Gideon as Judge

God calling up Gideon as Israel's next judge indicates the nation of Israel has felt the weight of God's discipline and are turning back to Him.

Gideon, as his role unfolds, demonstrates his faith as God tells Gideon to reduce the size of his army to 300 men before taking on the camp of Midian. God will use a few men of faith in the ensuing battle to demonstrate to Israel He is the deciding factor when it comes to victory.

Sadly Israel struggled with the same problem we do today - failing to remember the goodness of God and trust Him fully.

Applications from this section of Judges include:

1. God is concerned that we see His hand at work as He gives us victories.
2. Numbers are of no significance in our warfare for the Lord.
3. Our own fearfulness causes us to miss opportunities to be used by the Lord.
4. No one can remain neutral in the battles of the Lord.
5. Times of quiet and prosperity can be times of great spiritual danger even for the greatest servants of the Lord.
6. The people of God are quick to forget His great blessings - then and today.