The Days Of Gideon

by J. Renfrew, Teesside | Category: General | Mar 1971

The book of Judges contrasts strangely with the book of Joshua. In the latter, the people of Israel knew victory over their enemies as they took possession of the land; in the former the people experienced defeat by and bondage to the nations surrounding the land. The reason was not hard to find. It was conveyed to them by the word of the LORD in Judges 2:2... "ye have not hearkened unto My voice".

There were times of reviving in the days of the Judges and

one of the most notable victories over numerically superior forces was experienced in the days of Gideon.

In Gideon's younger days the position seemed hopeless from a human point of view, and when the angel of the LORD spoke to him in Ophrah the magnitude of the work of saving Israel from the hand of Midian seemed to overawe him. However, he had to learn that nothing is impossible with God; a lesson which disciples of the Lord must also learn today.

First, he had to assure himself that it was the LORD who spoke to him, and having received the assurance he also proved the LORD twice in the matter of the fleece of wool. Then came the test in regard to the idol in his father's house. That had to go, and it was a stern test, and though Gideon was afraid to throw down the altar of Baal by daytime, he did it by night and kept the commandment of the LORD. By so doing he incurred the wrath of his fellow-citizens but the LORD delivered him. Then in regard to the men of Israel following him-their numbers seemed paltry compared to the hosts of Midian, but they were too many for the fulfilment of the LORD'S purposes, and Gideon had the humiliating experience of seeing practically the whole of the army dispersed save for three hundred chosen men who were going to be used of the LORD. The reason for this is given in Judges 7:2, "Lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me". The glory must be attributed to the LORD, and this is so in the work of God today. The further incident of the Midianite reciting his dream to his fellow and the interpretation put on this must have been of tremendous encouragement to Gideon. How the LORD was leading him on step by step!

When the battle finally began with the hosts of Midian it was just Gideon and those three hundred men with trumpets and empty pitchers, and torches within the pitchers, that were used of the LORD in putting to flight the army of aliens. In Judges 7:21 we read, "They stood every man in his place round about the camp", and when they obeyed the commandment of the LORD a mighty victory followed. Nevertheless, Gideon and his men had to pursue the hosts of Midian to ensure their destruction.

What lesson can we learn from Gideon and his victory? God's power is made perfect in weakness. In 2 Cor. 4:7 Paul writes of the "treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves".

Our testimony as individuals or as churches of God may appear insignificant in the world today, but if we are as empty vessels meet for the Master's use, will not something be achieved for the Lord? Let us pray to this end, and be exercised as to the fulfilment of His will through His people today.

J. Renfrew, Teesside | Mar 1971
General