GREAT VICTORY: GIDEON’S TRIUMPH

Week 1: HAIL, YOU MIGHTY ONE!

During this study, we will be doing a ‘deep dive’ into a scriptural passage. It is strongly encouraged that you study the passage and entire chapter ahead of the study. Also be prepared with your research tools, for example Google or your study Bible, as you will need to reference it during the study. Spend time answering and discussing each question with the intention to gain sufficient understanding to help your own private Bible study as you further explore these topics.

Study Chapters: Judges 1-6

Pilot text

Judges 6:11-12, 15-16 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!”
15 So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16 And the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall [e]defeat the Midianites as one man.”
Judges 6:36-40 36 So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said – 37 look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38 And it was so. When he rose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece together, he wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me, but let me speak just once more: Let me test, I pray, just once more with the fleece; let it now be dry only on the fleece, but on all the ground let there be dew.” 40 And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground.

Discussion Points

1. How did the children of Israel get into their current situation – what do you think was the main reason for their troubles?
2. Consider the story of Gideon. How was Gideon different from the other judges up to this point? [think of why Gideon believed that someone such as himself could not be the deliverer of Israel]
3. Do you think that Gideon believed God? Why or why not?
4. What did God say to Gideon in response to his repeated requests for signs.

Closing thoughts: Much is often made of Gideon’s requests for multiple signs in his encounter with God. It may even be said that this was an indicator of his unbelief. But before we rush to judgement, we should pay attention to the following. (i) God’s consistent response was to provide the confirmation that Gideon requested. (ii) Gideon had started to act on his conviction, before asking for confirmation. Think about how road signs work. Until you begin a journey, you have no need of a sign – because it is only useful when there is a destination in mind. Moreso, you will not see any signs until you are in the process of travelling, because signs are by design, only for those who are ‘in-flight’. Gideon was not a man looking to be persuaded to act, but one that wanted to ensure that he wasn’t leading himself. By demonstrating great obedience very early in his encounter with God (he destroyed the altar of Baal at great personal risk), Gideon revealed his firm conviction that God was able to do what He promised. He just needed to be sure he was hearing God’s voice, and not the voice of his own ambition. What then does this story tell us? That there can be no great victory without great conviction, and great conviction is only evidenced by great obedience even in the face of uncertainty.

Application Questions (use scriptures to support your position):

1. A friend of yours is praying for a significant breakthrough in business. A mutual friend shares some really good ideas and tips (from her experience), of how to get started in pursuit of the goal. But your friend insists that he is waiting for the Spirit’s leading before taking any step, citing the example of Gideon who needed to see multiple signs before taking action. What would you advise your friend?
2. Your cousin tells you that God is leading him to travel to the village and destroy the village idol, citing Gideon as his inspiration. He believes that his much-needed breakthrough is tied to this action, and that this is the reason for his ‘lack of progress in life’. He asks for your advice. What would you say?