Joshua, the Old Testament Super Hero

• God raises up Joshua to lead Israel into the promised land and to conquer it.

• Israel does the job...almost.

"Order in the Court!" – Joshua and the Judges

• Old Testament Judge - One whom God raises up to deliver and rule over His people; settling disputes was only aspect of their calling, an aspect that receives little attention in the Scriptures.

• Main function - Agent of God to deliver His people from foreign oppression.

The book of Judges – a Cycle of Insanity

• The inhabitants left over in the land become a snare to Israel, enticing the Israelites to worship their false gods.

• God uses a foreign nation to punish Israel for its idolatry.

• Israel cries out for mercy to the Lord.

• The Lord sends a judge to save the people

• God conquers Israel's enemies, and Israel enjoys a time of peace

• Israel becomes complacent and worships false gods...

  The Reoccurring Theme of the Book of Judges:

  "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit."
  Judges 17:6

"The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!" (Judges 6:12)

• Gideon's name is related to a Hebrew verb meaning "to hack away or to hew". He is called a warrior in the Bible, one who "hacks down" the enemy, so to speak.

• When we meet him in Judges 6, Gideon is not much of a warrior

• God provides Gideon with opportunities to trust in Him, and slowly but surely, Gideon becomes bold - not in himself, but in the Lord.

• Gideon cuts down the Asherah pole and demolishes the altar to Baal that his father had built - he cuts off idolatry in his own house.

• With God's power, he defeats the nation of Midian with 300 men.

"The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!"

• God doesn't find warriors - He creates warriors.

• Where is God giving you opportunities to place your trust in him?

• Is God calling you to take a bold step, perhaps starting with your own family?

• Remember who does the fighting - the Lord, not us!