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It appears that up to this point Joash was "Straddling the Fence." He most vertainly knew about Yahweh but chose to worship an idol to keep the peace, so to speak. In choosing to do this, he led his son astray. Gideon's action certainly rocked the boat. Gideon had to make a choice and the choice was not one that would be met with acclaim. Gideon probably thought about the difficult position his actions would place his father in. However, Gideoon had begun to realize that the only right choice was in uncompromisingly following God. Joash when confronted with the reality of Gideon's decision caused him to get off the fence and choose that day whom he woould serve!

The Spirit of The Lord inspired Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites. Just as in the cases of Jephthah, Samson, and Kenaz, the Spirit of The Lord gave ordinary men the power to do extraordinary things by giving them an increas in their physical and mental abilities.

As a disciple of Christ we are pupils and followers. I agree that Paul said it best in Romans 7....We are of the flesh, sold into slavery under sin. Our old nature rebels and if we attempt to deal with it on our own strenth, we fail. Becoming a follower of Christ does not eradicate all of our old sinful nature but, with Christ who gives the strenth to endure and overcome, we can perservere. We must remember that God looks on the heart of man. He knows our shortcomings and is able to refine us. This is a lifelong process. This is where Grace and Mercy comes in.

The first commandment commands us to not to have any gods before God. This means that we are to put God first. In the matter of honoring our parents, we are to show them respect and politeness even if their views are different than the Lord's. But, we are to follow the teachings of the bible and not be disobedient to God. Jesus said that his presence requires a decision. As we follow him we will invariably meet with some opposition because our goals, lifestyle, and purpose will be different. While we are not to neglect our parents, our first priority will be to God.

God's law specifically forbids idol worship. Like Joshua, we must choose whom we will serve. Gideon was instructed to tear down the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole and replace them with an altar to the Lord. This involved a risk though, as the punishment was death by stoning. Due to his fear of the reaction of the townspeople should they see him demolishing these by day, Gideon did this at night. It seems that Gideon's decision to do this at night was out of fear, perhaps for his family. It also seems that while he had faith in God to do what was commanded, he still was apprehensive about taking a visible stand at that point in time.

God's answer to Gideon's self-image is, "But I will be with you." In other words, "You don't have to worry or fret because I AM that I AM has your back!" Just like Gideon, we see ourselves as we are, not as God sees us. Who are we to tell God of our limitations? This brings to mind something I recently heard--"We should look to the future but also remember the past." God has worked so many things in my own life that, I know that I know, I could not have done on my own. Therefore, I trust Him to continue to work in my life. Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us. Philippians 4:13 says that we can do ALL things through Christ who strenghtens us. Father, I thank you that you do not see me as I see me. You knew us before we were formed in our mother's womb. It is your desire that we learn to completely lean and trust on you. Let us be pliable to the leading of the Holy Spirit. May we have a fresh anointing each day. Guid us into the paths of righteousness, We may be weak in small naturally but, we serve a Great God in whom nothing is impossble for me. HALLEJULLUJAH! AMEN!!

God saw Gideon as a Mighty Warrior. Gideon saw himself as Weak and Small. Gideon only saw his limitations not his "un-limitations" that God could provide him. Like Gideon, we make excuses and when we do that we are not standing on God's promises. We see ourselves with our natural eye--weak and cowardly. Yet, we do well to remeber that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. God will often challenge us to get outside the box. God never sends us in a battle that we are ill-equipped to fight and emerge victorious!

Israel had begun to worship the gods of the Amorites and that was the reason for their oppressed state. They had broken the first commandment--- "Thou shall have no other gods before me." This commandment was nothing new to them, they had been forwarned by God that He would not tolerate anything or anybody being placed before Him. Yet, they failed to listen. I wonder if they were listening with their ears only and not with their ears and heart. We Christians today must be careful that we don't put God 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. We must be careful not to let our jobs, money, houses, cars, or any other thing we deem important, take first place in our lives. These "things" can become our idols.

Gideon is bascially saying that God has abandoned them by allowing the hardships, terror, and calamities that the Midianites have afflicted on them. He had heard all about all the miraculous things God had done for his people, but Gideon had not seen any evidence of God's miraculous powers in his time. However, Gideon was wrong in his assumption that God had abandoned them. It was the people who had abandoned God. When things go wrong in our lives (and they do), we tend to blame God for our problems. We ask "Where is God in my situation?" The answer: God is always where He is---right there with us. We must be careful not to blame God when things go wrong because this opens the door to sin, rebellion, and backsliding. God is not the reason for our troubles but HE is the solution!

Hi...My name is Madlyn. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago. I am an avid bible student. I lead a Women's Bible Study and teach Sunday School. This is my first Internet Bible Study and I am eagerly looking forward to this journey. God Bless all who are traveling in this journey.