Answers to April 3 Questions

Who descended on Israel like a swarm of locusts? The Midianites

What did Israel do? Cry out to God

What was God’s response? He sent a prophet and explained why they were suffering

On whom did God call to save Israel? Gideon

Where was he when God called him? Threshing grain in the winepress to hide from the Midianites

How did he react when God said that He was with him? How can the Lord be with us since we are in so much trouble; what about all the good things He did for Israel in the past? He has left us to be oppressed by the Midianites

What did God command Gideon to do as a first step in building his courage? Tear down his father’s altar of Baal by using the second oldest bull in the herd; also tear down the Ashteroth pole and use it to burn the bull as a sacrifice on a new altar he is to make

What wise thing did his father say to those who were upset with Gideon? If Baal has any power, he can defend himself and his altar; anyone who fights for Baal would be put to death

What sign did Gideon request from God that Israel would win the battle? For there to be dew only on a fleece and dry everywhere else the next morning; on the next day, he wanted to see dew everywhere but the fleece be dry. This was actually a scientific approach

Why did God say that Gideon had too many soldiers? God would not get the glory for the victory; they may take it upon themselves

How did he reduce the number the first time? He let whoever was too afraid to fight to go home

How did he reduce the number of men the second time? The test was the manner in which they drank from the water source. Most drank by getting on their knees, putting their mouths down to the water to drink as most animals do. That is not a wise position to be in when you are in a battle zone! A minority drank by bringing water up to their mouths with their hand. It is not as efficient method of getting a drink, but these soldiers are more watchful.

How many men remained? 300

What did Gideon hear in the camp that encouraged him? He overheard two men talking about a dream one of them had and the other one explaining that the meaning of it is the victory of Gideon over all his enemies

What weapons did the Israelites use to attack the enemy? Trumpets and lanterns

Why were some from Ephraim upset with Gideon? Because they were not called to fight with him

When Gideon requested food for his army, how did Succoth and Penuel react? With skepticism; they didn’t feel safe in helping if the kings weren’t already defeated and captured

Why did Jether not want to kill the two kings who killed his uncle? He was still very young

What did Israel want to do with Gideon after his victory? Make him a king

How did Gideon respond to Israel? He said neither he nor his son would rule over them; only the Lord rule over them

What did Gideon make? An ephod of gold

Who started a rebellion at Shechem? Abimelech, son of Gideon

Who escaped from being killed? Jotham

What parable did he give as a curse upon Shechem and Abimelech? How the trees wanted a king for themselves, but the noble olive, fig, and grapevine refused to be king; the no-good thornbush threatened to burn all the trees if they didn’t make him king; this applied to the foolish way in which they followed the evil Abimelech who killed all of Gideon’s son except him; fire from Abimelech would eventually consume them, and fire from them would consume Abimelech

Who turned Shechem against Abimelech? God sent an evil spirit; Gaal was the individual who moved in and rejected Abimilech

Who mortally wounded Abimelech? A woman by dropping a millstone on his head