by Oran Burt

1. Give up your Idols.

God had allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel for seven years because of Israel's wickedness. God called Gideon to deliver his people from the oppression, and the first order of business was to destroy the idols (Ashera) that his father had built (6:25). Idolatry had resulted in Israel hiding in caves and wine presses from their enemy. Idols can't deliver us, but can help prevent God's deliverance.

2. Prepare for Battle.

The timid, careless need not apply. God wanted Gideon to realize that he could not deliver himself, but that he must rely on God and not say "my own power has delivered me" (7:2). Our adversary doesn't give up easily. He threw down the boy possessed with demons - even after being commanded to depart (Mk. 9:26,27) - and he is determined to seek and devour. God gave Gideon 400 to 1 odds so that the issue would be clear.

3. Let your light shine.

When Gideon and the 300 men broke the pots and the lights "came on" suddenly, they were able to conquer the enemy with God's help. Light dispels the darkness. If we let our light shine among men through our good works, God will receive the glory today (Mt. 5:16).

4. Let God rule over your life.

After the deliverance, the people were so impressed with Gideon and his sons that they asked him to rule over them. He turned down the offer saying, "the Lord shall rule over you" (8:23).

5. Don't go back into bondage.

Gideon made an ephod from the gold offerings the people gave. That ephod became a snare to him and his household. We have been set free from sin that we might live for another, yet the pull of temptation is constant. Joshua pleaded with the people of God not to go back and cling to the nations from which God had delivered them (Josh. 23:12). The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Peter warned about the disaster of having escaped the pollutions of the world and yet becoming entangled in them again.