Judges 2–4; Judges 6–8: Lesson 66
Judges 6–8
“Surely I Will Be with Thee”
Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.
After the Israelites prayed for deliverance, the Lord called Gideon to deliver them from their enemies. The Lord demonstrated His strength by helping the Israelites defeat an army. This lesson may help you feel a greater desire to rely on Jesus Christ for strength.
Study the Scriptures
Who are some people you would consider to be “strong”? Think of different ways a person can be strong?
In your notebook, draw a stick figure holding weights in each hand, like the one below. You will build on this drawing throughout the lesson.
One type of strength you might not think of is a person’s ability to rely on the Lord. As you study about Gideon today, pray for Heavenly Father to help you feel the importance of relying on the Lord for strength in your life.
Judges 6 describes another instance when the Israelites forgot the Lord and lost His blessings. For seven years the Midianites plundered the Israelites’ grain and animals during the seasons of harvest. As a result, the Israelites suffered poverty. In desperation, they turned to the Lord for help. After the Israelites humbled themselves and cried for help, God raised up a righteous man named Gideon to deliver them.
Read Judges 6:14–16, 23–27. Mark promises the Lord made to strengthen Gideon.
After reading verse 25, you might create a note and copy the following information. Ponder how these things help you learn about the Savior:
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The altar was a symbol of sacrifice.
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Baal was a false idol worshipped by the Israelites.
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Groves were a place to worship false gods.
Gideon became the leader of an army of 32,000 Israelites (see Judges 7:3). The Midianites had an army of 135,000 people (see Judges 8:10). Even though the Midianites outnumbered the Israelites, the Lord wanted Gideon to reduce the size of his army.
Read Judges 7:2–7. Look for the Lord’s instructions and why He wanted to reduce Gideon’s army. Note: the word vaunt means to excessively boast.
In your notebook, respond to the following question:
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What might these instructions have taught you about the Lord?
The Lord had promised Gideon that the 300-man army would defeat the Midianites (see Judges 7:7).
Read Judges 7:16–21 to discover how the Lord fulfilled this promise.
Write Gideon’s name beneath your drawing from the beginning of this lesson. Next to your drawing, write two or more Christlike characteristics or attributes you feel Gideon showed.
Review the following study options. Complete one or more.
Option A
How can we rely on the Lord today?
Some challenges we experience may stretch and test our ability to rely on the Lord.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles declared:
In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives and in this great latter-day work, God requires us to do our best, to trust in Him, to be anxiously engaged and act and not simply wait to be acted upon. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, we can walk with confidence that God will guide our steps. (“Elder Bednar Teaches 5 Lessons on the Spirit of Revelation, How It Operates in the Work of the Lord,” Church News, July 10, 2018, thechurchnews.com)
Imagine a friend messaged you about a recent tragedy in her family. She shared that she has tried to cope with the grief but feels overwhelmed. Her last message to you said, “I don’t think I’m strong enough for this.”
In your notebook, prepare a response you could send to her. Include at least two of the following ideas in your response:
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How the example of Gideon can help
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Something from Elder Bednar’s statement that might help
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What you know about the Lord that helps you rely on Him
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Experiences you have had when you have felt the Lord strengthen you beyond your own abilities
Option B
What happens when we choose to rely on our own strength?
Shortly after Gideon’s success, the Israelites again fell into sin and wickedness (see Judges 8). Eventually the Lord chose another man to deliver Israel. Samson was known for his God-given strength. However, while he sometimes used his gift of strength properly, his life ended in tragedy because he ultimately relied on his own strength and power rather than the Lord’s.
Read two or more of the following passages, looking for Samson’s characteristics and priorities. Pay special attention to characteristics and priorities that may have caused him to rely on his own strength rather than the Lord’s:
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Judges 15:4–7 (how Samson responded when his father-in-law gave his wife to another man)
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Judges 16:1 (what Samson did after receiving mercy from the Lord)
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Judges 16:28 (what Samson wanted after being punished by the Philistines)
Next to your drawing of Gideon, draw another figure to represent Samson. You might include Samson’s long hair (see Judges 16:28). Next to Samson, write two or more characteristics you found that may have led him to rely on his own strength rather than the Lord’s. Beneath your drawing, respond to one of the following questions:
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What can we learn from Samson’s experiences in comparison to Gideon’s?
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What Christlike attributes did you admire most in Gideon?
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What have you learned about relying on the Lord while also using your own strength to the best of your ability?
Share Your Thoughts
Lesson Purpose: To help you feel a greater desire to rely on Jesus Christ for strength.
Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:
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Your response to your friend.
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Your drawing of Samson and Gideon, including what their examples taught you about relying on the Lord.
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Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.
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Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?