THE FIRST-BORN SECOND-RATE SON OF GIDEON TEXT: JUDG 8:20-21 I. SAVAGE SENSE- 8:21 …FOR AS THE MAN IS, SO IS HIS STRENGTH… A. Physical B. Intellectual C. Morally D. Spiritually II. SUSPENSION OF SUBMISSION- 8:20 …BUT THE YOUTH DREW NOT HIS SWORD… III. SUPREMACY OF STUPIDITY- 8:20 …FOR HE FEARED, BECAUSE HE WAS YET A YOUTH.

1. The First-Born Second-Rate
Son of Gideon
Text: Judg 8:20-21
Timeline:
6:8-10 Prophet preaches don’t fear gods,
Obey the LORD God.
6:25 destroyed alter of Baal
6:33 evil coalition of 3 (the Midianites, the
Amalekites, and the children of the east)
6:37-40 fleece
7:1-7 32,000 to 300
7:10-15 dream of barley bread
7:16-22 trumpets, pitchers, lamps
7:23 Reserves come to fight
7:25 Oreb and Zeeb killed

2. 8:1-3 Emotional Ephraim felt left out
8:4 G. & 300 over Jordan after Zebah and
Zalmunna
8:5 Succoth no help
8:7 tear flesh with thorns (8:16)
8:8 Penuel no help
8:9 break down tower (8:17)
8:10 Z&Z with 15k @ Karkor
8:11 G surprise attack
8:12 Z&Z fled, captured by G
Judg 8:20-21
20) And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up,
and slay them. But the youth drew not his
sword: for he feared, because he was yet a
youth.
21) Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou,
and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his
strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah

3. and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments
that were on their camels' necks.
I. Savage Sense- 8:21
…for as the man is, so is his strength…
consider the source
A. Physical
if he means physical his reasoning is faulty:
David killed Goliath
Gideon defeated 32,000 with 300
Strength tends to decline with age, not increase.
B. Intellectual
It is not the soldier that kills, the sword does.
“knowledge is power” Z&Z are fresh out of
both why would we care what they think.

4. C. Morally
Character is crafted in conflict not the comfort
of the couch.
Z&Z need a better stall tactic.
D. Spiritually
Scripture is the dictator not the intellect or
ability of the crucified ‘old man’.
This should have been the end of the story, for
Z&Z but some how they have intimidated
Jether.
II. Suspension of Submission- 8:20
…But the youth drew not his sword…
He had a sword, and he brought his sword.

5. He enjoyed the sword as a decoration.
He had no confidence in his weapon.
Sin cannot be tolerated or reasoned with.
III. Supremacy of Stupidity- 8:20
…for he feared, because he was yet a youth.
Honor lost because of disobedience. (this man is
not mentioned again in the Bible)
Ps 149:9 To execute upon them the
judgment written: this honour have all his
saints. Praise ye the LORD.
His reluctance was “fear” in himself (his youth)
not Pity for Z&Z.
1Tim 4:12
12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou
an example of the believers, in word, in

6. conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in
purity.
The strength needed was not in bone or brain,
but the blade.
Luke 9:23
23) And he said to them all, If any man will
come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross daily, and follow me.
Conclusion:
Fear and Fearlessness is essential to conquer the
Z&Z of this present evil world.
Prov 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth
to life: and he that hath it shall abide
satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

7. Prov 23:17 Let not thine heart envy
sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD
all the day long.
Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of
the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of
man.
Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
receive glory and honour and power: for
thou hast created all things, and for thy
pleasure they are and were created.
THE FIRST-BORN SECOND-RATE SON OF GIDEON
TEXT: JUDG 8:20-21
I. SAVAGE SENSE- 8:21
…FOR AS THEMAN IS,SO IS HIS STRENGTH…
A. Physical
B. Intellectual
C. Morally
D. Spiritually
II. SUSPENSION OF SUBMISSION- 8:20
…BUT THEYOUTH DREW NOTHIS SWORD…
III. SUPREMACY OF STUPIDITY- 8:20
…FOR HE FEARED,BECAUSE HE WAS YETA YOUTH.
CONCLUSION: