[This is my fourth post of eight in my “Vintage Wednesday” series on “The Great Initiator,” re-written/updated from a blogpost back in April of 2011.]
Gideon is cowering in a winepress, beating out his wheat; it's the last place the Midianites will look for a guy trying to survive. Suddenly a messenger from God appears and refers to Gideon as a mighty warrior. It's an identity he's never assumed nor believes. Gideon attempts to sidestep his calling but ultimately ends up becoming general of a small army. God initiates, Gideon responds, and a simple act of obedience rescues an entire nation from the oppressive Midianites.
Again, super cool story of a guy who went from passivity to greatness. Notice the following key points:
- We are made in God's image (Exodus 15:3 refers to God as a Warrior) to accomplish great things. God loves to give us a new identity based on what He does through us (Judges 6:12…see also Revelation 2:17 & 3:12)
- We should utilize the strength we have (Judges 6:14-16). God has equipped us and acts on our behalf when we step out in faith believing that He is WITH us.
- God loves to reveal Himself and affirm us. Gideon asks God for three signs (Judges 6:17-23, 6:36-38, & 6:39-40) and God one-ups him with one more (7:9-15) for good measure.
- We are limited more by what we have than by what we don't have (Judges 7:1-7 teaches us this great irony—what we really need is an unlimited supply of resources provided by the Great Initiator!).
- Worship precedes victory. In Judges 7:15-22 we see a unique battle strategy involving worship—the Shema(Deuteronomy 6:4) was usually accompanied by the blowing of trumpets—and faith (standing still while holding a small light) that led to a great victory over the enemy.
God is the Great Initiator and Gideon becomes a hero among men. Unfortunately, this story also leaves us with a stark warning. If the hero takes one iota of glory for what God has done through him, his legacy can easily be destroyed (see Judges 8:22-27 & Judges 9).
