A call to arms

Judges 6:34

The rumours had already started, for the 8th year in a row the Midianites were on their way to take the Isrealite harvest (and anything else they liked the look of!). Where once panic and fear would have spread through out the land of Ophrah, now there was something else.

The "baal fighter" was on their side!

Sure, they had no real army or supply of weapons, but this guy was special, even baal couldn't touch him! Maybe the older Isrealites would be comparing him to Deborah.

This was exciting!

'Then the spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon'

The RSV translation can be quite misleading, it says . . .

'The spirit...took possession', suggesting some kind of violent encounter, like with Samson [Judg. 14:6] or with Saul [1 Sam. 11:6].

However, the Hebrew seems to suggest that it's more like 'God's spirit put on Gideon's personality like a garment'.

This is NOT Gideon being clothed with God, but God clothing Himself with Gideon.

Only 2 other biblical characters recieved this unusual description . . .

AMASAI [1 Chron. 12:18]_one of David's generals.

ZECHARIAH [2 Chron. 24:20]_who was THE most unfortunate prophet. After just one message of judgement, he was stoned to death!

Now, as I have already told you, Ophrah didn't have an official army, so Gideon would have to issue a call to arms.

But where to start?

Who would he call?

Love you X