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SIGNS OF FRICTION

Text: Judges 8:1-21
11 July 2011

SIGNS OF FRICTION

1. The anger of the tribe of Ephraim Judges 8:1-3

a) Anger was real enough

i) Gideon was accused of not informing and inviting them to fight the Midianites

ii) In reality, Gideon did send out messengers to ask Ephraim to join them in battling the Midianites Judges 7:24-25

b) Beneath the anger was “hostility” towards Gideon and his leadership

c) Gideon was from the tribe of Manasseh (Cf. Joshua 17:2)

2. Appeasing of the anger of Ephraim

a) Gideon downplays the significance of his battle against the Midianites

b) He diplomatically honours Ephraim for their greater achievements Judges 7:24-25

3. Gideon was still in pursuit of the Midianites Judges 8:4
The last thing he wanted to do was to be caught in a conflict between Ephraim and Manasseh

OTHER SIGNS OF PROBLEMS

1. Asking for help from Succoth Judges 8:4-7

a) Succoth had ancient historical roots
Jacob lived there for a while Genesis 33:17

b) Because Gideon and his men needed support and supplies

c) They were in hot pursuit of 2 Midianite kings (Zebah and Zalmunna)

d) Succoth refused to help

e) Gideon’s threat of punishing Succoth

2. Asking for help from Penuel (also Peniel) Judges 8:8-9

a) Penuel also had deep historical roots
It was the place where Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God (Genesis 32:30)

b) Penuel also rebuffed Gideon in the same manner as Succoth

c) Threat of Gideon to punish Penuel after capturing the Midianite kings

BATTLE WITH THE 2 MIDIANITE KINGS
Judges 8:10-21

1. Army of the Midianites

a) Original size 120,000 troops

b) Reduced size 15,000 troops (defeated by Gideon)

2. Army of Gideon

a) Original size 300 men

b) Present size 300 men (none were killed)

3. Attack launched against the Midianites

a) The Midianite army was defeated again

b) Zebah and Zalmunna were captured

4. Punishment of Succoth and Penuel

a) Punishment meted out against the elders of the city Judges 8:15-16

b) Tower of Penuel torn down Judges 8:17

5. Execution of the 2 Midianite kings
Gideon personally executed them Judges 8:21