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Heroes III
Perhaps you will not think this hero of mine worthy to be called a hero. Even he did not think himself important. When he spoke with the “angel of the Lord,” he said of himself, “… my family is poor in Manasseh, I am the least of my father’s house.” In other words, “I am the least, of the least, of the least.” Not very great credentials for the title “hero.” But as is so often the case, God sees things in people they cannot see for themselves. When this meeting happened, he was threshing wheat in the area by the winepress. Certainly this because he was fearful or he would have done it on the threshing floor. God gave him a dangerous task to perform. It is true he did it in the dark of the night when no one was watching but still, he did it. When enemies came to punish him, it was his father who spoke up in his defense. So he lived to serve another day. When God gave him a next assignment, he asked God for two miracles to prove God would be with him. These were granted. So, Gideon began to gather an army to fight against the Midianites and Amalekites. These were Israel’s enemies. They were also God’s enemies and idolaters. Their army numbered some 135,000. All Gideon could muster was 32,000. That made the odds four to one in the enemies’ favor. God knows the hearts of men and knows we often claim the success instead of giving God the praise. So, God told Gideon to send home anyone who was fearful. Gideon did this and I think he would have gone home himself for I am sure he was fearful, but he was in charge and could not go. When that offer was made 22,000 of Gideon’s army went home and only 10,000 men were left. That now made the odds 16 to 1 in the enemies’ favor. But God was not done pruning Gideon’s army. Another test was given. “Take the men to the stream and watch how they drink. Those who lay down, put their faces to the water and suck up the water, (the easy way to drink) shall go home. Those who knelt or squatted and used their hands to dip up the water (this is an inefficient way to drink), are to stay and become your army.” When this test was over, Gideon was left with only 300 men. Now the odds were 450 to one against Gideon. God was satisfied but I think Gideon was even more afraid. But it becomes more challenging. Gideon is now told to divide his men into three companies, (100 each company) attack at night, and every man was to carry in his hand a trumpet, a torch and a pitcher. I expect the torch could be put over the pitcher, so it could give light to the man’s path. But, there was no hand for the sword. It would be strapped to the man’s side. They surrounded three sides of the sleeping camp, every man smashed his pitcher, blow his trumpet and shouted, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” The sleeping enemy was startled awake in terror. They began to attack each other in fear and 120,000 died without Gideon or his man actually killing any. The rest fled and ultimately, Gideon’s army destroyed the rest. Why is Gideon a hero? Though he was fearful he was obedient. Though he had doubts, he fully trusted God and won a tremendous victory. Gideon is not my hero because he won a great victory. He is my hero because he overcame his doubts and fears. He obeyed God at great cost. He trusted in the Lord with all his heart and did not depend on his own understanding, or his sense of logic. Do I? Do you? I pray so.
Scriptures to Read
Judges 6:1-10
Judges 6:11-23
Judges 6:24-40
Judges 7:1-14
Judges 7:15-22
Judges 6:1-10
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 20:5-9
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