The Call of God to Old Testament Characters

Lesson 6

Lesson Text—Judges 6:11-12

Judges 6:11-1211 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:11-12

12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:13-14

Judges 6:13-1513 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:13-14

14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:15-17

Judges 6:16-1716 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.17 And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:18-19

Judges 6:18-1918 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:18-19

19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:20-21

Judges 6:20-2120 And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Lesson Text—Judges 6:20-21

21 Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

Focus Verse—Judges 6:14

Judges 6:14And the LORD looked upon him,

and said, Go in this thy might, and thou

shalt save Israel from the hand of the

Midianites: have not I sent thee?

Focus Thought

There will come a time in the life of every Christian when God visits with

a call: a duty to fulfill, a chore to accomplish, a purpose for the very

existence of the one called. How will we respond, in fear or in absolute

trust and obedience?

I. God Had to Convince GideonCulture Connection

When Limitations Do Not Matter The story of the building of the

Brooklyn Bridge in New York illustrates that limitations and obstacles need never stand in the way of accomplishment.

Born in Prussia in 1806, John A. Roebling moved to the United States and eventually designed the Brooklyn Bridge. At the time it was built, the bridge, which spans 1,595 feet over the East River to connect Manhattan with Brooklyn, was the longest suspension bridge in the

world.

I. God Had to Convince GideonJohn Roebling and his son,

Washington, worked together until John died in 1869 from tetanus contracted from a construction accident on the bridge.

Washington continued to direct the building of the bridge until he contracted “caisson disease” from working in the pneumatic caissons and experiencing the “bends.” This brought permanent impairment including a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in his not being able to walk or talk, and he was able to move only

one finger.

I. God Had to Convince GideonIn spite of the severe handicap,

Washington Roebling, whose mind was still as keen as ever, determined to complete the bridge. He developed a type of communication with his wife by tapping her arm. He was able to communicate with his wife, and she then communicated to the engineers instructions on completing the bridge. From a nearby home, Washington would watch the bridge progress. For thirteen years Washington used his finger-tapping code until finally completing the bridge in 1883.

I. God Had to Convince GideonThe Brooklyn Bridge is a tribute to

what an individual can accomplish, even though faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and limitations. With God’s call and empowerment, the believer can “do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13).

I. God Had to Convince GideonContemplating the Topic

Gideon lived during a sinful, rebellious time for the nation of Israel. God had delivered the Israelites into the hands of the Midianites, a primitive nomadic tribe of scavengers. The Midianites raided and pillaged for seven years until the Israelites finally began to pray for relief. In response to their prayers, God chose “valiant” Gideon as the vessel of their deliverance, but He had to reassure the reluctant man who

felt anything but valiant.

I. God Had to Convince GideonGideon is a perfect example of the

way our flesh struggles against doing what God has called us to do. However, before the story ended, Gideon rose to the challenge, and God used him to deliver His people out of the hand of the Midianites. The calling of Gideon and the process by which God developed in him the courage, strength, and willingness to do the perfect will of God is a lesson that, if learned, will serve every Christian well.

I. God Had to Convince GideonSearching the Scriptures

God Had to Convince Gideon

God had to convince Gideon to do as He had commanded and to bring deliverance to Israel. When the angel of the Lord first appeared to Gideon, the startled young man seemed uncertain of the angel’s identity or origin. Gideon said, “Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?” (Judges 6:13).

I. God Had to Convince GideonCiting God’s miraculous deliverance of the Jews from the Egyptians, Gideon wondered why God also did not deliver them from the Midianites.

However, within a few minutes Gideon’s perception and understanding changed dramatically when the angel touched with a staff the sacrifice Gideon had prepared. Fire leapt out of the rock and consumed it. Immediately, the angel disappeared.

I. God Had to Convince Gideon“And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face” (Judges 6:22). God did what was necessary to increase Gideon’s faith and inspire his trust to convince him to obey Jehovah’s will. He will do the same for any of us when necessary.

A. Gideon Could See Only His Limitations

A. Gideon Could See Only His Limitations

Gideon was so engrossed in his own problems and limitations that he could not see the possibility of God working through him. God is eager to minister to mankind, and a person’s ability or inability does not concern Him. God needs one’s availability, for He will readily supply all the power and ingenuity needed to get the job done.

I. God Had to Convince GideonAn individual may reach into the

toolbox for a specific tool. It matters little how scarred, how old, or what brand name the tool bears. What matters is the hand that wields the tool. Gideon was the tool, and like most of us, he wrongly focused on his obvious limitations to the point of forgetting whose hand was upon him.

A study of the Scriptures reveals that God has never chosen a man or woman because of their perfect qualifications to do a specific job.

I. God Had to Convince GideonIn fact, we discover quite the opposite; God chooses men and women of faith and relationship, disregarding their earthly credentials. Paul spoke of the true qualifications for doing God’s work in I Corinthians 1:26-29. Gideon’s one qualification seemed to be the fact that he felt himself unqualified. When God uses men and women like this, God is certain to receive the glory and praise due Him when they accomplish the task through His enablement.

B. Gideon Was Afraid of FailureB. Gideon Was Afraid of FailureAnyone who loves and respects God

wishes only to give Him what He deserves: the very best. Perhaps Gideon’s fear of failing God revealed his heart of love and adoration for God. Many people refuse to do a special work for God because they fear failure, but Gideon transformed his fear by introducing it to his faith! The supernatural fire convinced Gideon that he had heard from God; next he had to convince himself to answer the

call and accomplish the great task.

I. God Had to Convince GideonGideon spread a woolen fleece on

the ground and propositioned the Lord to soak the fleece with dew but leave the nearby ground dry. The next morning, even though God had responded positively according to his request, Gideon needed further confirmation and asked God to do the reverse the next night. As requested, the next morning the fleece was dry while everything around it was soaked.

Perhaps the notion of “fleecing” God originated from Gideon’s experience.

I. God Had to Convince GideonSome might consider this practice inappropriate or one lacking in faith. However, God never upbraided Gideon for his requests about the fleece. God knew Gideon’s heart. Perhaps God knew Gideon desired to accomplish the task but feared failure. Although Gideon had to ask God twice before he was thoroughly convinced, after the second “fleece” Gideon, with bolstered courage, positioned himself to do what God had asked. Being afraid of failure is fine as long as it does not cripple us from stepping out on faith and obeying God.

C. God Does Not Accept Excuses

C. God Does Not Accept Excuses

Someone once noted that an excuse is just an opportunity to be lazy. The carnal person often offers an excuse instead of action. God will not use a person who offers excuses instead of availability. Two vital components of personal growth in the kingdom of God are discovering and then accomplishing the “calling” or task God has ordained. When the angel first spoke to Gideon, he offered an excuse (Judges 6:15); but God would not accept his excuses.

I. God Had to Convince GideonWhat manner of excuse would God

really accept? God would not have called Gideon—or anyone else—to do something he was completely incapable of doing. Jesus illustrated this with the parable of the great supper (Luke 14:16-20). The invited guests gave three seemingly valid excuses, but they offended the host of the wedding.

I. God Had to Convince GideonA careful study of these excuses reveals their illegitimacy in that they cradle the three main areas of life that could possibly become more important to a person than doing the work of God. Whenever we manufacture excuses we risk offending the One who extended the invitation.

D. God’s Call Is Greater Than Excuses

D. God’s Call Is Greater Than Excuses

When one fully realizes the greatness of God and His plan for mankind, it is clear that action must take the place of excuse. God is so great that when He extends an invitation to participate in His passion and plans, how could one offer something as frivolous and flimsy as an excuse?

I. God Had to Convince GideonGideon had the opportunity to step

out of obscurity and into a position of eternal distinction! We should realize our lives will lack substance unless we connect to something eternal. When God reaches into the heart and calls and directs a person, He is granting the opportunity to transport the vapor of earthly life into the eternity of the next life. (See James 4:14.) When Gideon realized God’s promise to both equip and direct him to do something great, he offered no more excuses. God’s call is greater than any excuse imaginable.

A. God’s Call Is Greater Than Poverty

God Called a Man Out of Obscurity

A. God’s Call Is Greater Than Poverty

Gideon, upon receiving his call from God, pleaded poverty. “Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15). However, this could have been one of the reasons God chose him. The story of the rich young ruler reminds us that sometimes wealth impedes one from living for God.

I. God Had to Convince GideonThis privileged young man turned away from following Jesus because he could not conceive of giving away his earthly treasures in order to gain heavenly treasures. After the young ruler departed, Jesus commented, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23).

If Gideon had been rich, famous, or highborn, it may have hindered, if not prevented, him from answering God’s call.

I. God Had to Convince GideonIt is not that wealthy individuals are never called by God; it is just that those types of individuals sometimes value their wealth above the call and they refuse to answer. As far as God is concerned, a man is considered neither rich nor poor based upon his treasures in this life. Material possessions and wealth are not the real treasures (Matthew 6:20).

I. God Had to Convince GideonBecause God saw deep into the heart and spirit of Gideon, He discerned the great treasure of character and stability that resided within him. This made him “rich” in God’s eyes. Gideon’s argument that God had picked the wrong man—simply because Gideon came from a poor family—was of no consequence to God.

B. God’s Call Is Greater Than Family

B. God’s Call Is Greater Than Family

Gideon was right: the tribe of Manasseh had never been noted for anything particular or specific. Perhaps God reached into the tribe of Manasseh in order to change their status in Israel. Therefore Gideon’s great opportunity touched not only his own life but also that of his family and the whole tribe.

I. God Had to Convince GideonWhen God calls upon an individual to

do something eternal, it has far-reaching effects, both personal and generational, regardless of the person’s humble surroundings or beginning. While his family does have the potential either to aid or hinder his ability to work for God, he should never cede to his relatives the power to keep him from answering the call. In the past, great men and women have changed the status of future generations because they obeyed and remained faithful to their call from God.

I. God Had to Convince GideonInterestingly, when one looks up the tribe of Manasseh in a Bible dictionary, the first notable figure to come out of that tribe was Gideon, the sixth judge of Israel. God’s call is greater than family, and one obedient person can greatly alter the course of his family simply by submitting faithfully to the call of God.

C. God’s Call Is Greater Than Limitations

C. God’s Call Is Greater Than Limitations

Every man, woman, or young person called of God possesses some type of limitation, but God glories in using us in spite of our human frailty to accomplish eternal objectives. If a person struggles against answering a call of God simply because of limitations, then he does not have an adequate understanding of the One calling him. We each have obvious limitations in our flesh, but the great God who calls us will equip us to fulfill that

calling despite any carnal limitation.

I. God Had to Convince GideonFear. Each of us feels fear, the

devouring enemy of faith. Even men and women who accomplish courageous things deal with fear, but they have learned to face their fear and use it as a catalyst to accomplish difficult things. Psychologists identify two basic types of fear: a healthy respect for danger and a sense of terror or dread. Respecting danger can be beneficial, but a sense of terror or dread is unhealthy for the spiritual person.

I. God Had to Convince GideonJohn wrote, “There is no fear in

love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18). God’s call on a person may feel overwhelming and impossible to accomplish, but it should not awaken the sleeping giant of fear and dread. Gideon was afraid, but instead of being paralyzed by his fear, he relinquished it to God.

I. God Had to Convince GideonInsecurities. The call of God seems

to threaten areas of life that normally provide a measure of human security. Our temporal existence rests upon a foundation of things and emotions that makes us feel safe and comfortable. The call of God challenges this pseudo-sense of security, for true spiritual security exists only in Jesus Christ. One has to decide whether to walk by faith or by sight (II Corinthians 5:7). Insecurity in the heart of a “called” person could signal a person’s lack of faith in the power of

God.

I. God Had to Convince GideonIf we truly believe God is master and owner of the universe, insecurity vanishes as faith for accomplishing kingdom tasks empowers us. Satisfaction with Status Quo. As we grow, our life settles into a continuous replaying of everyday activities. We often call these recycled activities the “status quo” or a “rut.” The older we get the deeper those ruts may become, and the thought of climbing out of them and into the unknown arouses immediate angst and stirs up a tempest in our psyche.

I. God Had to Convince GideonYet God has never called anyone to stay in the perceived safety of a rut; God always calls a person out of the rut and into the unknown, which requires stirring up one’s faith.

It is vital for young people to seek the Lord and follow Him while they are growing and developing. The young and impressionable seem to have less trouble seeking and following after God’s will because they have not yet become entrenched in the habitual world of the status quo.

I. God Had to Convince GideonWe must choose whether we will continue to live in the boring but comfortable realm of routine or escape to explore a higher level of faith and spiritual accomplishment.

A. God Told Gideon to GoGod Used What

Gideon Gave HimA. God Told Gideon to Go

The word “go” in Judges 6:14 comes from the Hebrew word transliterated halak, which means “to walk.” God chose Gideon for this specific work and promised He would be with Gideon, but Gideon had to start walking toward the task. Most men are analytical and tend to wait until they have a detailed plan before committing themselves to action.

I. God Had to Convince GideonHowever, answering a call from God entails getting up and starting to walk by faith, believing in God to empower the one called and to work out the necessary details. Gideon’s experience teaches that when we answer a call from God, He may tolerate reluctance but not disobedience. Once God issues the call, we should get up and get going.

Following God’s call, Abraham rose up early the next morning to climb the mountain of sacrifice (Genesis 22:3).

I. God Had to Convince GideonHad he lingered long, he probably would have faced a greater struggle with his own carnality. Our flesh is not spiritual, but carnal; it will fight against our spiritual impulses. Paul wrote of this ongoing struggle in Romans 7:14-8:14.

God told Gideon to “go in this thy might” (Judges 6:14). He equipped Gideon for the task, but Gideon had to learn to trust in God and just “go.”

B. Gideon Decided What to DoB. Gideon Decided What to Do

Gideon did not receive a specific plan or strategy to deliver the Israelites. He decided to use the simple things his three hundred men had in their hands to accomplish the task. When God calls someone to accomplish His will, He intends to empower that person to get the job done, so there is no need for extraordinary additions of inordinate resources. That person should just respond to God’s call with faith that God will supply whatever he needs to accomplish the task.

I. God Had to Convince GideonGod reached for Gideon because he

possessed more than just a trumpet, a pitcher, and a lamp. God also saw knowledge, understanding, and ingenuity the man had acquired over the years. Once Gideon decided what to do, he did it without dithering or second-guessing, and through God’s empowerment he achieved a dramatic victory. Many individuals may feel reluctant to go where God is leading them because they see no message descending from the heavens with a list of what to do and when to do it.

I. God Had to Convince GideonGideon stepped out on faith, mustered confidence in his call, and used the resources God placed within and around him.

C. God Blessed Gideon’s EffortsC. God Blessed Gideon’s

Efforts

Through Gideon’s example we see clearly that the Lord directs and blesses each step of those individuals who answer and embrace His call. David said, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23). God always stands beside the called person who, like Gideon, goes about the task with faith and whatever resources he has.

I. God Had to Convince GideonIn our flesh we have little to offer God in the way of intelligence or strength, but when we couple our willingness to be used of God with His infinite wisdom and power, we can accomplish great things.

Transparency 3

I. God Had to Convince GideonGideon’s battle plan probably

looked ridiculous to the carnal eye; every man approached the battle with a trumpet in one hand and a clay pitcher with a light in it in the other hand. God had promised victory, so Gideon simply did his best to obey God with what little they had. This should give all of us great courage and a passion to get involved in God’s kingdom. As long as we know God has called us, we should believe He will bless our efforts.

A. Be AvailableGod Will Use Us

A. Be AvailableThe question is not whether God

wants to use us. The question is not one of an individual’s ability. The question is one of availability. Too many Christians say they want to do something for God yet never make themselves available to His call. Our generation prides itself on being accessible through technological devices such as cell phones and

personal computers.

I. God Had to Convince GideonHowever, none of these advancements makes Christians more accessible to God. Rather, if we really want God to use us, we must make and keep ourselves available to Him.

As many individuals keep a ready ear tuned to the specific sound of their cell phone, believers should keep their ear tuned toward God’s call. Christians should live each day with this attitude and spirit: If You call, I’ll answer. When God calls, He desires us to respond like the prophet Isaiah, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8).

B. Be ObedientB. Be Obedient

We live in a society that spurns such concepts as submission and obedience, yet the Scriptures reveal that God requires both, and especially so of those who would respond to His call to service. King Saul wrongly believed he could define obedience his own way, but he discovered that only God’s definition of obedience is valid. (See I Samuel 15:22.) God sternly admonished Saul for his disobedience through the prophet Samuel.

I. God Had to Convince GideonWe love to read stories of great men

and women in the Scriptures who fulfilled their call and achieved great things for God. However, what if they had not obeyed God? What if Moses had led the Israelites anywhere other than where God directed? What if Noah had erected a cathedral instead of an ark? What if Abraham had stayed in Haran instead of walking and inheriting the land? These individuals of faith would not have been heroes had they failed to obey God completely.

I. God Had to Convince GideonThe Bible makes clear the

consequences of disobedience. (See Romans 5:19; II Corinthians 10:6; Ephesians 2:2; 5:6, Colossians 3:6; Hebrews 2:2.) If such a tragic eternity is bound up in the consequences of disobedience, then the blessings of obedience are infinitely more rewarding and long lasting! God links each promise of blessing with His demand for obedience. Every man and woman called of God must determine to obey the will of God. In doing this, they will reap blessings upon their

lives.

I. God Had to Convince GideonInternalizing the Message

God called Gideon to perform a specific task, but he was reluctant to answer the call. However, he overcame his reluctance, answered the call, and routed an enemy of Israel. Judges 8:28 summarizes the results of Gideon’s obedience to the call of God.

Gideon’s obedience brought about a great ending to such a reluctant beginning! It all began with a fearful man threshing wheat at a winepress, trying to hide his harvest from the enemy.

I. God Had to Convince GideonAnd even though reluctant and fearful, Gideon rallied to his call and trusted God to do exactly what He promised He would do.

No one in Israel, certainly not Gideon, thought Israel could live free from bondage and fear, but God had a plan to free His people. God chose a man from Manasseh, the smallest tribe in Israel, from the lowliest family in his tribe, to accomplish His plan. Out of thirty-two thousand men, God revealed that only three hundred were not afraid to face the Midianites.

I. God Had to Convince GideonWith that small number of valiant believers, God chose to bring deliverance to Israel. Because a man refused to give in to his fears and limitations, and he placed his life and talents into the hand of God, he accomplished great things. At first reluctant and lacking faith, Gideon allowed God to use him, and Israel enjoyed a peaceful existence for the next forty years.