Judges 5-7

Chapter 5 is a song about what had happened sung by Deborah and Barak.

6:7-11 - The verse says that God had rescued and delivered the people, but they refused to listen to Him. Where has God delivered you? Where has He rescued you? Where are you not listening to Him?

6:13 - Gideon trusted what he could see and had experienced over what god was telling him. We have to learn that our perception of reality is not reality. god's spoken word is reality in every circumstances.

6:14 - I wonder why God told Gideon to go in the strength he had. I bet it was so Gideon would realize he couldn't without God. It was to help him recognize his need and god's willingness to help.

6:16 - I will be with you, - some of the most powerful words you could hear if you were Gideon. And think about this, Jesus said these same words in the Great Commission to you. Where is YOUR strength, Gideon?

6:17 - This is the 1st sign Gideon asked for.

6:27 - Gideon did destroy the altars to the false God's but he did it at night. What would the outcome and response have been if Gideon had honored God by doing it in the day time? Can you imagine how much glory God would have received if Gideon had let God stand in front of his fear? We must learn to do everything in the daylight of no fear, because we trust the God who will one day reveal everything. Let people praise God by doing the difficult out in the open.

6:34 - The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, - And then look what Gideon did. We live with the indwelling of the Spirit of the Lord, so it is time we start doing even more than Gideon did.

6:36-38 - 2nd sign asked for

6:39-40 - 3rd sign asked for. Interesting, God never corrects Gideon for asking for confirmation.

7:2 - The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boats against me, 'My own strength has saved me.'" - WOW! They started out with 32,000, but that was too much. They worked it down to 10,000 (vs 4), but that was still too much. God wasn't satisfied until it was 300 (vs 7)!!!! We think resources make the difference, but God makes the difference. Sometimes too much of something removes God's willingness to move. We need to take joy when we are really weak because God loves to work through things where His glory shines through the brightest.

7:8 - Interesting. Gideon didn't send them home, but to their tents. Was this in accordance with god's will or was Gideon hedging his bet?

7:10 - God reassured Gideon in the midst of his concern.

7:17 - Watch me. Follow my lead....Do exactly as I do. - This is something only a leader can say. why are we so afraid of saying this to people? Maybe because we want on out so we can sin or stumble or stop for a while without feeling responsible to others. Godly leaders have no problem telling people to follow and watch and do.

7:22 - The Lord did the fighting for them. He is always the ultimate fighter in these situations.

Love, Michael