The Call of Gideon Judges 6:1–2, 7–16 International Sunday School Lesson October 16, 2022 The LORD is with Thee

III. ISRAEL IS OPPRESSED BY THE MIDIANITES (Judges 6:1-2)

A. Israel’s chastisement (Judges 6:1). Our first verse says “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.” Following a cycle of peace followed by serving other gods (see Judges 2:11-13; 3:7, 11-12; 4:1), once again God had to chastise His people (see The Lesson Background). We are told that “the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD.” The “evil” here refers to following idol gods and forsaking the LORD (see Judges 2:11-12; 3:7). Of course, as before, God was not going to sit back and do nothing. Because of the “evil” committed by “the children of Israel,” they had to be punished. So “the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.” The Midianites were a nomadic people who were descendants of the fourth son of Abraham and Keturah (see Genesis 25:1-2). The Midianites lived through trade and raids for plunder. In Gideon’s day they were raiding Israel when crops were ready to be harvested. Such attacks were devastating and caused great hardship. We learn from Israel’s experience here that the timetable for God’s chastening may not be to our liking. Israel suffered under Midianite oppression for “seven years” before God sent Gideon to deliver them. Sometimes it takes a long time before we are ready to truly understand the error of our ways and call out to God for mercy.

B. Israel’s response to chastisement (Judges 6:2). This verse says “And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.” We see the oppressive nature of the enemy Israel faced. First of all, they were at the mercy the Midianites who “prevailed against Israel.” As a result, the Israelites were forced to make “dens” or hide outs “in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds” to protect themselves as well as what little they could salvage of their crops. Note: Verses 3-6 are not part of our printed text, but those verses give more detail of what Israel was experiencing. The Midianites didn’t attack alone; they were accompanied by the Amalekites a nomadic tribe like the Midianites. Both of these enemies came from the east constantly destroying Israel’s crops. They even camped in the land and destroyed the crops that the Israelites had planted. They didn’t leave anything for the Israelites to eat; they didn’t even leave them any sheep, cattle, or donkeys. The Midianites came with their families, animals, and tents. They were like a swarm of locusts, for they and their camels were too many to count. They came into the land and ruined it. The Israelites became very poor because of the Midianites, so they cried to the LORD for help.

God’s choice of a deliverer was a man who thought little of himself. Gideon was reluctant to believe that God had the right man when He approached him to lead Israel against Midian. We all probably know some people who have caused problems within the church while claiming that “God told me to do it.” For sure, there are “calls” from God that some people have dreamed up themselves. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 1:26 “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called…” As we look around in our churches we may not see many wise, mighty, or noble people. We may not even see many accomplished or very important people. But the truth is that God often calls common, ordinary people. He isn’t interested in using proud people who will take credit for what He has done. The LORD often calls humble, faithful people who will serve Him. All calls involve simple faith and obedience to the LORD. It is true that Gideon didn’t have great faith; but he did have faith. The LORD nurtured that faith step by step, until Gideon was willing to step out and lead just three hundred men to a great victory over a massive Midianite army (see Judges 7:7-8, 15).

Ronald Jasmin Assistant Pastor of Corona Baptist Church in Mt Juliet, TN and Cornelius Hill Pastor of Ephesian Primitive Baptist Church Nashville, TN Christian Business Connection
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