Slices
Prepare
When were you last aware of trusting God to do something that mattered to you?
Bible passage
15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshipped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.’ 16 Dividing the three hundred men into three companies, he placed trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside.
17 ‘Watch me,’ he told them. ‘Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do. 18 When I and all who are with me blow our trumpets, then from all round the camp blow yours and shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon.”’
19 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. 20 The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’ 21 While each man held his position round the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.
22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah towards Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 23 Israelites from Naphtali, Asher and all Manasseh were called out, and they pursued the Midianites. 24 Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, ‘Come down against the Midianites and seize the waters of the Jordan ahead of them as far as Beth Barah.’
So all the men of Ephraim were called out and they seized the waters of the Jordan as far as Beth Barah.
Explore
Just imagine: it’s around 10pm, one set of tired watchmen in the Midianite camp being replaced by another set who may be half-asleep and unfamiliar to those on the first watch. There is complete darkness when the silence is broken by the blast of trumpets, smashing pots, victory cries and lights burning around the camp! No wonder the Midianite army erupts into chaos, soldiers turning upon one another in panic, rushing to escape. Maybe some of the 20,000 Israelites who had been stood down, along with some from Ephraim, join Gideon’s platoon in hot pursuit of the enemy – ‘A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!’ (v 20).
We might think that all Gideon and his troops had to do was to be bystanders. That would not be true. They had been called upon to follow Gideon and Gideon had to put his trust in God, actively cooperating with God.
Here’s a question: in what ways do we intentionally communicate to others that God really can be trusted, and we actively live in the light of that? Younger generations, living in a world with opportunities, chaos, violence and godlessness, need to know this.
Respond
Think of one person, place or situation where you long for what is wrong to be put right, only you cannot imagine how. With this in mind, reflect on Gideon’s experience of actively cooperating with God, to achieve the impossible.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Mark 3; Colossians 1
Pray for Scripture Union
The Ka’zoo and Ka’zoo 2.0 holidays start today. Please pray for Michelle and Chris as they lead the holidays and for the team as they come together to provide an amazing week for the children and young people.
