The Character of Gideon

1. Read: Judges 6:11-13

2. About the Text:

1) The Midianites had been raiding the Israelites for seven years (Judges 6:1).

2) They would destroy the produce of the earth (v.4).

3) This resulted in great poverty for Israel (v.6).

4) The people had not obeyed God fully (v.10).

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. How did Gideon consider himself?

1) He was in a winepress threshing wheat (v.11).

2) He questioned (v.13).

3) He said he was the weakest (v.15).

4) He asked for a sign (v.17).

2. How did the Lord consider Gideon?

1) A mighty man of valor (v.12).

2) One who was able to save Israel (v.14).

3) A man the Lord was with (v.16).

4) He was at peace with Gideon (v.23).

3. Do we look at ourselves the same way the Lord looks at us?

1) “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor.12:10).

2) “Out of weakness were made strong” (Hebrews 11:34).

1. He destroyed the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25-32).

1) He was still a bit fearful because he did it at night (v.27).

2) He made some enemies by doing this (v.29-30).

3) His father ended up supporting him (v.31-32).

4) You never know what will happen until you take action.

2. He led 300 men in battle against the camp of the Midianites (Judges 7:1-25).

1) The Lord wanted to prove He was in control (v.2).

2) Gideon did not question the Lord now (v.3).

3) This left Gideon with an army of 300 men (v.7).

4) The Lord gave Gideon information to strengthen his resolve (v.9-14).

5) God routed the Midianites (v.22).

3. It takes courage to face our own fears and obey the Lord.

1) “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

2) “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

1. He stayed humble even in his success (Judges 8:1-3).

1) The men of Ephraim were envious (v.1).

2) Gideon praised them and minimized himself (v.2-3).

2. He pursued the Midianites even with little sustenance (Judges 8:5-13).

1) He asked Succoth and Penuel for bread (v.5, 8).

2) He was denied.

3. He corrected the cities of Succoth and Penuel (Judges 8:14-17).

1) He chastised the elders of the city (v.16).

2) He tore down the tower of Penuel (v.17).

3) “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

4. He conquered the enemies of Israel (Judges 8:18-21).

1) He captured them (v.12).

2) He tried them for their crimes (v.18) and executed them (v.21).

5. He would not rule over Israel (Judges 8:22-28).

1) Israel tried to make Gideon king (v.22)

2) He would not, but said, “The Lord shall rule over you” (v.23).

3) 1 Corinthians 1:36-31.

1. Gideon was . . .

1) Timid

2) Courageous

3) Faithful

2. Invitation