What I taught on 5/20/11 ... if you missed out! (CRY)

  Judges 6

Evil was done in the sight of the Lord... again (is evil ever done NOT in the sight of the Lord?)

So for seven years Israel was given to the Midianites - the oppression of the Midianites Israel hid in strongholds in caves and mountain clefts.  This did not help them much because when the Israelites planted crops the Midianites would come and ruin them. Because the Midianites were such bullies and left the Israelites without food or livestock, the Israelites called out for the help of God.

Now, in sharp contrast to last weeks lesson, God sends out a prophet THAT IS NOT EVEN NAMED to tell the Israelites basically, "Umm, what?  You want MY help now.  I told you what not to do, and what to do - and guess what, you did not listen to me!" Interestingly, this did not actually mean an answer of, "NO!" because God sends a messenger to Oprah!

Sorry... Ophrah - BIG DIFFERENCE!  Gideon lives there (or just works there hiding wine from the Midianites.)  

Check out the first thing said to Gideon!

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage.

Judges 6:12 Amp

And what is his response? (after a bit of complaint)

Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

Judges 6:15 Amp

The answer to this

...Surely I will be with you...

Judges 6:16 Amp

And then Gideon asks... for a sign to be sure it is the Lord that talks to him

NOW THE Pharisees and Sadducees came up to Jesus, and they asked Him to show them a sign (spectacular miracle) from heaven [attesting His divine authority].  He replied to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red, And in the morning, It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a gloomy and threatening look. You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  A wicked and morally unfaithful generation craves a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Then He left them and went away.

Matthew 16:1-4 Amp

Ask for yourself a sign (a token or proof) of the Lord your God [one that will convince you that God has spoken and will keep His word]; ask it either in the depth below or in the height above [let it be as deep as Sheol or as high as heaven].  But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.  And [Isaiah] said, Hear then, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary and try the patience of men, but will you weary and try the patience of my God also?  Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us].

Isaiah 7:11-14 Amp

Is it a good idea, or a bad idea to ask for a sign?

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