God's Mercy

 Throughout his calling, Gideon wore several hats. He was a Judge over Israel, mighty man of God, hero, a humble man and some may even say fearful. His story is found in throughout chapters 6-8 of Judges.

 

Caught in Circumstance
 

Whenever the children of Israel  planted their crops, the Midianites and other people such as the Amalekites would camp on the land and invaded the country. While Gideon was threshing wheat an angel addressed him saying “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Many lessons have describe Gideon a perhaps a coward because he was hiding from the Medianites. However by the end of the story because he trusted God , he became a mighty warrior. Lets begin with his response to the angel of God. “Pardon me, my lord, but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the lord bring us out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us …..   .”

In our current circumstance, even in churches today, we often question the intentions or abilities of God. Are you confident that the Lord is with you, or are you hoping that he is? Let’s think for a moment. Gideon clearly did not see any evidence of the Lord’s presence with him nor his people. He questioned the wonders of God told to him by his ancestors. We sometimes look in to the scriptures and marvel at the experiences of the prophets and the apostles, and think where those wonders of God are today?

Remember the people were being disciplined by God for mixing their worship with others god’s. God called this practice evil. Even as he disciplines us, he is still with us.

 Israel could not see God because though they were being disciplined, in their suffering they did not turn completely to God. The intention of God's discipline is to lead us toward repentance. A rebellious heart will become hostile towards the Lord.

"It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes" (Psalm 119:71).

 If we want to see the hand of God working in our lives, then we cannot hold on to the traditions of men or mix them with the commands of God. Human doctrines, the occult, worldly wisdom or anything that only has a form of Godliness. They have no place in our worship to God.

The Mercy of God

God called out to a man that was the weakest in His clan. He called a man who’s clan was the least to show his mercy even when they refused to repent. They conveniently left out the part about their repentance and questioned the mercy of God. Are you doing this in your own life today? We know that they were still engaged in spiritual fornication because the Lord told Gideon to tear down his father’s alter to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. He then instructed him to build a proper kind of altar to the Lord his God.  God desire complete and sincere repentance from his people. You must always examine the altar of your heart, making sure it is fully committed to your God. From the heart comes the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life."

What is an Asherah Pole?
 

An Asherah pole was a sacred tree or pole that stood near Canaanite religious locations to honor the pagan goddess Asherah.

Who is Baal?

Baal was the name of the supreme god worshiped in ancient Canaan and Phoenicia. The practice of Baal worship infiltrated Jewish religious life during the time of the Judges (Judges 3:7), became widespread in Israel during the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 16:31-33) and also affected Judah (2 Chronicles 28:1-2). The word baal means “lord”; the plural is baalim……Baal was a fertility god who was believed to enable the earth to produce crops and people to produce children.

Gideon’ s Obedience

Gideon obeyed God despite of his fears. He was quite aware of the affection that both his father and the community had for the foreign gods. Gideon took his servants at night in order to carry out God’s request.  Why couldn't he have gone to his father for help? They were blinded to the truth because they did not fear or respected the laws of God. 

Psalm 118:16" I will meditate on thy precepts, and have respect unto thy way."

Once they found out what Gideon had done, no one was moved by the proper alter that was set up in honor of their true God. When you decide to completely repent, do not expect the people around you to rejoice. They will rejoice only if they fear and honor God. God used Gideon to eventually defeat their enemies. 

Read the rest of the story and reflect on God’s mercy and how he teaches us to trust him.

 

Lessons from Gideon

The main take away from this lesson is 'GOD'S MERCY'. Even in the midst Israel's rebelliousness, He showed them his mercy. In the same way it was important for Israel to know that God is the one who will deliver his people, we must always see the mercy of God in his words. These stories were written to encourage us regarding the might, love and mercy our God.

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Psalm 37:4-6 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Proverbs 3:6- In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalm 46:10 - Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Mark 5:36 - As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.