Judges 6-8
Do you ever like a contradiction? God tells you to be strong and courageous, but you know deep down that you’re not.
Gideon was just that sort. We find him cowering from the enemies of Judah, doing his farm work inside a winepress so as not to be seen by the Midianites. How does God turn this fearful farmer into a mighty warrior? Here, as best as I can tell, is God’s to do list:
- God promises to be there. Echoing Jesus’ theme, “Apart from me, you can do nothing,” the Lord’s first words to Gideon are, “The Lord is with you.” (6:12)
- God calls him, “mighty man of valor.” How strange! As yet, he is nothing close to a “mighty man of valor;” but that doesn’t keep God from naming Gideon what He expects him to be! (6:12)
- God gives him signs. In His first sign God receives Gideon’s offering by apparent spontaneous combustion (6:21), and continues, patiently, to give him sign upon sign, as Gideon lays out fleece after fleece (6:36-40).
- God removes his crutches. In the famous “paring down” of Gideon’s fighting force to a mere 300, God is teaching Gideon to rely on Him, rather than on his fighting force. (7:2-8)
- God gives him confirmation. “If you’re still afraid,” God says, “take your servant and go down to the enemy camp!” There Gideon overhears a soldier recount a dream that portends victory for Gideon (7:13-14).
Gideon grows stronger and braver throughout the account, demonstrating a growing zeal for the Lord. By the end, we know that God found the right man, when, after the battle was won, Gideon rejects all efforts to make him king with these incredible words: I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you! (8:23)
Until tomorrow,
Pastor Gary
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