91- Imperfect vessels for His honour

Chareen's Thoughts

Battle of Gideon against the Midianites.
Nicolas Poussin 1626

Today signifies that we are a quarter of our way through the bible and a quarter of the way through this year.

I just hate it when life gets in the way of good intentions.  Once again I am 'behind in my readings'  I feel like I am constantantly in catch up mode :( ! 

I am looking forward to the beginning of our holiday and the time this will provide for me to read and learn. I am hoping to catch up and blog depending on the availability of internet in South Africa.

• Gideon had an army of 32,000 men with him.  The Lord declared that that was too many and he needed to release those who were in fear to go home. 22,000 went home. 
• Next the Lord Himself chose 300 to represent Him in the war against Midian so that the people of Israel would know that it was the Lord who delivered them and not their army.
• The Lord encouraged Gideon who was in fear and led him to overhear a dream and it's interpretation down in the camp of the enemy. 
• Gideon and his 300 surrounded the camp and did as the Lord commanded. The Lord won the battle and the huge army fled.
• As the armies fled Gideon the Lord handed them over to Israel. The tribe of Ephraim captured the Kings Oreb and Zeeb and killed them.
• Gideon and his small army of 300 continued to pursue the fleeing armies. During their pursuit they went through Succoth and Penuel but were denied support. Over 120,000 men of the enemy army had already died. Gideon captured the kings leading these armies and disciplined the cities who did not stand with him and support his army.
• The people asked Gideon to lead them but he said no the LORD will rule over you.
• Gideon took gold from the plunder and made an idol that the people worshiped.  He went home after avenging his brothers deaths and there was peace for 40 years in Israel while he lived.  He had 70 sons because he had many wives.
• Abimelech was Gideon's son.
• After Gideon died Israel once again turned their hearts to Baal.
• Abimelech was made king and then killed all his brothers accept for Jotham who had hidden away. 

I was a little shocked today when I read the conclusion of the story of Gideon.  I had not remembered the parts of him making an idol and having so many wives and concubines!  It saddened me to read that a nation is led astray by a godly man.

I was also encouraged me that God used a sinner who loved him and did not follow him perfectly to deliver His people. There is hope for us who are not 'perfect' vessels that we might become vessels of honour in His mighty hand.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use]. So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Amplified Bible)
Blessings
Chareen