Gideon: God Calls the Things That “Aren’t”

If there was ever a superlative for least likely to be a warrior, Gideon would have won it. When you hear about Gideon in the Bible, you mostly hear that he was a famous judge and a mighty warrior in Israel. But his beginnings were far from it.

Gideon was born into a very poor family in the tribe of Manasseh. They were the weakest tribe and he was the youngest in his family. The nation of Israel was living in the promised land, but they had not fully obeyed God. They had allowed the worship of pagan gods to infiltrate their community and culture. So because of their disobedience, God allowed for them to be attacked by the neighboring Midianites. After seven years of oppression, the people cried out to God asking for deliverance, and he answered them. His answer was to raise up a warrior to deliver his people.

Gideon’s Call

Let’s set the scene- the Midianites are wreaking havoc on the Israelites’ land and people. So much so, that we find Gideon threshing wheat while hiding in a wine press. He’s terrified! While he is hiding, an angel from the Lord appears to him and says “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 Mighty Warrior??? This guy is shaking in his boots. He’s no warrior!

Gideon replies to the angel by asking where has God been in all of this devastation? Had God delivered them from Egypt only to abandon them? The Angel replies to him and says for him to “go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

This is where I so appreciate Gideon’s realness, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in the family” Judges 6:15. Then the Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down the Midianites, leaving none alive” Judges 6:16. Gideon goes on to ask God for a sign that he is really talking to him. So, he prepares unleavened bread and meat as an offering. Then the angel instructed him to pour broth on it. The angel touched it with a stick and fire from the Lord consumed it. Need any more proof?

Time for Action

God then instructed Gideon to tear down the Asherah poles his father had put up. (These were worshipping false gods). He did it, but cowardly, and at night time for fear of what others would think. The town was in uproar over this and the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern people joined together to fight against Israel. God had prepared Gideon for this moment, and told him that he would be with him. But, Gideon once again needs proof.

He asks two more times for God to prove it. Once, by telling God he would place a wool fleece on the ground overnight. If there is only dew on the fleece, but the ground is dry in the morning, he would know God was with him. God, in his mercy, showed Gideon he was with him by doing that very thing. Gideon was still unsure of himself and not fully trusting God, so he asked for another sign. He would repeat the process, but asked God to make the fleece dry and the ground be wet with dew in the morning. God shows tremendous patience with Gideon as he does the very thing Gideon asked for again.

God whittles down Gideon’s army from 32,000 men to 300. They didn’t even have to fight the battle. God instructed them to blow trumpets and break jars encircling the camp of the Midianites. As they did, it threw the enemy encamped in the valley below into utter confusion. They ran into each other with their own swords. The Israelites gained the victory, but God gained the glory.

But I’m NOT

I have had Gideon moments with God in my life. I’ve felt God calling me to something that in my flesh, I was totally unqualified and unequipped for. “But Lord, I’m not __ enough.” Or, “God, that’s the one thing really don’t want to do.” “___ would be so much better than me for that!”

We can play the excuse game with God. We can give him our long list of all the reasons we “are not.” But you know what, if he’s calling you to it, he’s already said you ARE! Did you pick up on that with Gideon? The angel greets him by calling him a mighty warrior when he had not even fought a battle. What’s even more amazing, is that Gideon’s name means, “mighty warrior.” God called the weak, young, scared boy a warrior. When he was far from embodying it. What is God calling you to that you are far from embodying? I can promise you it’s not for your praise.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 reminds us, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that ARE NOT – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” I certainly “am not” but HE IS!! God, himself calls us as though we “are,” before we even do the task he has. Because, he is the one who works through us. He is the one who equips us.

Give God Your “Yes”

God just needs your “yes,” your surrender. A heart of true submission. But he also knows we are “but dust” (Psalm 103:14) and will need reassurance, just as Gideon did. Aren’t you glad God allowed us to see how human Gideon was with all his insecurities? It sure makes me feel right at home. I’m also so thankful to see God’s gracious love and patience with him as he reassures him.

God called Gideon to go against the norm. He asked him to do something so counter culture (by tearing down idols that were worshiped) that it caused an uproar. Gideon knew he was not able to do this in his own strength. His success was because he obeyed God’s call, and God fought the battle. Is God pressing into your heart to step out against the main stream? Is he asking you to lead, when you’ve never considered yourself a leader? Maybe he’s telling you to stand up against the culture, homeschool, quit participating in a certain holiday, lead a small group. You can’t do it in your own strength. But you absolutely can, when you are clothed in HIS.

You may be the weakest, the smallest, the slowest, the least likely to….whatever! But, God says you are his child and has set you apart. If he is calling you to it, he will be faithful to equip you for it. You can be sure of that!