Bible Discussion Thread

Ju.8:1-3 "Gideon"

Gideon rallied around him men from his own tribe Manasseh and all those who obeyed call to arms from other tribes from Asher Zebulun and Naphtali(6:35). Since it was God who fought their battle he could accept criticism from men of Ephraim who had faulted him for not including them.

'A soft answer turns away wrath'. In vv. 2-3 Gideon puts this precept to practice (Pr.15:1). Gideon as a judge did not win their victory but the word of God by Law of Gradation made his sword as that of David after him one and also with that of the Prince of peace. When the three hundred in one voice shouted "The sword of theLord, and of Gideon(7:18)" it was God the Son who fulfilled the directive of his Father. The glory of his Word when flashed holds eternal word in its fierceness against which no power shall stand. Thus the Law of Gradation just stated, takes us to Moses on the rock at Horeb with his hands raised up while Joshua fought with Amalek (Ex.17:13) The same sword connects with the sword of Jesus Christ, 'And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations(Re.19:15a)'

Gideon places himself merely as doing the will of his Father. The Spirit uses him as a stand-in for the Son. What does it lead to. He makes himself insignificant before the men of Ephraim,'What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?'. Ephraim can take credit over their victory and it recalls the line' the lame take the prey, "For theLordis our judge, theLordis our lawgiver, theLordis our king; he will save us.When God is the cause for victory even The lame shall take the prey(Is.33:23)"