If you have the option to read through Judges 6 and 7 (it’s short, don’t worry), it will make the rest more enjoyable.
Let’s set the scene: the Midianites had been oppressing Israel because they did evil in the sight of the LORD. Whatever the Israelites had, the Midianites and their neighbors, took from them so they had nothing: crops, sheep, cattle, donkeys, everything. Israel cried out to the LORD and He sent a judge to throw off the yoke of the Midianites—Gideon was that judge.
But Gideon didn’t feel he was equipped or prepared to do what God asked. Sound familiar? How often have we asked ourselves, “What can I do for the Lord?” Or maybe, “Surely, God doesn’t want me to do this.” And my personal favorite, “I am not qualified…”
Gideon’s view of himself: “My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” (Jud 6:15; NIV).
God’s view of Gideon: Mighty warrior (Jud 6:12; NIV); mighty man of valor (ESV); valiant warrior (NASB); valiant hero (CJB); etc.
How can Gideon possibly be a mighty man? The angel of the LORD had told him, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” (Jud 6:12; NIV). Also, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Jud 6:14; NIV). And, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” (Jud 6:16; NIV).
Isn’t that amazing?
Then Gideon, still not believing, asks, “Give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.” (Jud 6:17; NIV).
A sign? Really, Gideon? Didn’t the LORD just tell you that he was with you? But isn’t that us? Is God really with us? We’re having a rough day at work, or our company is downsizing and we’re on the cut, or we receive some terminal health news, or whatever life throws at us. Even though Jesus tells us that He is with us till the end of the age, we still have some doubt, don’t we?
Like Gideon, God humors us and does something significant in our lives so we know He’s there. It could be a Red Sea miracle or something small that only we would understand, but He encourages us with it.
Then the LORD instructs Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal. Gideon was afraid of his family and the men of the town, so he did it at night! Just before this Gideon was afraid he was going to die because he had seen the angel of the LORD face to face. God had reassured he wouldn’t die, but then he’s afraid of the townspeople!
There’s a question here for us: whom are we more afraid of? God or man? Don’t be upset at the point, we all fail on this one!
Note that everyone in town wanted to kill Gideon, but I think God used Gidoen’s father to point out that Baal needs to take care of the situation, not the people. Consequently, nothing happened to Gideon.
All of this is just a small demonstration of what God was going to do—doesn’t He do that for us? He gives us something small, encourages us with miracles and signs, and when we comply, even in fear, He blesses our obedience.
“If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”
Gideon (Judges 6:36-37; NIV)
At this point in the narrative, all the Midianites and their neighbors were getting ready to assault Israel. The time had come for Gideon to lead Israel against their enemies! Gideon turns to God and says, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” (Jud 6:36-37; NIV).
In the morning it was just as Gideon had asked God. The Bible is silent on this, but I’m pretty sure Gideon was trying to rationalize in his mind what could have happened, because he knew there was no way that God really wanted him to lead Israel!
Maybe to get out of it still, Gideon asks for the exact opposite, the fleece to be dry and the ground covered in dew. And God patiently complies with his request.
We all chuckle at Gideon’s “fleecing” the Lord, but have we ever considered his lesson? God has told us, over and over, and yet we still doubt His provisions for us, right? I know I do.
Gideon finally goes. Then God tells him he has too many soldiers! Through a few steps, they narrow down the number of fighting men to 300! Against the armies of the Midianites, Amalekites, and other peoples! Here, I’m choking a little for Gideon.
However, at this point, Gideon seems to have embraced the LORD’s commands, as there is no more “fleecing” God to make sure He is with him.
There’s a lesson in that for us as well—Gideon’s faith had grown and he believed God because of the things he’s seen. As we walk with Christ, we will see miracles and our faith deepens also. And sometimes, we have to make the conscious decision to trust Him, even though we know (maybe pretty sure?) that the situation cannot work out! And when it does work out, praise God!
Then Gideon, by the grace and power of God, defeats the Midianites and their allies! For Gideon, it would have been a wondrous and glorious event. For God, it was an opportunity to show Himself strong on behalf of someone who was weak and the least of his family.
The takeaway here: we are the same as Gideon. It’s a good thing our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means He’ll be patient with us, He’ll help us, He’ll encourage and strengthen us, and He’ll always be there when He has asked us to step out in faith, even when we question Him.
Trust in Jesus, our Savior, and “just stand up.”