Douglas Jacoby Podcast

OT Characters: Gideon

Episode Summary

Douglas continues his Old Testament Characters series diving into the life of Gideon. Douglas examines the story of Gideon and what we can learn from his life. He also shares key things we learn about God through this biblical narrative as well as ideas for how to share this with your children in a family devotional.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• Gidh'on (Gideon) -- 41x in Judges 6-8 and Hebrews 11
• Yerubba'al (Jerubbaal) -- sounds like Yerubh bo ha-ba'al (Let Baal contend) -- 14x in Judges 9, 1 Samuel 12, and 2 Samuel 11

Further study:

• Passages covered in the poscast:
  • Judges 6-8
  • Hebrews 11:32-33.
  • Referred to: Luke 9, Exodus 32, Numbers 21, Genesis 2
• Learn about Gideon's son, Abimelech -- Judges 9
• Study further passages where the Lord commissions a man or woman, who hesitates (either to obey or out of a sense of unworthiness), then follows God's word and wins the victory: Saul (1 Samuel 9), Isaiah (Isaiah 6), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1), Esther (Esther 4), Amos (7), Peter (Luke 5… Can you find any more?
• Advanced:
  • See James Greig's intriguing Gideon Reconsidered.
  • For more on how we discern God's will (fleecing, how the Spirit works, etc), see: The Spirit (Jacoby) and Decision Making and the Will of God(Friesen).

Some things we learn about God:

• Stature among one's friends and family, community or colleagues does not impress God. He is looking for faith.
• At times the Lord may accede to our requests for faith-confirming signs (not that we have any guarantees what transpires might not be coincidence). As in the case of Thomas (John 20), He understands our debility and doubt.
• When we are dormant spiritually, God may activate us!

For kids:

• Take a look at Gideon the Unlikely Warrior.
• Also see Children’s Bible Lessons (on the Judges) – includes a word search.

Key verses:

• Judges 6:12 -- Gideon is commissioned.
• Judges 6:27 -- He tears down the altar to Baal.
• Judges 6:37 -- He puts out a "fleece" (not recommended).
• Judges 7:22 -- The Midianite army defeats itself!
• Judges 8:21 -- Gideon slays the Midianite rulers.
• Judges 8:27 -- Gideon, like Aaron before him, fashions what will become an object of (idolatrous) worship.

Next lesson: Samson