QT 28 Nov 12, Miracles have a purpose, but long-term faith is not one of them

Judg 7:15-18 (NIV) When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands." 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.

17 "Watch me," he told them. "Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all around the camp blow yours and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon.'"

NOTE: So, in this case we see that a miracle gives temporary faith and courage. I say temporary because it seems as if Midian has needed repeated miracles--this is the third. The miracle in this case is the dream to the Midian soldier, and the fear within the Midian soldiers--for really no reason. Consequently, Gideon is quite bold as he charges forward (or should I say sneaks forward) with his 300 men. The basic message is still the same. Miracles have a purpose but they are short lived. To walk by faith requires much more, it requires a relationship with God. And a relationship is built through shared experiences and time together. This means that a Christian who does not want to live from Christian high to high, must have a regular devotional time with God, also called a quiet time. When we meet with God regularly, we get to know him, and as we get to know him, we trust him, and as we trust him, we act in a manner worthy of him and then see him work in our life experiences.

QT 16 Nov 12, God understands our fear

Judges 7:8-15 (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.

Now the camp of Midian lay below him in the valley. 9 During that night the Lord said to Gideon, "Get up, go down against the camp, because I am going to give it into your hands. 10 If you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah 11 and listen to what they are saying. Afterward, you will be encouraged to attack the camp." So he and Purah his servant went down to the outposts of the camp. 12 The Midianites, the Amalekites and all the other eastern peoples had settled in the valley, thick as locusts. Their camels could no more be counted than the sand on the seashore.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."

14 His friend responded, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands."

15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped God. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, "Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands."

NOTE: So Gideon is down from 32,000 troops to 300, and God knows that is scared. I think I would be too. I'm not sure if a miracle or two would remove that fear either. It's not what was behind but what is in front that worries me. But God is gracious and recognizes a very real fear in Gideon. He gives Gideon the opportunity to hear what the Midianites are saying, but he does not require him to go down and listen. Gideon does and of course God provides for him a sign through a dream given to one of the pagan soldiers. I think he also realizes that as much as he was afraid of the Midianites (especially with only 300 troops), they are afraid of him (although they don't know about the 300). Gideon correctly worships God and is obedient. It is not a complete slam dunk and he has to pass his new courage onto his troops but it is an amazing story of what God can do when we are obedient to him. We can still see the wonders of old if we are willing to obey his leading.

QT 14 Nov 12, God is the one who brings about the results

Judges 7:1-8 (NIV) Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.'" So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."

5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." 6 Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 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.

NOTE: Another way to look at Gideon's question of where are all the wonders (Judges 6:13) is that Gideon's comment reflected the feeling of the people and not just one individual. When Gideon questions the wonders, he is merely repeating the common discussion among the people. That would fit better with verse 7:2 where God explains his reasoning for reducing the 32,000 men down to 300 men--so that Israel would not think that her great strength saved her. God wants the people to realize that the God of wonders is still with them. Gideon, is also guilty since his actions up to this point have shown a lack of faith. I wonder what the 300 men thought at that point. I wonder how many wished they had joined the original 32,000. I wonder what Gideon thought or if the fleece test was sufficient to calm his worried nerves. A lot of people try to make sense out of the lapping, as if a person is better suited for war. Really, an argument can be made both ways. I don't think God was looking for the best warriors so much as he was just reducing the numbers. Whatever the real answer for why God used the methods he did, the point remains is that he reduced the size from 32,000 to 300 so that Israel would realize that it was not her strength but rather God's power which saved her. What is the application? Well, you can do everything right and you might be the best person for the job, but if it is a spiritual task and you are not seeking God or honoring God, then the probability of a disaster or no real value is high.

QT 12 Nov 12, Sometimes we need to take less time seeking direction and more time acting

Judges 6:33-40 (NIV) Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, calling them to arms, and also into Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali, so that they too went up to meet them.

36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— 37 look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said." 38 And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew — a bowlful of water. 

39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece. This time make the fleece dry and the ground covered with dew." 40 That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

NOTE: The Spirit of the Lord comes upon Gideon which stirs him to call up the Israelites for battle. But the filling of the Holy Spirit does not prevent him from doubting, and there is no indication that the Spirit left him. So after striking out bravely in the Spirit's power, Gideon tests God twice for assurance that it really is God and that God has the power to do the impossible. The problem with Gideon's testing of God is that God adds in a completely different test. Gideon twice puts a fleece down with different conditions, and God, twice, will whittle down Gideon's army. After the two fleece-tests, Gideon is ready to go. After the two whittle-down tests, God is ready to work. Again I have to wonder, if Gideon had not tested God (which is wrong) would God have tested Gideon? I don't know, but it does make one wonder. Gideon is the one whose first comment to God was, "where is the God of wonders our Fathers told us about." Well, God is there with Gideon and about to do a wonder again.

Gideon is both a story about faith and non-faith. God does not get angry at his questions, tests, or even lack of faith. Although, there are stories where a lack of faith does anger God. Maybe the application is that we take too long to act in an area where God has revealed his will. Certainly, there is a need for confirmation and we don't want to act on an "emotional" event. But maybe we take too long to move out. I can think of a few things that I've felt I've needed to do but have failed to act. I suppose now is the time to act.

A few post-election thoughts ...

First of all, and this goes back to my entry on 29 June (http://qt-notes.blogspot.com/2012/06/qt-29-jun-12-its-not-politics-that-has.html), the problems in our country will not be solved by new elected officials of either party. It is possible that a change in the political order may slow the decay of our culture, but I doubt it would be noticeable. Our problems require inward change. And I would offer as proof the incivility of the entire political discourse. Name-calling, vulgarity, profanity, rudeness -- when did these attributes become part of our political discourse? Yes, they have been around awhile, but the degree to which they have been used has changed for the worst. There used to be an art to language which never required the vulgarity of today. And so we will continue on our path. Paul, nearly 2000 years ago said it best: 

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32)

The good news is that it has never been easier to be a witness for Jesus Christ. If we live in the power of the Holy Spirit and are growing in our relationship with Christ, we will be different. People will come up to us and ask us if we are religious. My response is usually, "no, been there, done that, and I'm not a big fan of religion and rules, but I have found that a relationship with Jesus Christ has completely changed my life." That's it! That is all we have to say, because it's true. Paul also wrote:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So where do we go from here? We need to go back to the basics, which is almost always something that Jesus said for us to do. I can think of two things that we need to give ourselves to if we really want to see change and hope blossom. The first thing is Jesus' response to the disciples' question about changing the political landscape.

So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:6-8)

The second thing is our mission and it is summarized in the last two verses of the first book of the New Testament.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)

So, how are we doing at being a witness and making disciples? If we really believe in Christ, that is what our lives should be about. Jesus really didn't give a whole lot of attention to the political landscape. He had more important things to give his life for.

QT 7 Nov 12, There are consequences to disobedience

Judges 6:21-22, 25-32 (NIV) With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!"

. . .

25 That same night the Lord said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height. Using the wood of the Asherah pole that you cut down, offer the second bull as a burnt offering."

27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the Lord told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the men of the town, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

28 In the morning when the men of the town got up, there was Baal's altar, demolished, with the Asherah pole beside it cut down and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar!

29 They asked each other, "Who did this?"

When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it."

30 The men of the town demanded of Joash, "Bring out your son. He must die, because he has broken down Baal's altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."

31 But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, "Are you going to plead Baal's cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar." 32 So that day they called Gideon "Jerub-Baal," saying, "Let Baal contend with him," because he broke down Baal's altar.

NOTE: A number of observations stand out. One, Gideon was not given courage by the sight of the fire from the rock. He is afraid of the town's people and so he obeys God secretly. Secondly, only when the town demands his life does he stand up to the people. His argument is a good one, but probably born out of fear rather than faith. In this case, the fear of death gave him more courage than the sight of fire from a rock. One can't help but wonder if Gideon's challenge to God about "where are all the wonders?" is not the reason for Gideon's particular challenging ordeal.

Also, using the Asherah pole as the wood for the burnt offering is a very strong action. It also highlights the main fault of the people in destroying the altars and high places when they finish taking the land. And it makes life very uncomfortable for Gideon. Yet, if the Israelites had obeyed at the beginning, they would not be dealing with this issue now. It is a consequence of their failure to obey. And so, we too have consequences in our life when we fail to obey God's instructions.

God have mercy on me when I fail to obey. Also, help me to see those areas where I am not listening to you. I want to be obedient.

QT 1 Nov 12, Signs, wonders, and emotional experiences have short term effects on our faith

Judges 6:17-24 (NIV) Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me. 18 Please do not go away until I come back and bring my offering and set it before you."

And the Lord said, "I will wait until you return."

19 Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

20 The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. 21 With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the Lord touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the Lord disappeared. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face!"

23 But the Lord said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."

24 So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

NOTE: This is one of several signs that Gideon, the man who asked where are all the wonders that our forefathers told us about, sees. It seems strange that after this encounter with the angel of the Lord that Gideon will require two more signs (the fleece). This particular sign precedes the destruction of foreign worship sites and almost results in Gideon's death. But this sign is forgotten as Gideon gets close to battle, and he requires the additional signs before going into battle. But the point of signs is that seldom do they last very long. They are quickly forgotten, even by the person who experienced the sign. One day, a person is extolling God for how good he is and then a few weeks later that same person is struggling just to meet with God in a devotional time. Signs, wonders, and emotional experiences have a short term effect on our faith. Long term growth in faith is based on a deep and personal walk with God. Rather than looking for signs, we are better off getting up early and meeting with God in his word regularly. Those are the things that will change our life forever.