Title Judges 6:36-40 Praying for Evidence
Contents
Judges 6:36-40 Pray for Evidence Topic: 14. Prayer. 2007. 6. 3.
◎ Introduction
: The crowd is called by Gideon's trumpet, but he asks for a sign from God once again (twice) before the battle.
※ This shows Gideon's weakness, and he was not able to completely drive out fear by looking at his own weakness.
1. Seeking a sign for assurance (36-38)
2. Seeking a sign to trust in God (39-40)
1. Seeking a sign for assurance (36-38)
※ It is not because we do not know God’s guidance, but because we have confidence in ourselves.
One). “Look, I have a wad of wool...”:
※ Required sign: Only the wool on the threshing floor has dew drops and the threshing floor must remain dry.
2). “I know that you will save Israel with my own hands”:
※ Justification: Through this sign, I am convinced of God's word that I will present myself as my savior.
3). “As already said”
※ The fact is that he had already received power by the clear word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit, and he no longer needed to seek a sign. He was also acknowledging himself.
※ Although he destroyed the altar of Baal, he fully confirmed it through the experience of preserving life.
4). What Gideon Wants
※ It is to prove God's calling with God's supernatural power.
※ He wanted to experience the power of God who transcends the environment through signs that cannot be seen by human power.
(Deut 11:4, Jos 2:10, 4:23, 6:20, 24:6-7, Psalm 136:13, 15, Acts 7:36, Hebrews 11:29)
Application: If we only look at our reality, we will despair of our own weakness rather than relying on God.
※ Reality ① Gideon's army had 32,000 soldiers without war experience.
② The army of the enemy coalition is 135,000 skilled in war (Allied forces: Midian, Amalek, people of the East)
※ It is the image of us who cannot fully trust in God.
* It is like the appearance of five barley loaves and two fish when asking the disciples in the New Testament era to feed 5,000 people.
(Matthew 14:16-17, Mark 6:37, John 6:5-9)
2. Seeking a sign to trust in God (39-40)
One). “Gideon has another one~~”
※ Gideon asked for a sign and received an answer, but he asks for a sign again.
2). “I’m only this time~~”
※ Rather than obeying God's will, it is an attitude of not trusting completely.
* Not because he doubted God, but because he still couldn't look away from him.
* He cannot escape the thought that he is no better than those who blew the trumpet.
※ Many people still do not understand the will of God who chose him.
* Gideon was still unaware of the providence of God using him as an ordinary farmer who did not have the qualifications to lead people to victory in war.
Application: The answer to Gideon's request is the fact that he was deeply aware of his own weakness.
※ If you are deeply self-aware, you can become a perfect tool when you trust and follow God. Therefore, in spite of their weakness to constantly seek a sign, they are trained to rely entirely on it.
※ There is no need to imitate Gideon's weakness,
We must always remember that we must be sure of our weakness before God.
(1 Corinthians 15:8-10, Psalm 103:15-16)
◎ Conclusion: