This is one of the most exciting parts of this book! Fresh from his experience with God, Gideon in unquestioning obedience to the Lord’s command cast down the altar of Baal that existed in his father’s own backyard! A direct challenge to the gods and to all those who had submitted to Baal.
It is wonderful to see this act of faith. Family ties could not deter him from being obedient to the Lord. What had been a scene of defeat became a scene of victory when faith was involved. ‘Gideon … did as the Lord had said unto him’ (v27). This is obedience to the revealed command of the Lord. Has the Lord said something to you through His Word recently? Could it be said that you ‘did as the Lord had said’? Notice that this act of faith followed the preparation and the present that he had offered to the Lord in the previous verses. Worship must ultimately provoke obedience. Obedience certainly provoked opposition! But Gideon’s faith made his father stand up and be counted on the Lord’s side and from that we can learn that what we do for the Lord does influence others for good.
As you read the text it suggests that Gideon’s act of faith then stirred up the enemy for, ‘Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over…’ (v33). Obedience to the Lord does not go unnoticed, both by the Lord and by Satan himself. But the Lord had stirred His man and now the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and the people fell in behind him. The Lord had already told him in v14 that he would save Israel; he had not forgotten that promise for in v36 he says to God ‘as Thou hast said’. So why the need for the fleece? Where was the faith that marked him earlier in the chapter? Had he heard of the massed ranks of the enemy and begun to waver? Does this not remind us of our own wavering faith in times of stress? We too remember the Lord’s promises, we know He is able and yet we seek further confirmation still before we move out in faith. What we really learn from this is how different God is from us! Perhaps we would have torn Gideon off a strip for doubting or showing a lack of faith, but God did not. He very graciously did what Gideon asked. He knows we are but dust, but still chooses to use us in His work!
Reports
The Culloden Assembly held a weekend of special meetings in November on the subject of the Bible, taking advantage of the 400th anniversary of the King James Version. Tom Wilson was the speaker, and the assembly was encouraged to see excellent attendance at all the meetings and several unconverted present over the weekend. The subject was of interest to believers from other places, and a number spoke of being blessed. We continue to pray that the Lord will use the Word presented to awaken and save
Meeting at Christmastime.
Nitish Patel reports; After seeing a few Hindu men saved, we were praying that the Lord would save some ladies too. The Lord answered that prayer and sent a Hindu lady to us in October. Her name is Bena and she told us that she started reading the Bible in 2006 after glancing over to see a Bible someone was reading on the bus next to her. She bought a Bible for herself and had been looking for a Bible study. The Lord led her to Wembley Gospel Hall and she has been regularly attending our Monday meeting. She was in tears when she told us of the joy she had within, at finding a place where she can have her questions answered. She told us that she had stopped worshipping idols after she read the book of Judges and saw it was wrong. She is very close to the kingdom of God and we value prayer that she will be saved soon. Recently a young Gujarati lady named Anu joined the Bible class. She is from India and seeking the Lord. We pray that she will continue to attend and find salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jim McMaster reports that they have seen a steady stream of people from the soup kitchen work, come into the gospel hall to hear the gospel preached. Several are showing a deepening concern for their soul and one man who is blinded by modern philosophy has been earnestly seeking the truth. 2011 has seen 10 of those who regularly attended, losing their lives as a result of addiction or violence on the street! The Good News van continues to be the focus of the work and is recognized all over the city. The Jail work goes on with visitation to the cells on the wings and the Bible Class continues to give encouragement. An urgent need for prayer would be the appointment of a new chaplain. Please pray that he will be sympathetic to the gospel and that this needy work will not be hindered.
Here is a recent summary from Wesley Downs year end report.
Graeme Patterson was with the assembly here for a week’s children’s meetings in the hall. The number of children present was in the mid 20’s each evening with a couple of parents also coming in. Also during the week Graeme went into local schools to take assemblies and spoke to just under 1000 children, each receiving a gospel calendar. It was good to see the continued interest of the children in attending the meetings and of the schools to give access for assemblies.
The assembly put on a Bible Exhibition in October. It was advertised to commemorate 400 years of the KJV Bible. Around 50 adults and 300 school children came. Stephen Baker was with the assembly all week, and stayed for a second week during which children's meetings were held with up to 30 children coming daily, including some new ones.
The assembly at Auchinleck was greatly encouraged during nine weeks of gospel meetings with Ian Robertson. Many local people attended the meetings and some professed salvation. They also had the joy of four people being baptized on the last Friday of the year when good numbers from the district also attended the meeting.
Gospel Meetings in Buckie (October/November) with Joe Baxter and Martin Hunter.
Two weeks of gospel meetings in Clifton Gospel Hall, South Norwood saw good numbers of folk brought under the sound of the gospel. Night by night Jonathan Black faithfully preached the message of salvation.
Two weeks of tent meetings in Bicester during August with Terry Topley and Dan Gillies saw a good interest from the locality. Over 70 adults and children filled the tent on the last evening of the first week, and numerous new contacts have been integrated into the regular weekly meetings since then. In Wallingford during October a week of the Bible Exhibition was followed by a week of children’s meetings with Stephen Baker.
J Rogers concluded gospel meetings on 8 September. Local believers covered a large area around the hall prior to the commencement of the meetings with approximately 4500 homes being visited. Some came and heard the Gospel. Opportunity arose which enabled the privilege of presenting the gospel in many homes. Quite a few new contacts were made which the local saints will follow up with a view to having them attend their weekly gospel meeting. God was pleased to bless in salvation. Neighbouring assemblies gave great support which was very much appreciated.
Reports and forthcoming meetings in N.I. as at the beginning of October.
David Morgan has had a number of gospel tent campaigns over the summer. Although the numbers have been small the gospel has been faithfully preached. At Aberystwith about 12 souls came in but no real interest was seen which was disappointing for the little assembly. Although few in number they have a great interest in the district which they regularly visit with tracts and they have a great desire to maintain the principles of gathering. David found it a real joy to be among them to encourage their faithfulness. Four days were spent as well standing outside the Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells. In previous years as many as 40,000 people passed by but with coach transportation from the car park into the show, this is now reduced to around 7,000. However the majority of people were still able to hear the gospel over the amplifier as they returned to their cars in the evenings.
Gospel work in Wembley.
Reaching children with the word of God in Aberdeen and Inverurie.
Gordon McCracken has been busy with various holiday clubs for children, in his own assembly at Maryhill, Glasgow then at Grangemouth and Whitburn. Good numbers of children once again heard the gospel message presented. Gordon for some time now has been putting together a mobile Bible Exhibition and was recently in the goodness of God, able to purchase a 7.5t box van for the purpose of transporting and storing the exhibition. Prayer would be valued regarding a suitable place to park the vehicle within reasonable proximity of Glasgow.
Following their annual conference at the end of September, the assembly at St Monans had a week of gospel meetings with Blair Martin as the preacher.
Elim Hall The assembly held their annual holiday club for the children at the end of July. Gordon McCracken was again responsible and large numbers of children attended. A great interest was shown by the children and a number of parents came along for the prize giving on the Friday evening.
Letter from Ian Rees requesting prayer and support for this event D.V.