Helen

Gideon refuses to be king because that would be in denial of the kingship of God, established through the covenant. God would be their king. To usurp the position of a king is treason. To usurp the position of God is treason, when He is king. The Israelites don't see this because they are already developing the idea that they want a king they can see, like all the other nations around them. The general population don't conceive of God any more as their king. The desert and the specifics of the covenant made with God therein are forgotten. In the main they follow leaders they can physically relate to, wherever that leader may take them. In other words, peer pressure is what they are use to, and how they relate their lives.

Gideon had the obligation to kill Zebah and Zalmunna on the grounds of their activities as kings of Midian and the stealing of Israeli crops. Also they had killed Israeli men. Because the Israelis they killed included his brothers, Gideon was obliged to kill them personally (although he could give the task to his family member and son). If they had not killed his brothers he would not have killed them himself. However the Israeli army would have done it in that case I think. They may have been saved some face by not being killed by Gideon himself. Christians are freed from the horror of having to kill someone in revenge because God has noted the misdeed and will see to it. If the enemy has done something against the law of the land, which is put in place by God, that may be one of His instruments for dealing with him. However, the Bible says lots about "He who digs a pit for someone else will fall into it themselves" and "He who lives by the sword dies by the sword". This spiritual law is as effective as is the law of gravity. Father has taken that load off our shoulders - praise His Name. We are free to pray for our enemies and do good to those who curse us! Hallelujiah!

It is not enough to join in the victory celebrations. We have to join in the fight to be part of the victory. Succoth and Peniel were not willing to help their exhausted brother Israelites win the battle (the request was simple enough, feed the soldiers!). Therefore they were counted outside the victory and as if they assisted the enemy! By acting as traitors, they condemned themselves to the consequence - deserved punishment. Their sin was to desert the Israeli army when food was needed - to separate themselves from Israel and therefore to help the enemy (He who is not for Me is against Me). Gideon is just. He is fighting for all Israel, not excluding Peniel and Succoth, and needed the support of all Israel. A nation divided against itself cannot stand. Christians can easily fall into the sin of Succoth and Peniel. If they arenot right in the thick of the battle against satan, then they are supporting him, not Jesus. Divisiveness in the church, through gossip, criticism (especially of the annointing or calling of pastors) compares clearly with that sin. Jesus prayed His most important prayer for us all about unity, and each man (woman) must pass the unity test! Constantly!

The Midian army was used to taking the Israeli food supply. Unless they dealt with the whole army, this constant attack on Israeli food would continue, and the nation would still go hungry. It was not enough to get rid of 90% of the raiding parties. They needed to rid themselves of all of them. Additionally they made an example of them by taking the leaders also and putting them to death. Hence the crops were safe for that and future years. When we only half deal with a problem , it returns twice the size (angry!) We have to be very definitive about our problems, and not listen to the "do gooders" who support the rights of wrongdoers. Wrongdoers have no rights. Neither has anyone else for that matter! If we don't want the problem to continue to threaten us, then we have to deal with the problem, and that completely! An alcoholic does not give up half his drink - he completely give s it up, as must someone with a violence problem, a drug problem, etc. This is one of the problems with democracy. Decisions of this nature are so difficult to make and to defend. But we need decisive leadership.

Gideon asks the Ephraimites to come down from the mountains of Ephraim and seize all the waterholes from the Midianites. They did this and in addition captured and put to death two Midianite princes, Oreb and Zeeb. The Ephraimites were angry that they had not been asked to fight in the original gathering of the army. It would seem that Gideon wanted one tribe to continue with the farming of crops, especialy wine, so that there would be a harvest for Israel that year. He also asked them to regain the waterholes at a time when the army was exhausted, and the Ephraimites were fresh enough to tackle and defeat Midian. He reminded them what a contribution he had asked of them and they had performed very well, and showed them that their part was very important and necessary. When he spoke of their achievements they were happy. From feeling excluded, they learned to feel important in the whole scheme of things.

Dividing into three companies will enable Gideon to appear to surround the Midianites. The trumpets were to create a concerted cacophany. The jars were to hide the torches until the appropriate time when they could seem to appear out of no-where. Also the jars were to be broken noisily to add a different chord to the cacophany. The torches, appearing suddenly with the cacophany were to terrify the Midianite army and to create the effect that they were immediately and closely surrounded by an impossible enemy. The result was mayhem in the Midianite army, ie they began to fight each other. It worked because the word had got around about the dream and they were expecting to be defeated by Israel, and all this noise and lights suddenly coming upon them seemed to confirm their expectations. God's psychology is astounding!

The Midianites were coming in in droves and stealing the Israelite crops of wheat and barley. To the Midianites, Israel meant barley etc to steal for themselves. Thus the barley loaf meant Israel. The loaf knocking down the Midianite tents meant that Israel was going to "roll" Midian! (current street language in Australia for defeat). The Lord showed Gideon this dream to clarify for him the true spiritual situation. Something like "those who dig a pit will fall into it themselves". The Midianites knew their own guilt and its consequences in their heart of hearts. God made it clear both to the Midianites and to Gideon at the same time. This gave to Gideon the absolute certainty of what was about to happen, and thus total confidence in going ahead with God.

Some think the lappers (from hands) were still watchful and instantaneously ready for action. :H:owever it certainly is not a system man would have devised for selecting soldiers. It demonstrates clearly the superiority of obedience to the commandment over human intelligence! God knows what he has put in each man, and this was His wisdom for segregating them.

We demand to see sense because our society educates us to operate inthe power of the brain rather than that of the spirit. Brain power is great, but must be submitted to the Spirit of God to get the best results. The spiritual danger is that we have greater confidence in our own judgement than we do in our Creator's, and can easily miss His best plan for us. Balancing blind obedience with confirmation by any means is difficult because the obedience often needs to be an immediate response. The advice of elders is wonderful and often confirms the instance. However even this can be wrong. The final adjudicator is the peace within one's spirit. Sometimes, if one has one's own agenda in operation, it can be difficult to find where the peace lies. We have to identify the agenda that is operating, and get rid of that! Hebrews 4 is all about making sure that we enter God's rest. I think this is incredibly important in every situation, and knowing how to find it is the whole art of being a Christian!

The responsibilities of an elder, pastor or overseer sem to be much the same: they are service roles with responsibility for the members of the church, encouragement, strengthening, building up, etc. They are not role involving domination or control. There originally was a college of these leaders having responsibility together for the flock (church). They were respected older members of the churches who had long demonstrated their godly qualities.

God was kind to Gideon who needed confirmation about what he was to do, and I don't think God has changed a lot since then, praise His glorious Name. Gideon was in the middle of big ventures with God. He was no in any way setting God up, refusing to do as God wanted etc. just wanting to be sure he was on the right track.Upon receiving the sign that he was, he went right into doing the Lord's bidding, joyfully and assured of the Victory. God even proferred another way for him to check the plan, in sending him down into the enemy's camp to hear what they were saying. It is reasonable, when two work together, to double check everything with each other so that no misunderstandings accrue. In so doing, Gideon was able to proceed with total confidence in the plan. In current days we like to get checks on prophecy by receiving the same information from two to three different Godly sources. It confirms prophecy for us, and assists us to accept unikely scenarios with confidence, or not be surprised when they come to pass. I don't think Gideon "demanded" a sing, but asked reasonably for one. Demanding things is not the way to approach our King, or anyone for that matter. Esther did not "demand" a hearing from her husband-king, but considered it in order to request a hearing, having done the proper preparation. Humility is always a keynote factor!.

God felt that the men of Gideon's large army might assume they had won the battle by their own might and power, and assume they could repeat that. In so doing they could get themselves into inextricable situations which God could not support. He wanted to keep the focus on Himself, so that He could continue to direct the army into the brilliant destiny He had for the people of Israel. Shrinking the army's size so much meant that they could not mistake God's planning for their own cleverness, and would continue to ask Him for the directions they needed. If He is to get us to our brilliant destiny, He has to keep our focus on Him. Gideon might feel a lot of peer pressure from older soldiers who had done it in a different way, who "knew the ways of war better than Gideon". Others might see the method God outlined as madness. Gideon himself needed to confirm God's message to see that he had "got it right". Gideon was able to obey God fully in this, because he had dealings with God before, eg the angel of God who had him prepare the two sacrifices. He had the Holy Spirit in him, who is the Spirit of wisdom and truth, so that the peace he experienced in his heart would guide him. In other words he was under the annointing and in unity with God.

Gideon tested the fleece twice in case the first time was a "fluke" or momentary quirk of nature. To have the opposite thing happen on request cancelled the possibility that it was a chance event. Gideon was conservative by nature, liking to make certain that he was understanding correctly. It was not a sign of unbelief, but rather of confirming that this was a sure hope, a certain thing. The sinful testings, eg of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness (satan's territory?), twist scripture to make it mean something useful to selfish man. Scripture is used out of context (even if only slightly) to promote wrong action, disappointment and therefore unbelief.

With the rest of the peoples Gideon saw the gathering of the Midianites, but his inspiration to summon the army came from the Holy Spirit. Joshua was full of the Spirit of Wisdom. Othnies was given the Spirit of the Lord in response to the cry of the Israelites to God. Jephthah spoke all his words in wisdom before the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord moved upon Samson, sometimes mightily. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul at the news of the Ammonites malicious intentions. In other words the Spirit of the Lord came to the judges and leaders when trouble loomed, and when He was asked. The Spirit of the Lord was able to meet the situation with both wisdom and anger according to the need.

Joash has been more follower than leader, going along with the crowd in the worship of Baal and Ashtera. Gideon's action in pulling down the idols and preparing a sacrifice to the living God, seems to bring out Joash's pride in his son, his forefathers and their faith in God. Gideon seems to awaken something in his father. Dad ow has to make a choice, and courageously he make the right one. No doubt Gideon did consider the impact on his father. As his father's son he must certainly be aware of his father's ways of thinking. Gideon could hardly avoid considering how his father might react, the possibilities of family rows etc. He was certainly right in his father's territory. This would have affected Gideon's action in that it made him more highly aware of what he was doing. However he still was not submitting to evil, even though his father had. Joash was pushed into a corner, and we very often are when God is pursuing us! Corners are used very effectively by our Father to turn us around- and that's what this corner did for Joash. He is now a disciple of the Lord.

Disciples by definition are those who follow a leader. Therefore it is not possible to be a disobedient disciple. One has maybe left off being a disciple for the time being at least

Gideon is now a man before God, a man in charge of other men, and answerable for his actions himself (no longer under the authority of his parents). Above all he is answerable to God. Therefore He needs to obey God, not his father. That would be his justification. As adults we have the same responsibility before God. We cannot continue to blame our parents (who have done their best to rear us, but have now finished the task) but must make our own decisions and look to our own future as mature Children of the Living God. Even though we become independent of our parents, we still love them, attend to their welfare, pay attention to them. We can respect them, without necessarily holding to their opinions (as we respect other people in the community but do not always agree with them).

God tells Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole because they are in direct contradiction of the law God gave Moses "Thou shalt have no other gods but Me". There was no truth in them. Gideon was then to build a proper altar to God in a certain place (rock, stronghold), and burn the wood of the Asherah goddess in offeringa second bull as burnt sacrifice. In so doing he risked the anger of the townspeople, and whatever the consequences of that might be! Therefore Gideon decided to perform the burnt offering while the town slept. I believe this was a sign of faith, because in spite of therather terrifying possibilities of persecution he found a way to obey and honour God.

God's answer to Gideon was "I shall be with you and you will defeat!", as simple as that! When we open our heart to God, as Gideon did, even though he could not anticipate the result, things change dramatically. God is now in control, and nothing is the same! Everything is new again! Every healing that took place in the New Testament is a testament to what happens when people apply to God, everything is new again! When Peter submitted to Jesus on the subject of fishing, (Peter's profession), he caught more fish than ever before! When children submit to parents, when people forgive their enemies, when husbands and wives submit to each other in Christ, everything works, God can perform His miracles in their lives. When Paul placed the storm in God's hands, there was a miracle of survival on the ship, and when they were landed on Malta the miracles continued with joy. When the disciples prayed about Peter in prison, they could hardly believe that he was there, standing on their doorstep! Halleluia to our God who loves to be invited into every part of our lives. The most appropriate prayer must be one of thanks to our God who NEVER LEAVES US OR FORSAKES US. As we continually bring our affairs to Him, we will continually have amazing things to thank and praise Him for. "Thank you Father that you continually bring your light into the darkness of our lives, and the darkness cannot overcome the light."

God saw in Gideon a potential leader, someone who would listen to God, and therefore could become all God wanted him to be, namely a mighty man of valour! Gideon saw himself as a small man in the least important family in the unimportant tribe of Manasseh, and having no likelihood of leading the Israelites against the Midianites, not the ability to do this. God's perception is most accurate because He made us and knows what He put into us. However we are unable to fulfil that potential until we completely trust, obey and commit to God, giving up the opinions of others and the ways of people around us, seeking only His face. Self perception is inaccurate and totally blind to what God can do in us. Self perception considers only its own (unrecognisedly God-given) abilities, not the potential of a partnership with God as head.

Thle reason for the depressed state of Israel was that they had been unfaithful to God and broken the commandment to worship the Lord their God, and Him ONLY. They were not to stand in fear or awe of any other local gods. In fact God had specifically told them NOT to fear the gods of the Amorites who lived close-by. Yet the Israelites had done exactly what God commanded them not to do, both by Moses, and by this later prophet. We also today ask why there are not the healings and miracles of the days of Jesus. But, to what extent are we prepared to set ourselves apart to worship the Lord our God, to honour only the Name of Jesus, above the names that people around us honour, above the (peer) pressures of this world.

It seemed to kkGideon inconsistent for God to say He was with them when they were strugglilng so much for survival against the Midianites. God's miraculous help was no longer evident, yet they knew their miraculous history. His assessment of the facts was accurate - the Midianites were on top, and God's miracles had been absent. This was why he wanted God in the picture. He did have some belief left (as distinct from others). The reason for the lack of miracles was that the Israelites had again forsaken the ways of God and gone their own ways again. God could not protect them from their own rebellion. I ask about why I cannot receive the healing I need, yet I have the strong feeling it is very close. It's like Gideon abelieving God for help from the Midianites because of the former miracles, yet wondering. The danger is that we might believe satan's lie that God does not care for or help us, and even permits (gloats over) our problems (punishment). We can stop this with our awareness of scriptures which detail the blessings God wishes to bestow on us when we ask Him, and trust and obey Him.

I like the idea of being settled, established, strengthened and constantly honed (perfected), even though that comes after the suffering which everyone will experience (Christian or not) in this world. I certainly don't like the idea of suffering and getting no benefit out of it - surely that would increase my suffering and multiply it! But God makes all things work for good to those who are in Christ Jesus. So I will stay in Christ Jesus.

If we are unaware, or don't believe in satan, we give him free reign in our llives with all his lies and seductions. Ignorance is not bliss, it's our downfall, because Jesus prayed, from the cross, for forgiveness of our ignorance. Knowing God, life, truth, puts us in a much better position to ascertain satan's attacks and defeat him. Like a roaring lion, satan believes in his own power and looks for weaknesses which are his opportunities to destroy. He is the adversary, prowling, cat-like, and pouncing on weakness (eg trauma, doubt, unbelief) to install his lies, and gain his victim (slave). If I am playing hockey (football, tennis) I do a lot better if I know (perceive, ) the power and weakness of the opposition. Therefore I study their game and play my strengths to their weakness. Likewise with satan. He has only the power of the lie (father of lies such as "I can't" "I'm unlovable", "it's only a little sin, it doesn't matter", "Why is God doing this to you?") to cause us to fear, and to bind us into his way of thinking. But Jesus is the Light of the world, and also the Truth. Darkness has no power over light, and the lie has no power over the truth. Once we bring the light of Jesus to shine on the lie, and give us the truth in our heart of hearts, we are winners! Our game plays cannot be defeated! We need to be very experienced in this. He certainly is the Way! And He is the best coach for Life!

Peter's instructions consist of (a) be sober (of sound mind, not operating on drugs and alcohol stimulation, anger, fear or pain). ( be vigilant, (open your eyes, be aware and sensitive, not head in the sand, or careless of reality and opportunity) © resist satan - know where he is operating or could operate, pounce on him the moment he plays his hand, recognise the lie and refuse to adopt or submit at all to it. (d) Be steadfast in the faith, ie constantly enlarging your understanding of the Word of God, constantly obedient, doing all you can and standing firm, immovable, meeting with other christians for exhortation and doing all that scripture and the Holy Spirit suggest. (e) Expect suffering as Christ suffered in identifying with us, and like Him, look ahead to the glory. Similarities Both warn of satan's activities, calling him wily, or the adversary. Both advise strength in the Lord and His power, cf be steadfast in the faith (strong, knowledgeable, aware, obedient) Standing and resisting satan are similar. Both demand alertness and awareness constantly Differences Paul explains the satanic forces in greater detail, showing that we are not just fighting people (flesh and blood). He draws a picture of the armour of God, identifying a weaponry for our use.