They said their clothes and sandals were all worn out because their trip was so long. Show moldy bread. The number of their camels couldnt be calculatedthey seemed as numerous as the sand on the seashore. But after Gideon died, the people forgot the Lord their God who had rescued them from their enemy. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. It was a 25-mile march in the cover of night. Suite 9/8-12 Pacific Parade Dee Why NSW 2099 AUSTRALIA, Copyright BibleForce. 27 So Gideon went with ten men who were his servants and did just what the Lord had told him to do, though he did it at night because he was too afraid of his father's family and the leading[ a] men of the city to do it during the day. John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. Manoah and his wife had long hoped for a child, but Manoahs wife was barren. The Expanded Bible, Copyright 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved. The Call of Gideon - Bible Story for Kids | StillFaith.com John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Gideon just needed to believe in himself and in Godand when he did, he showed great courage and accomplished amazing things, with God on his side. The other men kneeled down and drank with their mouths from the stream. Send home all those who are afraid to fight.". I need to remember that God is with me. Gideon pushed past his doubts and obeyed God. 13 Bible Verses about Altars, Built By Genesis 8:20 Verse Concepts Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. Gideon, Gedeon [Gd'eon, Gd'e on] a cutting down, he that bruises or great warrior. Gideon sent messengers through all Manasseh on the west of Jordan, and the tribes near on the north; and the men of the tribes gathered around him, with a few swords and spears, but very few, for the Israelites were not ready for war. When we see Gideon, he is threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress. As far as all the cities INSIDE the land of Canaan, God said: Kill everything in those cities that breathes. get to know the Bible better! 300 men were in the first group. Without doubt Gideon is among the brightest luminaries of Old Testament history. Gideon requested a wet and dry. Tear down your family's altar to Baal, and build one to the true God tonight . Wipe out the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. II. Near the house of Gideon's own father stood an altar to Baal, and the image of Asherah. Main Point: We must not trust our own judgment, but follow God in everything. She could get lost, she might run out in front of a car, a big dog might come after her. Gideon, Gedeon - Lockyer's All the Men of the Bible - Bible Gateway If to-morrow morning the fleece is wet with dew, while the grass around it is dry, then I shall know that thou art with me; and that thou wilt give me victory over the Midianites.". First he told Gideon to send home any who were scared. A son of Joash of the family of Abiezer, a Manassite, who lived in Ophrah and delivered Israel from Midian. Genesis 12:7 Verse Concepts The Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." He asked for the sun to stand still in the sky! Visit her ather website and/or onFacebook. If Israel should win the victory, they would say, 'we won it by our own might.' So Gideon, at God's command, sent back to the camp on Mount Gilboa all the rest of his army, nearly ten thousand men, keeping with himself only his little band of three hundred. ", Some one said: "Gideon, the son of Joash, did this last night.". The people wished him to make himself a king. He made an oath that they could live. It was no small honor to have a niche, as Gideon has, in the illustrious roll named in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, where every name is an inspiration, and every character a miracle of grace. ", And the Lord said to him: "Surely I will be With you, and I will help you drive out the Midianites. Say: Uh oh, we can see it coming! Pull down your fathers altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. The men of Israel werent sure if they should believe the men. 30Bring out your son, the men of the town demanded of Joash. Gideon heard this prophesy and bowed in worship before the Lord. God instructed Gideon to take his servant and go down into the valley where the Midianites were camped. Actually, the trip was only two or three days, downhill. He suffered so many defeats and failures that he even put God to the test not once but three times. I need reminders so I dont forget. Midian never recovered after this embarrassing trouncing. God told Gideon to say, "Whoever is timid and afraid may leave this mountain and go home." 22,000 men went home. You can be sure that the Lord was fighting for Israel! God can use prayer to change things. I dont feel up to a task, but the Lord says He is with me. Gideon, like many of us, doubted his own abilities. Discover the powerful story of Gideon and the altar - a tale of faith, devotion, and the strength to stand against false gods. 6:34); divine fellowship (Judg. Their panic even caused them to fight against one another. The Israelites cry to the Lord for help, and God reminds them of all that Hes done for them in the past. 8So the soldiers took provisions with them, along with their trumpets, and Gideon[d] sent all the rest of the soldiers of Israel back to their own tents, but he retained the 300 men. "Rule over us as king," they said, "and let your son be king after you, and his son king after him. If you do those things, you will sin against the Lord your God. Gideon was afraid when he saw this; but the Lord said to him: "Peace be unto you, Gideon, do not fear, for I am with you.". When they came to the water, most of the men threw aside their shields and spears, and knelt down and scooped up a draft of the water with both hands together like a cup. They arrived early in the morning and took the kings by surprise. There is more hope for a foolish person than for him. Then the angel touched the offering with his staff. (God's goal is to show His glory.) Gideon needed to remember that God was with him. Gibeon was a large city - larger than Ai, and the men of Gibeon were great fighters (Joshua 10:2). The leader then calls out a Scripture reference - first the book, then the chapter, finally the verse. Show the distance from Gibeon to Gilgal. The Gibeonites had only traveled this distance. Very early the next morning, Gideon came to look at the fleece. That same night the LORD said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. 3 0 obj Sunday School - Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar - Rev. Leo H. McCrary II For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face., Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand. We learned that when we choose to disobey God, we remove ourselves from Gods protection and His blessings. We see: I. Gideon at the flail. Gideon built an altar and named that exact spot Yahweh-Shalom or The Lord is peace. The Lord asked him to sacrifice a bull as a burnt offering using the wood of an Asherah pole as the kindling. Remember all that God has done for me in my past. For less than $5/mo. And the Midian encampment was below him in the valley. 6; 7; 8).The Man of Might and Valor. Gideon did destroy his father's altar to Baal, he did it. The reluctant warrior is also referenced in Hebrews 11:32 among the heroes of faith. At that very moment he was secretly threshing grain down in the winepress instead of out in the open air where the Midianites could see him." Read the full lesson Text Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! The Israelites hadnt begun to fight yet, and they were already having the beginning of a victory. 22,000 men went home. The people of Israel were driven away from their villages and their farms, and were compelled to hide in the caves of the mountains. History teaches that obscurity of birth is no obstacle to noble service. Can Christians Speak Things into Existence? Say: The Gibeonites had heard these rules. He left a wool fleece on the threshing floor and asked God to make the fleece wet with dew by morning but leave the ground around it dry. 6:17); spirituality (Judg. Therefore when I say to you, This one will be going with you, hell go with you, but no one may go about whom I tell you, This one wont be going with you.. 26Build a well-constructed altar to the Lord your God on the top of this rock. New International Version (NIV). He was afraid of his enemy before and now he hears an angel of the Lords voice. God is not always on the side of big battalions. But the army was stronger though it was smaller, for the cowards had gone, and only the brave men were left. And what more shall I say? Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. And when they saw that Baal could not harm the man who had broken down his altar and his image, the people turned from Baal, back to their own Lord God. All rights reserved. But the father defended Gideon saying, "Why are you fighting for this god, let the god fight for himself! An angel came to him and told him he had been chosen to save Israel. /Contents 4 0 R>> Teacher: Mess up your hair and smear some dirt on your face. God told Gideon to "build a proper altar to the Lord your God." A new life, a new . He has always been (Genesis 1:1) and He can see everything in our lives (Psalm 33:13-14). And Gideon was now sure that God had called him, and that God would give him victory over the enemies of Israel. Gideon at the altar. There has never been a day like it before or since. Baal's Altar Destroyed - Bible Hub Psalm 112:5 A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. I ask, Why do you allow such-in-such to happen, Lord? It was a day when the Lord listened to a mere man. How could he do such an immense task? He found it wringing wet with dew, while all around the grass was dry. God Chooses Gideon's 300 Soldiers - Then Jerubbaal, also known as Gideon, got up early along with all of his soldiers. Joshua and his army marched uphill all night long. But Gideon was not yet satisfied. On the plain, stretching up the side of another of these mountains, called "the Hill of Moreh," was the camp of a vast Midianite army. She has also spent many years mentoring Middle School and High School girls. For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.. While they were pursuing the Midianites, they executed Oreb at Orebs Rock and Zeeb at Zeebs Winepress, and then they carried the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon from the east bank[n] of the Jordan River. The Alphabetical Order of All Men Named in The Bible. He is also called Jerubbaal, and judged Israel forty years as the fifth judge (Judg. Props: Coins; Tattered, dirty jacket or cloak to put on, a small amount of loose dirt or brown make-up, bread with spots of blue or green food coloring so it looks moldy; Say: Last week we learned about Achan and the city of Ai. He wants me to see the bad things in the world and then wonder what I can do to make a difference. PDF Primary Lesson Ninety-Two: Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal Overview The Lord reiterated, I will be with you and you will destroy the Midianites easily.. Yet this cry wasn't one of repentance. Finally, when the Lord gives me a victory, I need to remember and recount that victory years later. God wants people who are humble, people who know they make mistakes, in other words, people who know they need God. 28Early the next morning, as the people of the town began to stir, someone discovered that the altar of Baal had been broken down and that the Asherah pole beside it had been cut down. Gideon was emboldened to lead his army now. Gideon asked him to send a sign to show that it was truly God who was calling him. But the Lord said to Gideon: "The people are yet too many. In their place a new altar had been built, and on it were the remains of the bull that had been sacrificed. I am sending you!. 1. 6 Reasons Women over 50 Can Do Brave Things, This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. The angel said to him: "You are a brave man, Gideon, and the Lord is with you. The difference between them was that the three hundred were earnest men, of one purpose; not turning aside from their aim even to drink, as the others did. When Gideon was called by God, he found it difficult to understand whyhe was the youngest in his family, and belonged to the weakest clan in his tribe. 12The Midianites, the Amalekites, and certain groups[g] from the east lay encamped in the valley, as thick as locusts. These men Gideon commanded to stand in one company. Teacher: Point to Gilgal, right above Jericho. 10,000 men were left. judge: (in lesson context) a leader God provided to free Israel from danger and keep the peace sign: proof from God Lesson Judges 6-8 'Gideon thought the Lord had forgotten them. All rights reserved. Then, too, they were watchful men, always ready to meet their enemies. His character and call are presented in a series of tableaux. Gideon assumed he wasnt going to get off the hook. During the night, Gideon destroyed his family's altar to Baal, and built an altar to the true God. In a fallen world, bad things are inevitable. Then they came to Joash, Gideon's father, and said: "We are going to kill your son because he has destroyed the image of Baal, who is our god. Things to do: Request a Bible-Free Room: Owners are expected to keep Bibles in every room, but if you ask for a Bible-free room you can get one. 29The people said to each other, Who did this? And after asking around and making a careful search, they learned that it was Gideon, the son of Joash. (Meat, broth, unleavened cakes) They believed God was powerful enough to do what He said He would do! Why should you help Baal? His own father had become an idolator but idols had to go, and Gideon vowed to remove them. There he announced, Get up! It was no dishonor for Gideon to say, My family is poor., II. You would normally thresh wheat in the field. Have the moon go down, and have a student hold up sun picture up high, and walk slowly across the stage area (child should not stop moving until the sun stops in the story). Angel of the Lord: Yes, I amand I will be with you when you fight the Midianites. But wherever they turned, their enemies seemed to be standing with swords drawn. Judges 6:25-32 HCSB;NLT - Gideon Tears Down a Baal Altar - On - Bible Ask myself if it lines up with the written word of Scripture. And God only wants what is BEST for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Trust that God is with me as I take each step in my present. The story of Gideon can teach us much about obeying God even when we doubt. We will see in later lessons that this is exactly what happened (Judges 2:11-13). After this, as long as Gideon lived, he ruled as Judge in Israel. Thus Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted their heads no more. During the rest of Gideons lifetime (about 40 years) there was peace in the land of Israel. It was not far from Ai. But because he was too afraid of his fathers household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night. Instead, they made the Gibeonites to be their slaves. All the Midianites ran far away. I obey but He carries me through and makes things work. More than half of Gideon's army was afraid. The Lord agreed and waited for Gideon to return. How do I know when I am hearing from God? Israel lost everything to their enemy: their houses, their food, their goods. International Standard Version (ISV). The men blew their trumpets with a mighty noise; and the Midianites were roused from sleep, to see enemies all round them, lights beaming and swords flashing, while everywhere the sharp sound of the trumpets was heard. Once again, Scripture says, "The children of Israel cried unto the Lord" (6:6). By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Jodi has over 20 years experience teaching children in large and small group settings. It didnt go down for about a full day. It is easy to feel doubtful even when Im trying to do Gods will. Save us! King James Bible The wooden image that was next to the altar of Baal was likely an image of Asherah. Sunday, June 13, 2021: "Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar" Commentary (The The men of the city.--Of whom many may have been of Canaanite race. 27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord had commanded. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. Bible Lesson: Gideon Responds to God's Call (Judges 6-8) Destroying Demonic Altars Paula Biancalana It was the city of Gibeon. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The Israelites were very angry with their own leaders for making the peace treaty with them. gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. One day, a man named Gideon was threshing out wheat in a hidden place, when he saw an angel sitting-under an oak-tree. The king of Jerusalem asked five other kings to join him and attack Gibeon. The parent knows the safest way to get there. God told Gideon to say, Whoever is timid and afraid may leave this mountain and go home.. The king of Jerusalem had heard about how Joshua and the Israelites had destroyed Jericho and Ai. No wonder they called him Jerubbaal, meaning Discomfiter of Baal.. And the country was quiet for forty years in the days of Gideon. 29They said to each other, Who did this? After they made a thorough investigation, they said, Gideon son of Joash did it., 30Then the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out your son. Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular, Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that, LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel, Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular, Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular, Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular, Untranslatable mark of the accusative case, Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct, The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian, An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance, Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom, Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, OT History: Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his (Jd Judg. They were filled with sudden terror, and thought only of escape, not of fighting. 15When Gideon[h] heard the tale of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down in worship and then returned to the Israeli encampment. Teacher: point to Gibeon, Jericho, and Ai on the map. ( Judges 7:5) God told Gideon to take the ones that cupped their hands to drink. How much more do I need to say? I am reluctant but God is with me. Lesson 12 Gideon Faces Fear (Isaiah 41:10) - Quizlet Its also okay to ask for a sign sometimes. Why? Teacher: Hold up a handful of coins. They will have to work for youThats how you must, treat all of the cities that are far away from you. All Rights Reserved | Site by. Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us. - Joshua 9:6. Then they cried out, A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! 21They stood up, each soldier in his assigned[i] place surrounding the encampment, and the entire army ran away, sounding the alarm to retreat. God didnt make us to be independently-minded. Gideon's story is found in the book of Judges from chapters 6 to 8. This was another sign from God. Special thanks to John R. Cross, The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus, GoodSeed International. The Lord has given the Midianite army into your control! 16Then he separated the 300 men into three companies, gave them each trumpets to carry, along with jars into which he placed lit torches. There are dangers she cannot see. He was weak and he came from a family of meek people. _U"=A7Ip|F]Xe$>k|Jyx' # P2wsL!j@(Pr]Is-8$RQG+:9_{}KJ(12 moa4*Z$'`qY_ Vkdyf5x90N^4P;%.0qeGkuO:`. He must die for destroying the altar of Baal and for cutting down the Asherah pole.. Gideon probably regretted asking after he heard the Lords answer. Sunday School Lesson: Gideon Defeats the Midianites If they beat the Midian army, they would think that it was because of their own strength, and they saved themselves. And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take your father's young bullock. Then shout out, For the Lord and for Gideon!. The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers - Bible Hub Say: The parent, however, has lived 20 or 30 years longer than that child has. They heard what He did for the Israelites in Egypt and in the land of Canaan. Because if they didnt, they would be killed like Jericho and Ai (Deuteronomy 20:12). 8:24-31). 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. She loves to write devotional articles and stories that bring people hope and encouragement. PDF Beginner Lesson Ninety-Two: Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal Overview All rights reserved worldwide. Last week our lesson was about Deborah. Copyright 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. He gave to each man a lamp, a pitcher, and a trumpet, and told the men just what was to be done with them. Get the picture, here. The Israelites already had a very big army and God was on their side; now the Gibeonites would help Israel; the Gibeonites would not help the people in Jerusalem. Gideon in the Bible Overcame Doubt to Answer God's Call - Learn Religions Love The Lord Judges Lesson 7 Sunday, June 13, 2021: "Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar" Commentary . Gideon's plan did not need a large army; but it needed a few careful, bold men, who should do exactly as their leader commanded them. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. The Lord said to Gideon: "Your army is too large. Apparently up to the moment of this vision he had been contentedly tolerating the idolatrous practices which had spread over all the country.