Too Big for God to Use

 Judges 7

– Last time we studied God’s call of Gideon in chapter 6, and noted his fearfulness and reluctance to obey

-In chapter 7 Gideon is transformed from a Coward into a Conqueror

-We discover the truth this morning that nobody is too small for God to use, but sometimes we may be too big for God to use!

I. Faith Tested (vv. 1-8)

1)    In Chapter 6 Gideon puts God to the Test

a.      Fire from heaven (6:17-22)

b.      Laying out the fleece (6:36-40)

2)    In Chapter 7 God puts Gideon to the Test

a.   An impossible situation

• 32,000 Israelites vs. 135,000 Midianites (v. 12, cf. 8:10)
• Gideon thinks there are too few to win
• God thinks there are too many to win! (v. 2)

b.   An impossible situation made worse!

• Reduction #1  – Cowards are sent home (v. 3, cf. Deut 20:8)
• Reduction #2 – ‘Kneelers’ and ‘Lappers’
• 99% reduction in size of Gideon’s army – Gideon and his 300 man army must either fight in faith or flee in fear.
• “Give me a hundred men who fear nothing but sin and love nothing but God, and I will shake the gates of hell.” – John Wesley

Application: 

-We can never be too small for God to use, but there is a very real danger of being too big!

– The greatest spiritual danger is the belief that we can save ourselves – Tim Keller

II. Faith Strengthened (vv. 9-18)

1)    God’s will for Gideon to defeat Midian has now been confirmed 5 times! (6:14, 16, 21, 38, 40)

a.      Gideon’s faith in God is weak, but yet is commended! (Hebrews 11:32-34)

b.      Gideon is unwilling to go into battle unless the presence of God goes with Him

2)    One Final Sign to instill Faith

a.      The Midianite Dream (vv. 13-14)

b.      A display of God’s sovereignty and grace

3)    Gideon’s Transformation (vv. 15-18)

a.      Sincere worship of the Lord – “Before we can become successful warriors, we must first become sincere worshippers.” – W. Wiersbe

b.      Renewed Courage and Leadership

Application:

– God knows our frame (Psalm 103:14) and is kind and gentle in accommodating our weakness

– God has appointed various ‘means of grace’, by which our faith can be strengthened (God’s Word, God’s people, Prayer, Lord’s Supper etc.)

 III. Faith Vindicated (vv. 19-25)

1)    Gideon’s faith in God leads to a remarkable victory over the enemy

a.         Through the eyes of faith the things that stand opposed to us are not nearly as strong as they appear

b.      The story of Gideon begins with a coward at a winepress (6:11), and ends with a conqueror at a winepress (7:25)

2)    God’s victory through Gideon foreshadows Jesus

a.      Satan was disarmed and defeated by the cross

b.      The ultimate defeat of Satan’s kingdom is described (Revelation 20:7-10) using the battle language of Judges 7