6. THE BOOK OF JUDGES.

GIDEON’S TRANSFORMATION.

Again, we read. Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and God handed them over to the MIDIANITES.

So cruel were these people that Israel hid from them in mountains, caves, and strongholds. They had stripped bare the land of everything that sustained Israel.

They rode Camels! They would ride sixty miles a day, and they could carry an enormous amount of produce over 200 miles.

A SPIRITUAL INNER CHANGE IN GIDEON.

Through the visit of an Angel from God, Gideon was convinced that God was faithful, THE TRUE GOD OF ISRAEL.

Note verse 24 of this chapter that at the command of God, Gideon built an Altar there unto the Lord.
He called it.”

JEHOVAH SHALOM,” which means,

THE LORD “MY PEACE.” He is now experiencing “THE PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING.” Phil 4:6,7.

THIS ALTAR is an OUTWARD symbol of an INWARD transaction between God and man.

This Altar means that Gideon had turned his back on false gods and became a worshipper of,

THE ONE TRUE GOD. Upon giving HIS WILL OVER TO GOD, he now becomes.

FULLY CONSECRATED TO HIM.

He no longer argued with GOD.

Now God commanded him to,

“Throw down the Altar of Baal.”

Wreaking this altar was to counter the popular religion that had caused the people to err.
For Gideon, this was

Inviting Death!

BUT GIDEON DID IT!
Now Gideon is controlled by the HOLY SPIRIT, and God’s transforming power is working through him.

People flocked to him. Read further, and you will see the marvellous victory won over Midian and the freeing of Israel from their enemies ‘ yoke.

CONFIRMATION.

Gideon needed a sign to confirm that God was calling him to deliver Israel from the MIDIANITES.

This sign was not a temptation of God’s power to save Israel. Instead, it was a sign that God would deliver through ‘him.’

The Lord shows him through a test of faith, a “fleece.” See Chapter 6:39-40.

GIVE YOURSELF TO GOD!

By handing your will over to His WILL!
Then this Promise is For YOU!

“FAITHFUL IS HE THAT CALLED YOU AND.
HE WILL ALSO DO IT!”

Do you need a sign from God to confirm your calling?

Doesn’t the New Testament teach that an evil and adulterous generation seek a sign?”

In Gideon’s case, the sign was given to encourage him to step out in faith and trust the Lord.

The sign that the scribes and Pharisees sought was to discredit Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God in the flesh.

There is a real difference. If you are confident that you have heard from God, whether it has been placed in your heart by the Holy Spirit and confirmed by the Word of God, you can step out into the unknown, assured that “Faithful is He that has called you, and He will also do it.”

If you’re still unsure and fear is gripping your heart, then feel free to ask the Lord to confirm it with a sign. He will gladly give it.

Read about Gideon’s sign that God would use him to deliver Israel from her enemy.

Judges chapter 6:36.

Though Gideon was fearful at first, it was not long before he allowed those who were fearful and afraid. To return home and choose those who were strong in the Lord and in the power of his might to join in the battle.

This is amazing… 22,000 men went home!

What can you say when facing a difficult challenge?

“I WILL TRUST AND NOT BE AFRAID.”

Amen.