Gideon – timid mouse & mighty warrior Judges 6

Judges: The Series

May 11 The roots of Israel’s unfaithfulness – 1:1-3:11May 18 Unusual and unexpected deliverance – 3:12-5:31May 25 The reluctant leader who eventually trusts God – 6.1-40

June 15 Success and failure often go together – 7.1-8.28June 22 God is both Saviour and Judge – 8:29-9:56June 29 Failing to see what God is really like – 10.1-12.15

July 13 The God who does the impossible – 13.1-25July 20 How can womanising Samson be God’s saviour? – 14.1-16.31July 27 The depths of Israel’s unfaithfulness – 17.1-21.25

1350 BC

1350 BC

1050 BC

1050 BC

1300 BC

1250 BC

1250 BC

1200 BC

1200 BC

1150 BC

1150 BC

1100 BC

Othniel

Ehud & ShamgarDeborah

BarakGideon

Tola Jair

JephthahIbzanElon

Abdon

Samson

Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6

The Judges’ Timeline

1. Gideon – a timid mouse

a. He is intimidated – v.11 b. He is insignificant – v.15 c. He is uncertain 1. That God is with Israel – v.13 2. God’s character & power –v.17-22;

36-40God is greater than he imagined –

v.22,23

2. Gideon – a mighty warrior

Gideon faced 3 enemies:- a. The enemy within 1. Idolatry - God confronting Israel – v.7-10 - Gideon uprooting idols – v.25-32 2. Fears/doubts – v.17,36-40 b. The enemy outside – v.33-35Our weapons – Eph.6:17,18; 2Cor.10:4,5 The Gospel of God (Bible), Prayer

3. God’s method of operation a. Through weak/insignificant people - Israel (Dt.7:7); the Church (1Cor.1:26-29);

Moses,David,Jeremiah etc. b. Through the “weakness” of Jesus - incarnation – Phil.2:7 - the Cross – 1Cor.1:18-25 - the way of his kingdom Beatitudes – Lk. 6:20-26 Discipleship-Mk.8:34,35;9:33-37;10:42-45 c. Through people confessing their weaknesses - as sinners - as servants

4. Lessons

a. Let God expose your idols b. Rejoice in God working through

weak/ordinary people - building project - community engagement - world mission c. Open yourself to God & his resources - receive his salvation - step out/keep going in his service