Daily Bible Reading for April 1, 2020

Today my Bible reading plan covers Judges, Chapters 6 and 7.

In Chapter 6, the Israelites resorted to their disobedience to God, having an altar to Baal and had an Asherah, which was a wooden pole representing the mother goddess, so the LORD sold them into the hands of the Midianites. The Midianites would devour their crops, leaving them no sustenance, nor cattle. They cried out to the LORD for help.

This time God sends them a prophet to remind them how he has cared for them, delivered them, and gave them the Promised Land. But God calls out Gideon to deliver and save Israel. Gideon, although God calls him a mighty man of valor, states he is the weakest. God promises Gideon that he will be with him and that he will defeat the Midianites. Gideon is instructed to pull down the Baal altar and the Asherah, which he does at night.

Gideon summoned his army, but still doubted and fleeced the LORD, and God confirmed it. Gideon wanted to be sure so he asked God to respond again.

“Then Gideon said to God, ‘Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece.'” Vs. 39a

In Chapter 7, God observed that Gideon’s army was too large for him to give them the victory because they would be inclined to believe they did it by their own might.  God had Gideon send home all who were afraid. Twenty-two thousand left, leaving ten-thousand. God still thought it was too large and had it reduced through his test, and ended up with an army of three hundred.

Although the Midianite army was very large, Gideon defeats the Midianites with trumpets and jars with torches. When they blew the trumpets the Midianites ran, and the LORD caused the Midianites to turn their swords on each other.

My Thoughts On This: God is gracious and a mighty warrior. Although Gideon, like Moses, did not feel up to the task, God accommodates his weakness, for he knows our frame. God is also strategic, and will not give his glory to another. God is forgiving and he is a promise keeper because he keeps delivering Israel when they cry for help. He remembers his covenant he made with their fathers.  God is the same, yesterday and forever. We too have this awesome privilege.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Let’s read the Book!