Learn From Gideon, 42

~ Give God The Preeminence ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Then he tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.  And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, ‘What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?’  So they answered, ‘As you are, so were they; each one resembled the son of a king.’  Then he said, ‘They were my brothers, the sons of my mother.  As the Lord lives, if you had let them live, I would not kill you.’  And he said to Jether his firstborn, ‘Rise, kill them!’  But the youth would not draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was still a youth.  So Zebah and Zalmunna said, ‘Rise yourself, and kill us; for as a man is, so is his strength.’  So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescent ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.  Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, ‘Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian’” (Judges 8:17-22).   

Learn From Gideon  ~  Gideon understood that the glory belonged to God—not himself.

1. From the beginning God had told the Israelites that He did not want them to be ruled by a king. 
2. This is the first indication in Scripture of the Israelites wanting a king. 
3. Be careful of man’s praises.  “Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than me’” (Acts 5:29). 
4. Gideon turned down their offer to make him their king.
5. Like Gideon, all children of God should always give God the glory and preeminence. 

Challenge For Us  ~  Do you always put God and His desires for you first? 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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