Gideon: God’s Courageous Man

MEMORY SELECTION: “Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you.” —Judges 8:23

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Judges 7:2-8, 20, 21

COURAGE is that quality of character that perseveres even in the face of great danger. In all the lessons of courage that are recorded in the Bible, perhaps none is more widely remembered than the one in connection with Gideon’s encounter with the Midianite hosts.

Gideon had been called by God to deliver his people Israel from the hands of the oppressing Midianites.—Judg. 6:12,16

Next a miraculous demonstration of divine power was witnessed by Gideon as his meat offering and unleavened cakes were consumed by fire at the touch of the angel’s staff. (vss. 17-24) Later he was instructed to destroy the altar of Baal and to build an altar to the Lord in place of it. Those instructions were quickly carried out. (vss. 25-32) When Gideon asked for a sign that God was with him, the fleece which he laid upon the ground at night was wet with dew the following morning, whereas all the ground around it remained dry. The following morning the fleece was dry, while the surrounding ground was wet with dew.—vss. 36-40

In preparation for the encounter against the invading hosts of Midianites—which numbered around 135,000—Gideon’s courage was put to the test. God directed him to give the word to his army that those who were fearful of the impending conflict were free to return to their homes. Over two-thirds of his army left, which reduced the number to 10,000. (ch. 7, vss. 2,3) While Gideon was no doubt anxious concerning the manner in which he had been commissioned to deliver the Israelites from their enemy, God again informed him that the army was yet too large. When the army was finally reduced to a little band of 300, then God manifested his power in a way in which none could doubt that it was by his providential hand that Israel had been delivered, and not by any strategy of man.

The manner in which the defending army was reduced to 300 is an interesting one (vss. 4-8), and one in which there is an important lesson in connection with the Lord’s people. Gideon was to note the manner in which the men drank water. Those who bowed down upon their knees to drink, oblivious to the dangers which surrounded them, would not be fit for that service. Only those who lapped the water from their cupped hands demonstrated the alertness and attention necessary to carry out the task that lay ahead. There were a mere 300 who drank in that manner.

There are two classes of the Lord’s people that could be illustrated in this lesson. All are anxious to drink of the water, which is symbolic of the truth. Most, however, are mainly concerned with drinking for themselves. Others, fewer in number, appropriate the truth and take advantage of its refreshment while alert to the circumstances around them. Therefore they are in a position to rise to active service at the Master’s call.

The 22,000 who through fear left their ranks to return to their homes could represent those who, in the present age, count the cost of sacrifice and are unwilling to give their lives in complete consecration to the Lord.

Gideon’s call to service is not unlike the call that has been extended to the footstep followers of the Lord during the present Gospel Age. The broken pitchers which revealed the lamp each soldier was carrying as they surrounded the Midianite encampment represent those desiring to be broken with their Lord to allow the light of truth to shine forth. The blowing of the trumpets shows the manner in which those who have thus dedicated their lives to the Master’s service proclaim the truth to a darkened world.

The Lord’s people should heed the call, present their bodies a living sacrifice, and be alert to serve the cause of the truth wherever there is opportunity. Letting the light shine forth will inevitably cost them something. However, we must go forward with full assurance of faith in the sustaining power of God remembering that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”—Zech. 4:6

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