FINISH THE FIGHT
Text: Judges 8:1-23
1 And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.
2 And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?
3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.
4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?
7 And Gideon said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.
8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.
9 And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.
10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host; for the host was secure.
12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
13 And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,
14 And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and enquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.
15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?
16 And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.
17 And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.
18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.
19 And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.
20 And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.
22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also: for thou hast delivered us from the hand of Midian.
23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.
1. Gideon Overcame Criticism To Finish The Fight (vv. 1-3)
1) Ephraim was
- Ephraim was critical of Gideon’s battle plan and leadership. They reprimanded him sharply. We would say, “they gave Gideon the what for!”
- This kind of criticism can be divisive. Division in the army can bring a stop to the fight.
2) Gideon was
- Gideon could have used his platform, influence, and authority to put Ephraim in their place, but he didn’t. Instead he deferred to them.
2. Gideon Overcame Fatigue To Finish The Fight (v. 4)
1) Gideon heard the
2) Gideon had the victory of God
3) Gideon hoped in the
3. Gideon Overcame Other’s Unbelief To Finish The Fight (vv. 5-17)
- Gideon crosses Jordan and comes into the land of Gad located on the eastern side of Jordan River. He comes to Succoth and Penuel and asks for their help.
They refuse because they don’t
When other people tell you they don’t believe you can do what you believe God has called you to, it can be deflating. You’ll have to push on and anchor your belief on God’s Word and will to finish the fight.
4. Gideon Overcame Temptation To Finish The Fight (vv. 22-23)
- vs. 23 – Gideon overcomes the temptation to be king on the grounds of theology: The LORD shall rule over you.
- The real victory to be secured wasn’t just deliverance from Midianite oppression. The real victory was a return of Israel to worship God and recognize Him as their
Application:
- What does God want you to finish today?
- What obstacles might you need to overcome to finish the fight?
Bottom line: The faith-filled and faithful fight to finish the fight.
- We have to have