Its all about attitude

God reducing the army by the first 22'000 was to stop pride and arrogance, but there was also another more tactical reason.

The law spelt it out :

'Then the officers shall add,
"is any man afraid or faint-hearted? let him go home"' [Deut. 20:8]

Everyone knows that good morale is vital in this sort of war scene. Fear and negativity are contagious.

The promised land was hidden from the trekking Isrealites because they chose to believe the negative report from the 10 spies (10 were bad, 2 were good!) [Num. 13:32]

They were beaten without even realizing that they were in a battle.

To some, issues matter more than people.

These people would have been a liability on the battlefield and were better off at home.

Love you X

Weakness in strength

In Judges 7:2 we see one of God's reasons for severely reducing Gideon's numbers. It was to take away Isreal's ability to boast about their great victory over the Midianites.

With so few men, they MUST now recognize that any positive outcome in this battle would be down to God.

This was God attempting to save the Isrealites from their own pride.

However, they soon forgot all about the God who saved them, when in Judges 8:22 they would declare that Gideon had saved them in battle.

Pride has a short memory.

To the Midianites looking on at the 300 men left, they would have laughed and joked about how they'd be back in Midian in time for tea after demolishing this poor excuse for a nation.

But this 'poor excuse' for a nation had a secret weapon on their side . . . the God of the universe!

Love you X

Impossible odds

Then the voice spoke again . . .

"There is STILL too many men!"

So God wasn't happy with the quality of the 10'000 men left with Gideon. The Hebrew translation for this statement is to 'sort them out' the same way that farmers would seperate the wheat from the chaff or goldsmiths seperate pure metal from dross.

This screening process centered around what method Gideon's soldiers drank water from a stream.

If they knelt down and drank they would be sent home, if they scooped water with their hands they could stay.

What sort of mad panic would be rushing through Gideon's mind as he witnessed 9'700 kneel and lap the water?

Gideon's army was now out-numbered 400 - 1.

These were impossible odds [300 against 135'000]

NOW God had some room to work!

Love you X

Too many men?

So, here's Gideon attempting to assess the situation.

Gideon and the 'Isrealite army' were camped on the slopes of mount Gilboa in an area called Harod ['the fountain of trembling']. Across the plain to the north-west on the hill of Moreh was the massive Midianite army.

As he viewed this 'nightmare', with obvious death or capture and torture as the outcome, he hears a voice speak to him. Probably calm at first, so calm that maybe Gideon doesn't hear (or chooses not to listen) and then louder . . . .

"You have too many men"

WHAT? The Midianites outnumbered the Isrealites 4 to 1. How could Gideon possibly have too many men?

God tells Gideon that if any of his troops are scared, they can leave the battlefield and go home.

This sounds crazy!

However, this was a practice commanded from the law of Moses [Deut. 20:8]. But hardly a strategy that Gideon had in mind.

Gideon was feeling down hearted and afraid when he had 32'000 troops. Imagine what he was feeling now 22'000 of those troops had "legged it" back home!

NOW they were out numbered 13 to 1.

Love you x

Shalom seeker

Another interesting point about the 'fleece' incident is this . . . .

The first time Gideon asks that the ground be dry and the fleece still wet. This could have been seen as a normal occurrence, the ground would have probably dried before the fleece.

With the second request we see a truly amazing sight, the ground is wet but the fleece is dry.

Now that IS a sign from God.

In the old testament, dew was considered a sign of provision given [Gen. 27:28] or with held [Gen. 27:39]. Dew was a sign of security, prosperity and salvation. In short, SHALOM.

This was exactly what Gideon was looking for.

Love you x

My wife ROCKS!

It would appear Gideon has become a little addicted to signs from God.

Some people would argue that this sign was very cheeky of Gideon. Not only was he 'testing' God but he also required a double-sign (on his terms!).

When originally reading this portion of the story, I found myself having this out-look on Gideon. However, my wife [Janine], opened my eyes to another possibility.

Another angle to look at this event . . . Gideon was showing belief and faith in God AND in the fact that he could do ANYTHING!

God obliged, probably due to Gideon's faith.

To me, it seemed Gideon was being presumptuous AND lacking in faith of the previous wine press sign. But to Janine, she saw a powerful understanding of who God is and what He is capable of.

Go Janine!

Love you x

Magic [wine press] Moments

Gideon was still worried.

His newly formed army was very large [32'000], but they would still be out-numbered 4 - 1. Their weapons were few and battle knowledge / skill equally low.

Morale was low in the camps of army troops and so too for Gideon.

The miraculous message from the wine press had probably been long forgotten in the harsh light of reality.

Fighting and dying.

Nice!

Gideon needed reassurance.

Gideon needed another wine press moment.

Love you x

Follow the leader

God nurses Gideon forward into usefulness.

The call of Gideon is a process as well as an event, a journey as well as a crisis.

Important steps of development can be seen through Gideon's call to judge / deliverer of Isreal . . .

Gideon's ministry and influence was a gradual thing. He didn't just over night become Super Gideon! The development of faith (Gideon's and ours) is slowley progressive. Gideon didn't go from wine-press coward to nation-saver in one giant leap.

And the same goes for us.

We don't say the 'sinners prayer' on a sunday night and then start our Billy Graham-esq preaching tour on the monday!

This 'call to arms', this battle trumpet is first played to his own family.

Would they respond to the "baal-fighter"?

They did.

So encouraged by his families willingness and support, he took his trumpet "tooting" to the rest of the Manasseh tribe.

They too answered the call. This got Gideon totally buzzing. He went and took his call to the 3 neighbouring tribes [Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali].

These 4 tribes are the ones most hurt by the invading Midianites and would most likely answer Gideon's call.

As blatantly obvious as it sounds, Gideon was a leader because people were willing to follow him and recognized his gift.

He led _ They followed. [in this case into a battle situation where they were heavily out-numbered!]

If someone insists that their calling is in leadership but no one is following them, then they are just walking alone.

Gideon's status as "baal fighter" increased as word - of - mouth (gossip) spread. His popularity grew like a snowball once his family were on board - it made the rest of the Manasseh tribe believe Gideon was from God - once the Manasseh tribe got involved, Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali tribes believed also.

The more people believed and followed Gideon, the more people believed and followed Gideon.

Love you X

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

Jerubbaal

GIDEON'S MISSION: TO BUILD UP AS WELL AS BREAK DOWN_

Gideon's first call was a demolishion job, but we must remember that he also had to BUILD and alter to Yahweh.

Destruction then Construction

Here we see Joash viewing the alter with elements of guilt or shame. The realization that he had turned away from God. With his repentance speech we see Joash taking a step back in the right direction. Stepping closer to the Lord.

Gideon's mission didn't just tear down the lies of paganism, it restored the truth of God.

Joash declared . . . "No longer will my son be named Gideon... He is now Jerubbaal. He has wrestled with baal, now lets see if baal will come after him."

So Gideon as gone from a coward hiding in a wine press, to the famous "baal fighter"
Love you X

Market Place

GIDEON'S MISSION_TO LIVE UP TO HIS NAME:

As an Isrealite, it was Gideon's calling to show others to God. To act as a window through which other nations could look through and see God.
As Gideon was cutting down the asshera pole he was living up to his name.

GIDEON means 'one who cuts down'.

Gideon was never meant to hide in the dark.

GIDEON'S MISSION_TO TAKE THE MESSAGE OUT:

Gideon was called to affirm that Yahweh was the Lord God of Isreal in the openess and hustle n bustle of the marketplace. [Judges 6:26]

Secret alters and quiet prayer times are not enough for God. He wants provocative prayer and testamonies.

He wants people who will stand up and be counted.

People who are not afraid to go against the flow or to march to a different beat.

In church today, 1 in every 100 converts come as a result of a special crusade. The same amount come from visitation, the same number again have a crisis and call on the church for help. 3 in every 100 walk into church, hear the message and respond. 5% come through sunday school ministry. 6% come as a result of activities by church leaders.

So where do the rest come from?

Around 80% come as a result of friendship.

The sad thing is that many christians run around, too busy doing stuff in church, that they neglect to live out their faith in the market place.

I've caught myself pre-occupied, serving God in the winepress.

It's time to go to market!

Love you X

Mission impossible

THE WILL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES : LIVING IN THE WHOLE REVELATION OF GOD_

After Gideon's encounter with Melek Yahweh was over he screamed and sobbed and fell to the ground.

Why ?

Some people think that Gideon's theology would suggest that now he had seen God face to face, he must die [Exodus 33:20], although Abraham, Joshua and many others witnessed the Lord and lived to tell the tale.

Others suggest that Gideon, much like Isaiah and Job, was now suddenly aware of his own sinfulness.

Judges 6 : 25&26

This was a BIG task. A 20 man swat team would struggle to demolish the alter of baal in one night.

[A baal alter was found at Megiddo which measured some 26 feet across and 4 1/2 feet high. Made of many stones, cemented together by mud, such an alter would constitute an immense task to destroy and carry away - LEON WOOD]

So Gideon selected some helpers, family servants, hired-help.

This suggests 2 things . . .

*His paid servants were obviously trust worthy.

*He had no friends he could call on for help.

Thats a bit sad.

Love you X

Never forget

THE WILL OF GOD IS FOUND IN MEMORABLE MOMENTS_

Previous to Gideon's culinary escapade, he had asked this man, this Melek Yahweh, this angel of the Lord for some sign to prove his identity.

Gideon had probably forgotten all about his request (pre-occupied with broth!), but the angel had not forgotten.

"Pour out the broth on the ground, put the meat and the bread on that rock".

Throw away the soup? Waste the meat and bread by dirtying it on the floor?

WHY?!

After this miraculous sign was over and the smoke had cleared, Gideon saw that the angel was gone (along with the goat meat and bread!)

So why burn the meal?

Why not eat it? [Gen. 18:8]

Didn't the angel understand the cost of that meal? _ Goats are few and far between (especially in a famine) AND not to mention the precious grain used to make the bread! Grain probably harvested in that winepress with that stupid threshing stick!

It was for this exact reason that the angel of the Lord did this.

Gideon would remember this encounter with God not just for the prophetic words he recieved, but for the things it cost him.

Everytime Gideon saw a goat or looked upon the measely stock of grain HE WOULD REMEMBER.

Love you X

The will of God

THE WILL OF GOD IS DISCOVERED IN THE DIGNITY OF PARTNERSHIP_

From the winepress we can see that God's will is done in a variety of ways . . .

Sometimes we get a straight forward COMMAND from God, like the instruction given to Gideon to become a saviour for Isreal.

Throughout the bible we see countless examples of God's command approach . . .

The Holy Spirit orders Paul to go to Macedonia, Moses obeys the voice from the burning bush.

However, it's wrong to think that this is the ONLY way God communicates his will to us. God is known to take suggestions from US!

Like Gideon's sacrificial meal or Moses suggesting that killing the Isrealites for worshipping idols (again!) would perhaps not be the most productive answer.

Isn't it an exciting ideology? Along side God commanding us to do some stuff, He is also willing to listen to our ideas and in some cases CHANGE His plans!

In no other religion will you find this idea. Nowhere does a god dictate but also care about the opinions of the little insignificants.

NEGOTIATION_ is another aspect to God's will. In the winepress we see that God wants Gideon to demolosh the alters of baal. Now Gideon is willing, but would prefer to carry out this task at night (under the cover of darkness).

"Would that be alright God?"

"Yes" God replies.

Love you X

Friendship and Function

The angel of the Lord offers Gideon (and us) several helpful ideas . . .

THE WILL OF GOD IS FOUND IN GOD_
"The Lord is with you . . ." God doesn't offer instructions or a map with directions. He offers us HIM.

God follows a pattern when calling people to Him.

FRIENDSHIP and FUNCTION

Jesus invites the disciples to follow Him [frienship] and then promises to make them fishers of men [function].

God reveals Himself to Joshua [frienship] and then calls Joshua to get up and cross the river Jordan [function].

God welcomes Gideon "The Lord is with you, Mighty Warrior" [friendship] and then equips him "go in the strength you have" [function].

It is possible to live these 2 elements equally together, but it is also possible to be heavy on one side . . .

FRIENDSHIP_ Loves to have fellowship, sing worship songs and read the bible, but has no interest in dirtying their hands with evangelism or meeting the needs of the community.

FUNCTION_ Hurtling themselves around and physically working for God and finally collapse and burn out because that lifestyle has no sustanance that comes from an inner relationship with God.

THE WILL OF GOD IS IN HIS WORDS_

Gideons initial reply to the angel is "why is all this crap happening to us?"

But God had already answered that question before it had been asked. In the law given to Moses, God revealed a 'cause and effect' treaty.

Obey me and I'll bless you.

Forsake me and I will lift my hand of protection from you.

Now before we all jump on Gideon and call him idiot, doesn't his question sound familiar?

Love you X

He's waiting...

So Gideon is kinda convinced that this IS an angel of the Lord.

He wants to make an offering, but doesn't want the angel to 'leg it' whilst he's gone.

Melek Yahweh confirms that he WILL wait while Gideon does what all of us would do at a time like this . . . . he finds and kills a baby goat, cuts it up into sections of meat, makes a 'bovril' style soup from some of it and bakes some bread!

Several hours later he returns to find the angel still there waiting.

The Lord is waiting for Gideon.

The Lord is waiting for US.

Love you X

I am with you

After God reveals His plan for him, Gideon's insecurity kicks in.

"Who me?"

"Our clan is the least in Manasseh"

"I am the least of my family"

God reassures him with a firm . . . "I am with you"

Gods instruction to Gideon to "go in the strength you have" could be misunderstood to mean that God wanted Gideon to save Isreal on his own (through his own strength).
However, this statement "go in the strength you have" is directly connected to "I am with you".
So what God is more likely to be saying to Gideon is . . . .

"Walk in the strength that you have as a result of the revelation that God is with you".

For Gideon, the winepress represented survival and existance, grain for another sad day.

We can fall into this boring cycle too, going to work to earn money to by food to get strength to go to work . . .

But Gideon (and you & I) was born for SO much more.

Love you X

What?...Me?

"You will save Isreal" . . . "Am I not sending You?" _ declares the Lord.

Gideon has a choice to make.

Stay hiding in the winepress or step out in faith.

Gideon had 2 things holding him back . . . . Cynicism [an inability to trust and believe in God or God's people] and Insecurity [an inability to believe in the value of himself].

The Lord is with YOU, Gideon.

Gideon, YOU will save Isreal.

I am sending YOU.

Go in the strength YOU have.

Yes, Gideon . . . YOU.

As christians today, we can look back through the bible and see many instances where God uses 'ordinaries'. Our insecurities make it very difficult for us to have faith that God could use 'little old me'.

We read and hear about great revivals through out history, but can't seem to comprehend that it could happen where we live. It isn't that we don't believe God is love, it's just we struggle with the fact that God loves US.

This was Gideons problem.

Love you X

Nervous fugitive

After Gideon heard the angel speak "the LORD is with you..." he was probably thinking "WHAT?!...Here in this winepress secretely reaping this harvest so that His people won't starve and hiding in fear of the Midianites?"

'Mighty Warrior' (Gibbor hayil) was a term used to describe a group of noblemen famed for their abilities in battle. Hardly a greeting for a guy hiding in a winepress in fear for his life!

Mighty warriors / Mighty men _ was the term used for the heroic companions of David [a little after Gideon, but you'll get the idea!]. There was Jashobeam a Hacmonite who killed 300 men (with a spear!) in one fight; Eleazar son of Dodai who was with David in the stand of Pas Dammin (sounds impressive!); Abishai the brother of Joab who also killed 300 men in one go; Benaiah son of Jehoiada who went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion!

Gideon wasn't known for his achievements on the battlefield or his abilities in politics.

He was a nervous fugitive.

The rabbis didn't teach that Gideon was a brave man.

Love you x

Melek Yahweh 2 [electric boogaloo]

So who was this Melek Yahweh, this angel of the Lord ?

There are many different ideas of who (or what) he is.

Some say its Theophany [a pre-existant Christ]

Others say he's a cheif or an angelic representation of God on earth.

This Melek Yahweh shows up all the time througout scripture....

comforting Hagar [Gen. 16:7-13] / burning bush with Moses [Ex. 3:2] / appearing before Balaam and REALLY upsetting his donkey! [Num. 22:22] / addressing the nation of Isreal at Bokim [Jud. 2:1] / meeting Joshua to change his clothes [Zech. 3:1] A touch from Melek Yahweh sees Herod eaten by maggots! [Acts. 12:23] / A few years after Gideon's story we see the same angel appear to another threshing floor, but this time it's to David [2Sam. 24:16]

But when he appeared to Gideon, he had no sword of vengance, just a simple message of good news.

Love you x