit-controlled ! - God grant that it may be true of ourselves ! We must get out eyes away from doubt-provoking circumstances, and fix them on The Word of God Himself. "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians Verse 24).

Up until this point Joash, the father of Gideon has greatly compromised himself by wavering unsteadily in the worship of both false gods and Yahweh. And in this he has failed miserably the children of Israel as their leader. Gideon could not possibly have known the wonderful affect his choosing to be led by The Spirit of God would have on his father, Joash. He was afraid ! He did not know what his father or the men of the city might do. I do not think he realized he would be putting his father in the position where he would have to choose between the false gods and The One True God, Yahweh. But The Spirit of God knew ! All Gideon knew was that he was determined to obey God no matter what the consequences might be. Had not God appeared to Gideon in a most wonderful way ? Telling Gideon 'The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor !' And, 'Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you ?' Then again, 'Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.' Joash, the father of Gideon now uncompromisingly takes the side of his son and Yahweh. He has taken his stand, much like Joshua did a century before. What an amazing and precious word to all of us. Wht an encouragement, even if we are seemingly in circumstances where nothing much seems to be happening for The Glory of God. We may apply this to ourselves. In nine cases out of ten, the reason we have so little influence for Christ among our own family and loved ones is that we ourselves are not prepared to go to the length of full consecration to the will of God.

According to my Bible Dictionary the word 'disciple' in the New Testament means 'learner', 'pupil', 'one who is taught'. So, Yes, a learner disciple does 'disobey' but NOT usually because he wants to. Romans 7: 18 and 19 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am ! Who will deliver me from this body of death ? I thank God - through Jesus Christ our Lord ! Faith in The Spirit of The Lord and not yield to our flesh. This explains the oxymoron - The contradiction in Romans 8 : 7 and 8. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. This may explain why Joash defended his son against the men of the city. I think Joash really wanted to worship the one true God, but had somehow yielded to the flesh. Whereas Gideon had chosen to be led by The Spirit of God. By choosing to be led by The Spirit of God, I can now see very clearly what I didn't realize yesterday, that Gideon had actually greatly 'honored his father' by tearing down the Baal altar his father had built. We thank God Gideon chose to be led by The Spirit of God and not yield to his flesh. Gideon's flesh was weak and afraid. But because he chose to be led by the Spirit of God. Gideon was able to be obedient to God and tear down the false 'idols'. Wow, what a great lesson of faith and courage this is for all of us. The following is from the book 'Absolute Surrender' by Andrew Murray : - Remember, dear friend, what we need is to come to decision and action. There are in Scripture two very different sorts of Christians. The Bible speaks in Romans, Corinthians and Galatians about yielding to the flesh; and that is the life of tens of thousands of believers. All their lack of joy in The Holy Spirit, and their lack of the liberty He gives, is just owing to the flesh. The Spirit is within them, but the flesh rules the life. To be led by The Spirit of God is what they need. The Spirit has come to keep the link with Him unbroken every moment. Praise God for The Holy Spirit. We are so accustomed to think of The Holy Spirit as a luxury, for special times, or for special ministers and men. But The Holy Spirit is necessary for every believer, every moment of the day. Praise God you have Him, and that He gives you the full experience of the deliverance in Christ, as He makes you free from the power of sin. Through the death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ we have access to The Holy Spirit every moment. The choice is ever before each one of us. We either yield to the flesh or by faith, moment by moment receive from the Holy Spirit in every given situation or circumstance. God works to will, and He is ready to work to do, but, alas ! many Christians misunderstand this. They think because they have the will, it is enough, and that now they are able to do. This is not so. The new will is a permanent gift, an attribute of the new nature. The power to do is not a permanent gift, but must be each moment received from The Holy Spirit. End of quote from Andrew Murray's book.

God tells Gideon to tear down the Baal altar and Asherah pole because before The Lord will deliver the Israelites from their enemies, he requires them to forsake the false gods they have turned to. God then tells Gideon to build a proper kind of altar to the Lord. This was risky because the Baal altar had been put there by Gideon's father, Joash. Gideon knew this could put his father Joash in a very difficult position before his family and then there was also the very real possibility that the other men of the city would seek to kill Gideon. This did make Gideon afraid so he did what God told him to do at night. Even the night mission took great courage. This was not a sign of weakness for Gideon because Gideon was intent on obeying what God had told him to do. Maybe he was afraid of hurting his father, Joash. But most important was that even if it meant hurting his father and upsetting the other men of the city, Gideon was determined to obey God. This was Gideon's first step of faith and showed great courage. Gideon was yet to learn the wonders of what obedience to God was going to bring him, his family and his people Israel.

Sorry The above answer belongs to the first question. The following belongs here Gideon has given us all a fine example of how to obey the commandment to "Honor our father and mother" in the situation he found himself. We have also been given Matthew 10: 37 'He who loves and takes more pleasure in father or mother than in Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves and takes more pleasure in son or daughter than in Me is not worthy of Me'. Gideon was determined to obey God, even if it meant hurting his father and upsetting his family and even being put to death by the other men of the city. Like Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, when I think of Gideon, I also think of courage and faith. What a blessing Gideon is to all of us.

God tells Gideon to tear down the Baal altar and Asherah pole because before The Lord will deliver the Israelites from their enemies, he requires them to forsake the false gods they have turned to. God then tells Gideon to build a proper kind of altar to the Lord. This was risky because the Baal altar had been put there by Gideon's father, Joash. Gideon knew this could put his father Joash in a very difficult position before his family and then there was also the very real possibility that the other men of the city would seek to kill Gideon. This did make Gideon afraid so he did what God told him to do at night. Even the night mission took great courage. This was not a sign of weakness for Gideon because Gideon was intent on obeying what God had told him to do. Maybe he was afraid of hurting his father, Joash. But most important was that even if it meant hurting his father and upsetting the other men of the city, Gideon was determined to obey God. This was Gideon's first step of faith and showed great courage. Gideon was yet to learn the wonders of what obedience to God was going to bring him, his family and his people Israel.