Gideon.......God Uses the Meak
So my study group has been studying Gideon, by Priscilla Shirer. I was not quite sure what to expect, as she said, he (Gideon) takes up only 3 chapters of one book in 66 books. :) This story, although I had not studied much before, has been chalked full of learning opportunities.
Take for instance, that when we meet Gideon in Judges Ch 6, the angel of the LORD has found Gideon, hiding from the Midianites. Now first, it is widely accepted that when the term, "angel of the LORD" is used, that this is referring to the theophany of the LORD, a preincarnate manifestation of Christ. So Gideon is in a winepress, thrashing wheat, doing his chores for his clan and along comes the preincarnate of Christ, God himself to talk to him. That would be quite something, don't ya think? :) Even more interesting is that Gideon was not just in the winepress, he was hiding out. You see, the Midianites, a near by tribe had taken dominion over Mannasseh, the tribe that Gideon was from and for 7 years, the Midianites had pummeled Mannasseh and taken their food, including crops, ie, freshly thrashed wheat. So although a winepress was not the ideal atmosphere or accommodations to thresh the wheat, Gideon could do his job, and hide from the Midianites. So while he was hiding out, the Lord, came for a visit.
God surprised Gideon to tell him that he, the meek little man who was in hiding in a winepress is going to save Israel from their oppressor. God even goes as far as to call Gideon a "mighty warrior" right off the bat. (v 12) You see, God knows our heart, our character, our inside, not just our outside. The key is do we believe what God sees? You gotta love Gideon's reply. He asks God, "But Lord how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." (v 15) You can see, he has full confidence in himself and God, right? Haven't we all been there?
You can read the full story of Gideon in Judges chs 6-8, but I want to draw your attention to what is said about him in what is known as the "Hall of Fame" in Heb 11. Along with great company like Samson, David, Samuel and others, it is said, they "who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." Not too bad to be included in that summary, huh? Especially for a meek little man who was hiding out in a winepress, whose first response to God's calling was to question how he could possibly do what God was asking him to do. Yet in the end, he is in the biblical Hall of Fame. That ought to give you some hope, doesn't it? It does me?
Lord if I may pray for all who read this......give us faith through which we can accomplish all that you desire for us. Allow us to see our weakness as an opportunity to allow you to step in and lift us up. May we be inspired by those who have gone before us and may we open our hearts for ALL of you, so that we may glorify you in all that we do. In the name of our blessed Savior we pray, Amen.
Take for instance, that when we meet Gideon in Judges Ch 6, the angel of the LORD has found Gideon, hiding from the Midianites. Now first, it is widely accepted that when the term, "angel of the LORD" is used, that this is referring to the theophany of the LORD, a preincarnate manifestation of Christ. So Gideon is in a winepress, thrashing wheat, doing his chores for his clan and along comes the preincarnate of Christ, God himself to talk to him. That would be quite something, don't ya think? :) Even more interesting is that Gideon was not just in the winepress, he was hiding out. You see, the Midianites, a near by tribe had taken dominion over Mannasseh, the tribe that Gideon was from and for 7 years, the Midianites had pummeled Mannasseh and taken their food, including crops, ie, freshly thrashed wheat. So although a winepress was not the ideal atmosphere or accommodations to thresh the wheat, Gideon could do his job, and hide from the Midianites. So while he was hiding out, the Lord, came for a visit.
God surprised Gideon to tell him that he, the meek little man who was in hiding in a winepress is going to save Israel from their oppressor. God even goes as far as to call Gideon a "mighty warrior" right off the bat. (v 12) You see, God knows our heart, our character, our inside, not just our outside. The key is do we believe what God sees? You gotta love Gideon's reply. He asks God, "But Lord how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family." (v 15) You can see, he has full confidence in himself and God, right? Haven't we all been there?
You can read the full story of Gideon in Judges chs 6-8, but I want to draw your attention to what is said about him in what is known as the "Hall of Fame" in Heb 11. Along with great company like Samson, David, Samuel and others, it is said, they "who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies." Not too bad to be included in that summary, huh? Especially for a meek little man who was hiding out in a winepress, whose first response to God's calling was to question how he could possibly do what God was asking him to do. Yet in the end, he is in the biblical Hall of Fame. That ought to give you some hope, doesn't it? It does me?
Lord if I may pray for all who read this......give us faith through which we can accomplish all that you desire for us. Allow us to see our weakness as an opportunity to allow you to step in and lift us up. May we be inspired by those who have gone before us and may we open our hearts for ALL of you, so that we may glorify you in all that we do. In the name of our blessed Savior we pray, Amen.
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