1. The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges A Study of the Book of Judges Lesson 8 Judges 6:36—7:23 When Less is More October 4, 2009

2. I.Introduction A.We have come to believe that “more” is better, while “less” is bad. 1.More people attend 2.More money spent, made, or given 3.More missionaries sent 4.More students taught 5.More people praying B.Our text will challenge this assumption. C.We have come to one of the best known and best loved stories in Judges. D.Our familiarity with this text may be a problem. E.A reminder of what has already happened in chapter 6.

3. II.Gideon’s Fleece (Judges 6:36-40) A.Why is a test needed? What is it that Gideon needs to know? B.Gideon is not seeking to know God’s will. C.He is seeking to confirm God’s Word. D.Will God save Israel through me? E.Two tests, just to make certain F.The good news and the not so good 1. Gideon is not self-confident, self-assured. 2. Gideon does not take God at His Word.

4. III.Thinning Out the Ranks (Judges 7:1-8) A.Jerub-Baal (Gideon – vs. 1) B.The place of battle C.Still too many men – the danger of taking credit for God’s work (vs. 2) D.Phase 1: the fearful sent home (vs. 3; see Deuteronomy 20:8) E.Phase 2: the “lappers and the kneelers” (vss. 4-8) F.The end result: 300 men G.Do I agree with Dale Ralph Davis (pp. 103-5)? H.The “provisions taken” (vs. 8). See NIV: So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others.

5. IV.Blessed Assurance (7:9-14) A.Command to attack (7:9) B.Assurance offered (7:10-11) C.What Gideon saw up close and personal (7:12) D.What Gideon heard (7:13-14) V.The impact of this dream (7:14-15) A.On the Midianites? B.On Gideon and his army (7:15) VI.Battle Plans (7:16-18) A.Three units of 100 men B.Their “weapons” (torches and trumpets) C.The battle plan

6. VII.The Battle (7:19-23) A.The timing (7:19a) B.The “attack” (7:19b-21a) C.Midianites panic, self-destruct, and flee (7:21b- 22). D.Other tribes (Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh) engage in the battle (7:23) VIII.Conclusion A.God is the hero, not Gideon. B.God is God alone (God vs. Baal) C.Israel “experiences God” D.Thinking God’s thoughts E.Less is more

7. Copyright © 2009 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 8 in the series, The Dark Days of Israel’s Judges, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 4, 2009. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.