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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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GIDEON: THE
DOUBTING JUDGE - 4 Judges 8:1-21,
9/18/13 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert
I. Gideon Calms the Anger of Ephraim (1-3) A. [1] The men of Ephraim contended
“vigorously” (chozqah - strong, severe) with Gideon because he did not
ask for their help in battle sooner (Jdg 7:24). He requested their help only
after appointing the 300, and after calling Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh
(Jdg 7:23). Ephraim had a proud and victorious heritage. Other than not
driving out the Canaanites in Gezer (Jdg 1:29), they willingly fought for
Ehud (Jdg 3:26-29) and Barak (Jdg 5:12-14). B. [2-3] Gideon’s response is viewed by some
as flattery toward Ephraim. The Scriptures do not reveal Gideon’s motives.
However, his words were factual. Ephraim had indeed succeeded in the slaying
of the notorious Midianite leaders, Oreb and Zeeb (Jdg 7:25). Gideon’s humble
words elevated this achievement as the “gleanings of grapes” compared to the
vintage of his clan of Abiezer. Though Ephraim was not in the initial battle, the
leftovers at the end of the battle were greater. 1. Gideon could have defended himself on the
grounds that God whittled down his initial soldiers to 300, but nothing is
stated. 2. Also from a strategic point of view, it
was better not to call Ephraim from their location because it was
advantageous for stopping the fleeing Midianite army. 3. In any event, Gideon’s wise words proved
effective to calm their anger (Pr 15:1). II. Gideon Approaches Succoth & Penuel for
Provisions (4-9) A. [4] After this, Gideon pursued Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian. With his
initial 300 soldiers, they crossed the Jordan River. B. [5] When they came to Succoth, they were
wearied and in much need of provisions. He asked for loaves of bread that
they could continue pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna. C. [6] The leaders of Succoth refused saying
that Gideon had not yet defeated the kings of Midian. They not only feared
Midian retaliation, but they revealed their lack of faith in God through
Gideon. D. [7] Similar to the curse of Meroz from the
Angel of the Lord against (Jdg 5:23), Gideon pronounced his own curse against
those who would not help. When he would returned victorious, he would
“thrash” (lit. thresh grain by treading or beating, fig. whipping and
beating; here possibly suggesting dragging their bodies through thorn bushes)
the men of Succoth with thorns and briers. E. [8] From there he went to Penuel (where
God changed Jacob’s name to “Israel,” Ge 32:28-30), where he asked for
provisions. Gideon received the same response from the men of Penuel as he
did from Succoth. F. [9] Gideon pronounced a curse upon
Penuel. He said that he would tear down their tower. Most likely Penuel had
built a tower, which was a fortress of safety against their enemies. Perhaps,
the men of Penuel told Gideon they did not need his help because they had
their own tower of defense. III. Gideon Captures Zebah and Zalmunna (10-12) A. [10] Zebah and Zalmunna had fled as far as Karkor (unidentified
place). Their army numbered only 15,000 for 120,000 swordsmen had been killed
by the Israelites. B. [11] Gideon and his 300 had pursued them
to Nobah and Jogebehah, 15 miles southeast of Penuel. Gideon secretly came to
the eastside, perhaps closest to the royal tents. Perhaps thinking they were
far enough from danger, the unsuspecting Midianites were attacked by Gideon.
300 of Gideon’s men do not seem as likely odds against 15,000. However,
having seen the Lord’s intervention for Gideon in the earlier battle, there
is no reason to doubt this account. Gideon was coming up against and already
hysterical and fleeing army. C. [12] Zebah and Zalmunna fled from the
Gideon’s 300 soldiers. They captured the two kings, which “routed” (charad
- to terrify and cause to tremble) the whole Midian army. IV. Gideon Carries Out His Curse on Succoth and
Penuel (13-17) A. [13] Along with his prisoners, Zebah and Zalmunna, Gideon returned from battle by
way of the “ascent of Heres” (possibly a pass with a travel route to the
town) B. [14] On the way, Gideon captured and
questioned a young resident from Succoth. This young man gave Gideon a list
of the princes and elders of Succoth, totaling 77 men. C. [15] We can only imagine the look on the
face of the residents of Succoth when Gideon came in with Zebah and Zulmanna.
Gideon was quick to remind the men of Succoth of their refusal to give
provisions as well as their “taunts” (charaph - reproach or scorn). D. [16] They doubted God, scorned Gideon, and
refused to aid their brethren in a time of war. Therefore, Gideon carried out
his curse upon Succoth. With “thorns of the wilderness and briers” he
“disciplined” (yada - “to know,” KJV - “taught,” NET - “threshed”; i.e. by
threshing them, he disciplined and taught them a lesson) them. E. [17] Likewise, Gideon carried out his
curse upon Penuel and tore down their tower. In doing so, he also “killed the
men of the city.” Perhaps the men of Penuel refused to allow Gideon to tear
down the tower. Some have suggested that Gideon’s act was ruthless and
vindictive. Only the facts are stated but not God’s response or the author’s.
Keil & Delitzsch state that Gideon’s response was the correct one,
because they had sinned against the Lord and His deliverance in a time of
war. V. Gideon Slays Zebah and Zulmunna (18-21) A. [18] Probably somewhere across the Jordan
River in the midst of Israel (maybe Ophrah), Gideon turned his attention to
Zebah and Zulmunna. It appears that Gideon may have spared their lives
depending upon a particular answer to his question. He asked “What kind of
men did they kill at Tabor?” Tabor, a small conical mountain north of Moreh,
may have referred to an incident that took place before Gideon became Judge.
Their answer revealed that they had killed men who looked similar to Gideon.
Gideon may have had impressive physical features, resembling a “son of the
king.” B. [19] Gideon revealed that the men they
killed were his brothers, “sons of his mother.” Gideon affirmed “as the Lord
lives,” had they not killed his brothers, he would have spared their lives. C. [20] Desiring to humiliate the kings in
death, and/or to instill familial and national loyalty, he told Jether, his
firstborn, to kill them with a sword. But Jether, being a young man, was
afraid to kill them. D. [21] Perhaps desiring a more honorable
death, the kings told Gideon to kill them himself. Assuring their death by
the hand of Gideon, the kings said, “as
the man, so is his strength.” Gideon’s strength was
equal to the test and he killed both kings. Gideon then took the crescent
ornaments (moon shaped symbol), suggesting Midian worship of Astarte,
the moon goddess, from the camel’s neck. VI. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Gideon’s Prudence - When Gideon was
approached by the angry men of Ephraim, we do not see Gideon exalting himself
above them. Rather we see that he was a prudent Judge over Israel, not
wanting to separate himself from faithful warriors for the Lord. So, he acted
with prudence and a cool spirit (Pr 15:18; 17:27; 28:25). B. Gideon’s Humility - The Lord had
approached Gideon to be the Deliverer of Israel. Yet Gideon wisely understood
that others would take part in the victory (300, Naphtali, Asher, and
Manasseh). The men of Ephraim were summoned to keep the Midianites from
crossing the Jordan. They also received the honor of slaying Oreb and Zeeb.
Gideon humbly recognized their accomplishment as the greater spoils.
Furthermore, by this time, Gideon understood that ultimately, it was the
Lord’s battle (1Co 3:6-9). C. Gideon’s Faithfulness - Gideon had been
the “Doubting Judge.” We no longer see a man with doubts and fears. He had
become wise, decisive, and courageous among his people and against the enemy.
He disciplined Succoth and Penuel who were worthy of discipline to varying
degrees. He was willing to show some level of mercy to Zebah and Zalmunna
until action had to be taken. From the lips of his enemy, “as the man, so is his strength.” Gideon was the man
for Israel’s leadership because he drew his strength from the Lord (Tit
1:9-13). |
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