As at the Battle of Midian

Dear Church Family,

The overarching theme of our current sermon series is the glorious blessings and promises which are foretold in Isaiah and realized in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in Isaiah 9:1-7). This coming Sunday, we will be looking at how Isaiah describes the coming of the Messiah as being akin to the battle of Midian (Isaiah 9:4-5):

⁴ For You shall break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders, The rod of their oppressor, as at the battle of Midian.

⁵ For every boot of the booted warrior in the battle tumult, And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

I know it’s the holiday season and therefore schools are soon letting out for the holiday break; however, I have a little bit of suggested homework in preparation for our sermon this coming Sunday, December 21, 2025. Take a few moments this week to read and review the story of how the Lord raised up Gideon in order to lead the people of Israel to defeat the Midianites in Judges 6-8.

And, as you’re reading, pay close attention to three things: (1) the details and decisive manner by which Gideon and his men defeated the Midianites (Judges 7:1-22); (2) the very different ways in which Gideon’s fellow Israelites responded to his requests for help in pursuing the routed kings of Midian (Judges 7:23-8:12); and (3) the way in which Gideon dealt with his fellow Israelites after the Midianite kings had been captured, and then how he treated those captured Midianite kings (Judges 8:13-21).

That’s it. Just read those chapters from the book of Judges, chapters 6-8, and familiarize (or re-familiarize) yourself with the story of Gideon, especially how Gideon fought and defeated the Midianites. For, you see, if we understand what the Lord did through Gideon, it will help us to better understand the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, a victory which Isaiah says will be “as at the battle of Midian” (Isaiah 9:4).

The Lord be with you!

- Pastor Peter M. Dietsch