Last Lord’s Day morning we were treated to a wonderfully instructive message, preached by Rev Gordon Ferguson and based upon the story of Gideon in the book of Judges.

I personally was much blessed by the message, so much so that I would like to return to those chapters in Judges.

There is an inexhaustible depth to God’s Word and no preacher could ever bring out all the blessings that are in any passage, never mind one so rich as that which deals with the history of Israel in Gideon’s day.

By returning to this passage I am in no way implying any deficiency in Mr Ferguson’s message or preaching but rather seeking to explore a little the wonderful scenes he brought before us here last week.

The wonderful deliverance wrought by God in the days of Gideon began with a little noticed event.

I. THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL BEGAN WITH THE SENDING OF A PROPHET

“And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, that the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel,” Judges 6:7-8.

He is not named, for his name is unimportant, but his message is recorded.

1. There is always a return to the Bible before there is a move of God amongst His people. The Word of God is the “seed” from which all spiritual life springs. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever,” 1 Peter 1:23. As it was us individually, so it is with us collectively. “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” John 6:63. “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth,” James 1:18. “Quicken thou me according to thy word,” Psalm 119:25.

Revival blessing will always be ‘according’ to His word. The Bible holds the key, not man’s notions of religious success and inventions to supposedly stir up interest in the things of God.

2. The message of the prophet is timeless. A reminding of past mercies, of past instructions, present disobedience! It will thus be ever so! It is the old message calling us to the ‘old paths’! “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein,” Jer 6:16.

3. That message is what generated the attitude and actions of Gideon. He treasured the fruit of Israel, hiding it from the enemy. He had listened to the prophet, vv 8, 13. He is echoing the prophet. He was looking for a further display of the great power which had delivered Israel in the past. Here is where the expectation of revival comes from.