A few years ago I wrote something about Gideon. Today, I was reminded of his story again.
Gideon’s story is one of my favourites, partly because I can relate to bits of it. I mean, not the circumstances, but some of his actions and responses.
His story is in Judges 6-8. The Israelites had started breaking the commandments that God had given them, and neighbouring countries were attacking them. There were 12 tribes of Israel, and there was a slight hierarchy. The tribe that was at the bottom of the pecking order was Manasseh. The Israelites called out to God to save them.
The person God chooses to use in order to answer this prayer is Gideon. He is the youngest son of a family from Manasseh. He is the least important person from a family in the least important clan. When we first meet him, he is threshing wheat in a pit. Threshing is the act of separating the edible part of the wheat by tossing handfuls in the air and allowing the wind to low away the lighter, inedible parts. So Gideon was doing this in a pit. Because pits are known for their strong wind…
Gideon is hiding in the pit because he is scared. And yet, when the angel of the Lord greets him, he calls him “mighty warrior”. Hiding in a hole.
Gideon doesn’t value himself and questions the angel, but the angel reassures him that God is with him. Gideon asks for proof, which the angel provides. Gideon is then sent away to tear down an altar to another god. Which this brave warrior does. At night so no one will see him.
Then God tells him to gather soldiers and fight the invaders. But Gideon wants proof and lays out a fleece. He wants God to make the fleece wet and the ground dry. Done. But that’s not enough, now Gideon wants a dry fleece and wet ground. God again comes through. Then there’s a funny bit of the story where God wittles down Gideons army until logically they stand no chance so victory can only be by God’s hand.
And Gideons army does win. Because of God. It’s an astounding victory.
Now I’ve sold Gideon a little short. He was understandably terrified. And he did ask for proof. But he was also obedient. God could still use this terrified, lowly person who needed constant reassurance. Because Gideon said yes. What can God use us for if we are only willing to say yes?
And are there times we need a fleece moment to be sure? Is that OK, to ask for reassurance? I don’t have an answer to that. But I do take heart from the fact that God chooses to use Gideon, despite Gideon’s obstacles. I do find reassurance in the fact that God doesn’t give up on Gideon. And I take courage from the fact that God sees Gideon for who he really is, not what the circumstances have made him into. Gideon is a mighty warrior, and God can see that even when he’s not behaving like one. I wonder who you really are?
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