FAITH
Text: Hebrews 11
Lesson Nineteen – V.32
Examples of the ancients who were commended for their faith: (Cont’d.)
GIDEON [Part 3]: V.32 – And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets,
See Judges 8.
Judges 8:1 – Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they criticized him sharply.
Concerning the jealousy of the Ephraimites, note that it was the Lord Who had chosen the men who went to fight the Midianites and not Gideon (Judges 7:2-7); therefore, they should have been satisfied with their role.
Let us thank the Lord that He is helping us to be mindful of:
Psalm 18:30 – As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 115:3 – Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.
Psalm 118:23 – the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
Let us also thank the Lord that He is instructing us to heed:
Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Galatians 5:26 – Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Judges 8:2-3 – 2But he answered them, “What have I accomplished compared to you? Aren’t the gleanings of Ephraim’s grapes better than the full grape harvest of Abiezer? 3God gave Oreb and Zeeb, the Midianite leaders, into your hands. What was I able to do compared to you?” At this, their resentment against him subsided.
This victory over the Ephraimites’ jealousy was gained by Gideon’s wisdom. Note:
Psalm 34:14 – Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Hebrews 12:14-15 – 14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Judges 8:4 – Gideon and his three hundred men, exhausted yet keeping up the pursuit, came to the Jordan and crossed it.
Let us thank the Lord that He is directing us to:
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
2 Timothy 2:1, 3 – You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
See Judges 8:5-21 – As a judge, Gideon was mandated to execute vengeance.
Let us thank the Lord that, as Christians, we are required to operate in accordance with:
Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
Judges 8:22-23 – 22The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us–you, your son and your grandson–because you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.”
23But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.”
Thus, New Testament leaders are exhorted to conform to 1 Peter 5:2-4 – 2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
Judges 8:24-27 – 24And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.)
25They answered, “We’ll be glad to give them.” So they spread out a garment, and each man threw a ring from his plunder onto it. 26The weight of the gold rings he asked for came to seventeen hundred shekels, not counting the ornaments, the pendants and the purple garments worn by the kings of Midian or the chains that were on their camels’ necks. 27Gideon 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.
In view of this account of the making of the golden ephod which led to idolatry, let us thank the Lord that He is urging us to heed:
1 Corinthians 10:12 (Amplified Bible) – Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
1 Corinthians 10:14 – Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
Colossians 3:5 – Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 John 5:21 – Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
Judges 8:28 – Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land enjoyed peace forty years.
The land enjoyed peace forty years – Let us thank the Lord for His promise of perpetual peace to us. Matthew 11:28-30 – 28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(MSG) – “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (CEV) – 6Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.