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 assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.