Just a Barley Loaf!
The sermon emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's power and ways, rather than relying on human endeavour, to accomplish victory.
In this sermon, Marvin Vincent and other biblical scholars delve into the meaning of the Greek word 'bdelusso', which signifies a strong detestation for something abominable. The verb 'bdelusso' is used to depict turning away from a stench in disgust, especially in a moral or religious sense. The Jews, who had a history of idolatry, developed a strong abhorrence for idols, even Roman coins with images of emperors claiming to be gods. The sermon also explores the concept of idols, which are anything that takes precedence over the True God, including material possessions and desires.
Text
If God's people could only recognize that God can only multiply the very little we have when placed unreservedly in His hands! And that it is in the "breaking" of the loaf that the Word of God is multiplied, not in the printing of more Bibles! That it was just a "barley loaf" that tumbled down the slopes and smote the armies of Midian that were in number as "the sand that is upon the seashore for multitude." Just a barley loaf! But in the hands of Gideon it became the Sword of the Lord and of Gideon!
There are not to be two swords: one out of the mouth of the Lord, and the other out of the mouths of His apostles and prophets and teachers. There is one sword, and it is His. Our quotation of Scripture and our knowledge of the Bible and our understanding of Truth is not the Sword of the Lord. The Sword of the Lord is that Word which proceedeth only out of His mouth... and out of ours as we lend it to Him. It was not in mobilizing the armies of Israel that the enslaved nation would find victory, but it would be in "demobilizing."
First, twenty-two thousand had to be demobilized and sent home. The rest were brave and anxious for battle... but they did not know God's ways; and Gideon was admonished to demobilize still further. Another nine thousand seven hundred had to lay down their armor and uniform and go home. God would accomplish this victory by His own Sword--and the Sword would be in the hands of Gideon and three hundred men--likened in their insignificance and weakness to a mere "barley loaf." Can we identify?
Or at least, do we wish to identify? Or will we continue on into the darkness of the night to feverishly mobilize the forces of the Church to wage a losing battle against the enemies of God with the very "practical" but very futile resources of our own human endeavour?
Sermon Outline
- The Multiplication of the Barley Loaf
- The Power of the Sword of the Lord
- Demobilizing to Mobilize God's Victory
- Demobilizing the armies of Israel to trust in God's ways
- Gideon and 300 men, like a barley loaf, accomplished the victory with God's Sword
Key Quotes
“Just a barley loaf!” — George Warnock
“It was not in mobilizing the armies of Israel that the enslaved nation would find victory, but it would be in 'demobilizing'.” — George Warnock
“Can we identify? Or at least, do we wish to identify?” — George Warnock
Application Points
- We must learn to trust in God's power and ways, rather than relying on our own human endeavour.
- Demobilizing our own efforts and trusting in God's ways can lead to greater victory.
- Our knowledge of the Bible is not enough; we must also trust in the Word that proceeds only out of God's mouth.