It really warmed my heart at how patient God is! Today meant a lot to me. I have a tendency to doubt, and i know for a fact if God chose me to do what Gideon had to do- id act the exact same😂 For a second even I got annoyed at Gideon for asking so many questions but God definitely humbled me and I realized id probably be way more scared than he was!😅 Thank God for his patience and love for us! Without it we’d constantly be walking on thin ice, by now we would’ve fallen through!
Hallelujah! God is so good to us! Day 91 falls on Resurrection Sunday 2024. Not by coincidence! I’m a recent widow and every day I need constant reassurance of Father God’s great love for me! AND HE GIVES IT! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
God, is the God of comfort! He is THE ONE who comforts us in our affliction and because He has comforted us we through Him we can comfort others! (2 Corin.1:3-4) Father, I thank you for being the God who continues to comfort us! I ask that you will send divine helpers and comforters that will be your hands and feet (prayers, help around the house, offering a ride, grocery store runs, whatever it may be) to our sister, your daughter, in the hurt and pain she may be experiencing due to her loss. Let our prayers rise up to you as a sweet aroma in your nostrils! You care about the widows, you care about her Lord! For your name sake Jesus, Amen!
My God shot is that God called him mighty warrior. Even though he was at the bottom of his clan, the least of the least, God chose him. I am currently fighting colon cancer, and when I was diagnosed, I heard Him call me a mighty warrior. I also looked around like Gideon, who me? God has been faithful through my journey and has pulled me in closer to Him. I have learned to worship Him like never before in my life. I have the deepest desire to share about His great love with everyone I meet. I even tell the telemarketers who call about Jesus and have had some meaningful conversations. He is where my Joy is and no one can take it away.
Judges 6:36-40 I saw just how patient and merciful our God is. God knows our hearts (the fears and struggles, joys and truimphs) and He meets us where we are to reveal who He is!
So often I've heard Gideon bashed by preachers for his uncertai ty and fear, but I see God in His grace, mercy, compassion, patience and love being extended to Gideon and to us. Thank You, LORD, Jesus, for being our Jehovah Shalom; our Perfect Peace; our Prince of Peace Hallelujah 🙌🏽
God gets Gideon, God knows Gideon and God patiently meets him right there in his fear and self doubt, I love God for who He is, He knows me and gets me, may I continue to draw nearer and nearer to Him everyday.
2024;yes; The Lord is Peace. The Lord is patient and is faithful. God was with Gideon; the great news is: God is with us. Amen. He is never changing. ❤
My God shot for today would definitely be God's mercy and compassionate nature. Gideon's lack of trust is enough to make anyone give up on him. God gave specific instructions and even when Gideon called other tribes to war with him, God still was with Him even if that wasn't part of God's instruction.
Happy Easter Bible Readers! My God shot is the command the LORD gave to Gideon! Go in the strength you have! Gideon is weak, has loads of questions, and God makes a way! Jesus commands us to Go into all the world, baptizing in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything He has taught us! Jesus is Risen! HALLELUJAH!
It's amazing to see how God just keeps showing up and showing out but yet we humans always seem to question everything! I long to have the "walking in the cool of the day" connection that Adam had with the Lord!
Aloha and good morning BR family. All the honor and praise to God. Verse of the day is from Mathew 28:6: "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay". I want to continue to celebrate his love and sacrifices he made for us. He is where the JOY is; and I love him!!❤💯
I love this. Gideon is one of the most taught and preached moment from the Bible, and for good reason. Gideon is the “Least of” in several ways. Many times we see ourselves as the “least of” and therefore incapable of answering God’s call. BUT WAIT…Jesus became the “least of” at the cross and thus redeemed us all. God equips those He calls. Let our hearts be open to His voice and be emboldened to know that He makes us greater than the “least of”. Glory to God.
The Angel of God appeared to Gideon, the Lord appeared, and said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid"...(Judges 6:23). Then Gideon built an altar to the Lord and called it "The Lord is Peace" (Judges 6:24). Our God is the God of peace. It is part of His character. It's who He is. ❤️
At Judg 6:24, the Spirit of the LORD “clothes Gideon with power,” and then tells him that he has too many soldiers and will claim victory for themselves in their own strength and not credit God for His strength (Judg 7:2). Apparently, the power he was clothed in was the power to trust in God, not himself. I’m reassured that when God doesn’t bring me success when I believe that I need it, that He is still with me and has a plan to show me His timing and His provision.
Yesss, this exactly the power to trust in God…not just mere power in and of itself or strength that could be conflated to self-power or might! Holy Spirit, enable us with power to Trust you!
“A craft-loving coward and a mighty God” wins the battle. No matter how weak and insecure we may feel, all we need to do is trust and obey the mighty God who is working in us and through us. He fights every battle for us if we allow Him to lead and guide us. Hallelujah!
Amen and Hallelujah 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽. When we trust and obey God he will lead and guide us to victory. God uses the least likely of us to do his best work. I thank God for leading us and ordering our steps.
I love your insight to the verses, and I love how you bring the characters to life and some of your comments are hilarious. I know the Lord is just laughing every time you say something about him, or one of the other characters.I love listening to all your recap.❤ I encourage anyone that’s interested in reading the Bible, but maybe scared of it, that this is hands-down, the best way to do it, and Tara Leigh makes it so much easier. You won’t regret it!
I share a LOT with Gideon, meaning I feel I’ll equipped for Gods mission for me. But HE just keeps showing up & giving me the victory. Thanks be to a loving and understanding Father.
Wow! God gave up the Midianite army for Gideon forces and they did not even have a single sword!! A trumpet and a torch...our to God!!! Let God's glory be magnified!!!
“And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!”” Judges 6:12 I’m so glad sees us for what we can be and not for what we presently are!!
God truly loves His chosen people and displays His loving work through the account of Gideon, a humble man of weak faith. In this reading , the Israelites are oppressed by peoples from the east, primarily the Midianites. They are descendants of Abraham by another wife after Sarah died, cousins of the Israelites. In scripture, they appear several times as agents of God's will, both in support and opposition of Israel. They are the nation of the slave traders Joseph was sold to, the nation that Moses' father-in-law and wife were from, and here they act as oppressors of Israel so that God's glory and might would be shown, according to His will. In their disobedience of God, the Israelites have become weak and timid, hiding themselves to save meager portions of food from the locust-like swam of Midianites. For God's greater glory, He chooses a man named Gideon to rise up and lead Israel to throw off the yoke of their Midianite oppressors. Gideon is a self-professed weakest man from the weakest family of Manasseh - a very humble man. God, in the form of the pre-incarnate Jesus, meets with him and Gideon complains about the oppression of the Israelites. When Gideon asks why this is happening and why God isn't doing something, God answers essentially with "I am doing something - I'm sending YOU!" Gideon thought the problem was with God, but God puts the issue right back at the feet of Gideon. Gideon displays his weak faith and asks for confirmation that it is God before him, which God patiently obliges by consuming with fire a meal offered to Him and then vanishing. Gideon has unknowingly made a sin offering of a young goat and unleavened bread as atonement, an act that resembles a Passover sacrifice. It appears that his sin has been temporarily atoned for. Now that Gideon has a mission from God, he receives a tasking from Him to destroy a pagan worship site and offer sacrifices of bulls for the nation on the wood of the destroyed site. One sacrifice appears to be for a sin offering and the other for consecration. Even though Gideon is weak, he is willing! He goes at night with some servants and does what he has been asked to do. The Israelites have continued to worship God simultaneously with Baal and this issue must be resolved. In the morning, it is evident to all what has happened and local men demand the death of Gideon for this offense. His father, in an act of bravery, stands up to the men and tells them that Baal should defend himself if he was offended. The fallacy of idol worship is illustrated for all, since Baal didn't do anything during the destruction of his altar nor after Gideon was identified. Gideon continues to communicate with God. The Holy Spirit comes upon Gideon and he is divinely empowered to blow a trumpet. Men gather behind him and messengers are sent all throughout the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to gather an army. About 32,000 men assemble with Gideon as his army. Despite what Gideon has personally seen God do, he asks for a further miracle to strengthen his faith. He asks that a woolen fleece left out overnight be wet with dew while the ground remains dry. God patiently obliges Gideon. Gideon further asks that the fleece remain dry when the surrounding ground is wetted by dew overnight. In mercy and patience, God also does this for Gideon. God knows how weak Gideon is and wants to show how he can even use the least and the weakest of people. Even weak faith as that of a mustard seed is valuable in God's service over no faith. Gideon has seen God perform three miracles to prove Himself - surely even this weak man now has all he would need for faith, right? God now begins the process of winnowing out the army. He patiently explains to Gideon that it is too large and the Israelites must know it is God working through this army and not the army itself. The opposing army is about 135,000 men strong and God wants to leave no question as to who beat them. Gideon is told to tell the men that they may be excused from the fight if they are afraid, and 22,000 men leave. Only 10,000 men remain, but God says that is still too many. God tells Gideon to perform another, seemingly arbitrary test - how they drink from a stream. The men who lap water like dogs are to be kept and the others dismissed. This is symbolic of the men who are bold and faithful in that they are like dogs, just like Caleb was likened to a dog in his boldness and faith. Now the army of 300 men is ready to face the oppressing army of 135,000. Nonetheless, God knows that Gideon is still weak in faith and tells him that he should go with his servant and spy on the enemy camp at nigh and his faith will be strengthened. There, he overhears a conversation about a dream that prophesies the defeat of the enemy army. In the dream, a very humble loaf of barley bread rolled into the camp and collapsed a tent. Only the poorest people and dogs would eat barley bread and this symbolized Gideon - a very humble person of no stature or power of his own. With God behind him, even this barley loaf of a man would defeat an immense army! Upon hearing this, Gideon worships and returns to his camp. He proclaims that God has won the victory and they must get up and take it. They go and are guided by God to use an unusual strategy designed to disorient and confuse the enemy. In the darkness, they break into three groups and surround the enemy camp. Each man has a trumpet, and a torch inside an otherwise empty clay pitcher. All at once they blow their trumpets and pull out the lit torches out of the pitchers and break the pitchers in an explosion of light and noise. Further, they all yell that they are the agents of God and of Gideon. God uses this to throw the enemy army into a fit of confusion where they start attacking each other in a panic. The remainder of the enemy army flees and they are chased down and defeated. God lovingly shows how even meager and humble people of weak faith can be used for His great purposes and how He will provide guidance and mercy for us to get His work done!
I believe God chose the 300 who lapped like dogs because they were the least ready for battle. In that all fours position lapping at the watet; they were the most vulnerable to attack and therefore more trusting of God to protect them. They well ALL IN!
God appoints Gideon. He knows that Gideon is given to fear. He calls him a mighty man of valor. He is patient with him and gives him double confirmation. God meets him in his doubts of fear. He tells him I am WITH you. God decreases Gideon’s army so God will get increased glory. Our insecurities and weaknesses mean nothing when God is in our life.
My God Shot is that God will always get the glory no matter what. Gideon needed constant reassurance just like how some of us do, but God being God never got angry he gave him confirmation and that is the God I serve and he is where the joy is🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Gideon was the son of Joash, of the tribe of Manasseh. The division to which this family belonged held no leading position, but the household of Joash was distinguished for courage and integrity. Chapter 7:6-9 Success does not depend upon numbers, God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who serve Him.
Thank you for your encouragement, I pretty quickly got behind, but in still excited about reading and learning more about my God's character and constancy. I now have a heart understanding of slow to anger and rich in mercy. Thank you, I'm still moving forward and enjoying it! and loving God more and more!!
I love that you said that they did not pop up Gideon and tell him how awesome and good he can do it kind of junk like we do in culture today. We point them back to the Lord.
I love how god chooses the most unlikely people to concern so he gets the honor. If god had chosen someone who was an awesome leader or something God wouldn't be glorified and the people would say that they won because their awesome. But god uses a complete coward to work in because he loves even the most unlikely people and helps them do amazing things and god wants to use you in his kingdom!😂
Thank you so much. I am enjoying this so much. I'm seeing God more and more as I stick with this. Your recaps are super helpful because I dont quite understand what I'm reading all the time. So simply explained. Yay!
Once again, because of Israel's disobedience, the Lord gave them over to the Midianites (6: 1-2). And again, after 7 years, the people cry out to the Lord. First, God sends a prophet (6: 7-10). After this, He calls on Gideon to defeat the Midianites. God continues to show that He can use even the least likely person to rescue Israel. Gideon came from the weakest clan of the tribe of Manasseh, and he was the least in his father's house (6: 15). Even when Gideon is hesitant, God keeps patiently encouraging him. The Angel of the LORD (Jesus) shows up and tells him not to fear because God is with him (6: 12, 16. ). Gideon is commanded to destroy the altar to the false god Baal that is in his father's house along with the Asheroth. Gideon does this, but at night, for fear of anyone seeing him. He asks for signs as proof (6: 17-22; 36-40), and the Lord answers. The Lord dwindled down his troops from 32,000 to 300. I definitely would be fearful going into battle with such a small army. But God gives him confirmation yet again that he will win the battle (7: 9-15). This army isn't even going to use traditional weapons. Wow! With man's effort, it is impossible. But, with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19: 26). Praise Him!
"He makes a trip to Hobby Lobby" 😂😂😂 cracked me up!! Love how Gideon is hiding in a wine press, and God calls him "mighty warrior". God speaks to what he puts inside of us, and is dormant until we surrender and trust Him. ❤
I love that - yes, HE does speak to what HE puts inside of us!! It reminds me of the scripture in Jeremiah 1:5 where it says HE knew us before HE placed us in our mother’s womb.
Happy Resurrection day!!! I am so blessed to have found this plan. I can also relate to Gidon situation, but I know that God is in control and in the end we win!
TBR with TLC = HWTJI ! Day 91! The only thing I’ve done consistently for 90 days before is P90X. TBR is way better, Yahweh better 🙏 So grateful for TBR & TLC 🙏♥️🙏
How many times do we panic 1st, then obey when we would've had such a more blessed life to obey over panic, anxiousness. I see this visually w Gideon & me
I am behind the original schedule and am thankful when I here Tara say, “it is ok if you are behind”. I am really enjoying reading through the Bible with the Recap. Thank you!
Israelites again turn away from The Lord. However, yet again The Lord rescues His people and makes the point that God is fighting for them. The Lord answered, I am with you. The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Judges 6:1, 12, 16 NIV
This was not the strangest battle in history. This is God at work. There is a distinct purpose in the clay jar in one hand and the rams horn in the other. God did it all! In Judges 6:16 NLT “The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”“ The Mideonites kill almost all their own men while Gideon’s army loses not a single one - ever. That is all God!
Thought came to me , that Gideon asked God for signs because he didn't know who God is. He had been worshipping a false God and had no relationship with Yahweh. God is patient with Gideon because He knows Gideon doesn't know Him. How often do I ask God for "a sign" because I have forgotten who my God is? More than I would like to admit. Makes me question what "wine press" I might be hiding in?
My God-shot: “Jehoiada died when he was old and full of days; he was 130 years old at his death.” 2 Chronicles 24:15 HCSB I desire to live a life where this is said of me by the King.
Yes, that does seem odd to me, too! Although we don't really know that God was okay with this. There seems to be several things here that God allows Gideon to do that aren't all that great. But He works through him despite his failures. 🤷♀️
