I’m sending this out a day early as Paige’s talk is already up, as this is their fall break and she is not teaching. We are doing the second half of last’s week lecture.
After a quick review of Part I, we will study the downfall of Gideon. The passage is Judges 7:8 through 8:28. It is a warning for:
The Dangers of Success
Go to the link below and move the time to 48.50 minutes. In Judges, after a brief review, we will start at Judges 7:9 and go through chapter 8:28.
Paige doesn’t like the phrase “God showed up” because she rightfully objects that He is always there. Yet we often, in our blindness, are unaware of His presence. I also think there are times when, though He is there, He leans down and “kisses” us, as the bride in Song of Songs asks Him to do. That happened to me this week when I was mourning the loss of my husband Steve, who went to be with the Lord 20 years ago, on October 16th, 2004. I “happened” to be studying Deborah, as Paige skipped over her, and came across a verse that was always there but I had not really seen:
May they who love you be like the sun
when it rises in its strength.
Judges 5:31b
I thought about how Steve was like that — the “Son” so filled his heart that His love flowed out of Steve to everyone. Here is a picture of Steve at the orphanage in Thailand, when he was so excited to take Beth, our 12-year-old adoptee, home.
Then I looked up and this was the scene outside my window. Being on this side of the peninsula we see the sun set, but not the sun rise — yet we sometimes see the effects of the sun rising in the east.
I thought about how Steve was like that — you could see the “effects” of the Son in him. And I also simultaneously felt “kissed by the King.” We had a good discussion last week about the fleece and our own Laura asked if it was wrong to look for a confirmation. I do think we are to seek God’s will through His Word, through asking for wisdom, and for sensing His peace. But there are times when He graciously confirms in other ways, as I sensed a confirmation of His love and presence. So Laura, I think it is fine to ask for a confirmation, but to be very aware of the soft voice of His Spirit, for that may be the way He does it.
1. Share a time this week when you were aware of His presence, or when His Word became “radioactive” to you, or when you were acutely aware of His mercy or love.
2. In review, what were some of the ways in chapters 6 and 7 that God reassured Gideon that He was truly with him, therefore it didn’t matter that Gideon was weak? (See Judges 7:2)
3. Read Judges 7:9-17
A. What grabs you, challenges you, or enlightens you from this passage?
B. What was the dream, and how was God encouraging Gideon yet again?
C. Give an example of God’s patience in showing the same truth about His being with you? (I could share, on the 20th anniversary of Steve’s birth into heaven, how God has been a husband to me over and over, though I constantly need the reassurance that He will be!)
D. Listen to Paige up to 52:49 and share what stood out from her teaching.
4. Read Judges 7:16 to the end of the chapter.
A. What stands out and why?
B. What two things were the 300 soldiers given before they marched in? What did Gideon tell them to do? (verses 16-18)
C. When did Gideon and his hundred men choose to go into the camp? (Verse 19)
Tim Keller explains that their enemy was the weakest during the changing of the guard, for one-third of their army would be walking toward the tents, giving those in the tents the mistaken sense that they were part of the encroaching enemy.
D. What else did the Lord do to the enemy according to verse 22?
5. Listen to Paige from minute 53 to minute 57.
A. Paige uses the verbs blew, smashed, cried out, and stood. What is her point?
B. She said the question is never “How strong are we for God” but “How strong is He for us?” What gifts has God given you and what circumstances could you use them in right now, trusting in Him?
C. Since God doesn’t need us to do anything, why does He include us?
D. What else stood out to you from this part of her teaching?
Gideon — Hubris (Judges 8:4 to the end of the chapter)
6. Read Judges 8:4-12
A. How do you see Gideon’s pride and anger in this passage with his own people? (Succoth and Penuel were part of the tribe of Gad)
C. Listen to Paige from 57:44 to 1:00 and share what stands out to you.
7. Read Judges 8:13-21
A. How does Gideon take revenge on his people who didn’t give him bread?
B. Read this one page article from Keller and share your take-a-way from it.
https://www.crosswalk.com/family/career/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-dangers-of-success.html
C. In verses 18-21 we learn the Middianites had killed Gideon’s brothers. Keller says this killing was not motivated by a desire to deliver God’s people but by revenge. What does God tell us about revenge in Romans 12:19. Has this verse ever stopped you from repaying evil for evil?
8. Listen to Paige from 1:00 to 1:08
1) In chapters 6 and 7 Gideon was in constant communication with the Lord. Now nothing. Why?
2) Gideon is the only judge to turn his sword upon his own people. What irony does Paige bring out?
3) Why is success so dangerous according to Paige?
4) Why is betrayal from someone who is part of your own family so hurtful?
5) When is your prayer life most desperate? When is it least? What does this teach you?
9. Read Judges 8:22-35.
Keller explains that the “ephod” had two stones in the front: the Urim and Thummim — which were used to receive “yes” or “no” answers from God…Gideon is essentially setting uphis home town as a rival place of worship…Gideon has used God to consolidate his own position, instead of using his position to serve and be used by God.
A. How does Gideon respond when they ask him to rule over them? Yet how do his actions prove otherwise?
B. What does he do with the gold of the spoils and how does it affect Israel?
C. As you look at your life, have you tempted to use God for your own glory rather than serving Him for His glory?
D. What do you learn about Gideon in verse 30?
E. This is the first time the idolatry began before the judge died. How do you see this?
10. Listen to Paige from 1:09 to the end.
A. Whoever saves should rule. Who saved?
B. How has Gideon changed in his relationship with God? How does this impact Israel?
C. Paige says “the real you comes out in times of success.” As you reflect on this, what do you see about yourself?
D. How does the story of the Pharisee and the publican demonstrate how our hearts can get messed up by success?
E. How does she contrast Gideon setting himself up on a throne with what Jesus did to save us?
The essence of sin is us substituting ourselves for God
The essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for us
We assert ourselves against God and put ourselves where only God deserves to be
God sacrifices Himself and puts Himself where we deserve to be
We claim prerogatives which belong to God alone
and God accepts the penalties which belong to us alone.
John Stott
11. Was Gideon a good guy or a bad guy? What do you think and why?
12. What thoughts did she have on eternal security and God’s heart?
13. What is your take-a-way and why?
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5 comments
1. Share a time this week when you were aware of His presence, or when His Word became “radioactive” to you, or when you were acutely aware of His mercy or love. On Monday I got to watch my granddaughters who were out of school I had wondered what I would do with them. They had spent the weekend as a family in Indy doing family friendly things with 2 other families. On Sunday they are going to Disney with other grandparents. I usually go in and pick up the church sanctuary on Monday morning and felt a nudge to suggest that. They reluctantly agreed to go. They really took to the simple tasks we had to do and wanted to make sure we did it right. (They have even asked their mom when they can do it again.) Later they talked to me about other times we had together. I spent the morning thanking God and remembering how my cup overflows.
2. In review, what were some of the ways in chapters 6 and 7 that God reassured Gideon that He was truly with him, therefore it didn’t matter that Gideon was weak? (See Judges 7:2) Angel of Lord called him a mighty warrior. Lord spoke to him and told him he would be with him. Lord patiently waited while Gideon prepared sacrifice. Lord had angel of Lord burn up the sacrifice by touching it with tip of staff. Lord assured him he wouldn’t die. Lord allowed him 2 fleece tests. Lord allowed him to hear Midianites say God had given them into Gideon’s hand
3. Read Judges 7:9-17
A. What grabs you, challenges you, or enlightens you from this passage How huge the encampment of people were – the Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in as thick as locusts. Particularly when compared to Gideon’s 300 men. ( I don’t know what happens to other people besides Midianites)
B. What was the dream, and how was God encouraging Gideon yet again? A round loaf of barley bread comes into the the camp, strikes a tent and it overturns and collapses. The hearer of the dream interprets that God had given Midianites into Gideon’s hands.
C. Give an example of God’s patience in showing the same truth about His being with you? (I could share, on the 20th anniversary of Steve’s birth into heaven, how God has been a husband to me over and over, though I constantly need the reassurance that He will be!) He doesn’t treat me as my sin deserves. I’ve had some impatient and unkind thoughts about people the past few days. I honked my horn this morning at someone who failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled in front of me. We were both going slow so it didn’t matter and was no big deal. Yet I responded like I had been wronged. What if every time I had a wrong thought or did something wrong or unkind God honked His horn at me. Yikes it would sure make my neighborhood noisy. Instead He quietly reminds me I represent Him in the world and to smile and remember He loves me.
Judy, I smiled when I read this: “What if every time I had a wrong thought or did something wrong or unkind God honked His horn at me. Yikes it would sure make my neighborhood noisy. Instead He quietly reminds me I represent Him in the world and to smile and remember He loves me.”
What a beautiful picture, Dee. It sure reminds us of eternity and this is not our home.
I am so grateful I have this extra week to join in on this lesson. My granddaughter and her family came from Texas last Wednesday and spent this whole week with us. With two little ones in the house and family gatherings it has been quite a busy time 💕😊
1. Share a time this week when you were aware of His presence, or when His Word became “radioactive” to you, or when you were acutely aware of His mercy or love.
—My son Tyce is finishing up his ministry at our church after 10 years of being the lead pastor. He has two more weeks to preach and then will be done in this place.
He acknowledged in his sermon time that this past week he had begun to grieve over leaving the people that he has been shepherding here. I had sensed when we were together at a couple of family times he was quieter than normal. After the service he and I had a few minutes to interact in the back of the church alone as we talked a bit about what he was experiencing. We both shed some tears as he hugged me close and we verbalized our love for each other. Private moments between us are very rare because we are usually together in family settings and he has five children so it’s a very busy household. I felt it was a special kiss from God I felt very loved in those moments by Tyce as my son and by God as my Father.
Dee, I will pray for you through this weekend on the anniversary of Steve’s home going. May your memories be sweet and the love of God real in your heart and life.
2. In review, what were some of the ways in chapters 6 and 7 that God reassured Gideon that He was truly with him, therefore it didn’t matter that Gideon was weak? (See Judges 7:2)
—God accepted Gideon’s offering of the meat and unleavened cakes on the rock by sending fire to consume them. Then Gideon sought God’s affirmation by laying out a fleece overnight. Once to see of it was dew covered in the morning opposite of the ground and again to see if it was dry in the morning opposite of the ground. Lastly God sent him secretly to the camp of the Midianites to overhear the dream and it’s interpretation that God was going to give him victory.
3. Read Judges 7:9-17
A. What grabs you, challenges you, or enlightens you from this passage?
—God understood the fears of Gideon and reinforced his confidence in God’s plan to rout out the Midianites by having him go down with his servant and overhear the telling of the man’s dream and the interpretation of it which was going to be the victory of Israel.
I am encouraged that when I am afraid that as I seek God’s voice in my life He will send me reassurance of his plan for good in my life. I think of the promise God made to Joshua. “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 NLT
1. Share a time this week when you were aware of His presence, or when His Word became “radioactive” to you, or when you were acutely aware of His mercy or love.
These verses are still some of my favorites through the years but they came alive once more this week:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
There is nothing that I cannot address with God. Small and big things, impossible things, closed doors (a big one this week), heartbreaks, etc. – all of these I can boldly bring to the throne of grace. His peace will stand guard over my heart and mind, knowing He has these things under His control. He is good, and He has inclined His ears to my prayers and will answer them according to His will.