4. Old Testament Walkers and Talkers

x. Gideon

Thinking

An angel spoke directly to Gideon (Judges 6: 11-25). This two-way conversation is recorded in detail and comprises the commissioning of Gideon to be a deliverer and then judge of God's people.

The angel of the Lord came to meet Gideon under the oak tree at Ophrah with specific instructions for a raid on the Midianites who were the controlling force in the land. Gideon protested that his clan, Manasseh, was the weakest in the nation, but God promised, "But I will be with you, and you shall strike down the Midianites, every one of them" (V.16.).

Then Gideon asked for a sign, so that he could be sure that it really was God who was speaking to him. Gideon set out some meat and unleavened cakes on a rock. The angel touched these with the tip of a staff and they were burned up. Gideon responded in worship and commitment. In the story, it is difficult to work out when the angel of God is speaking, or when it is the Lord himself. Today we must seek truths before facts.

Praying

Lord, as I read again the conversation with Gideon some very modern parallels jump out at me. The angel said to Gideon, "The Lord is with you." Today, your spirit deep within tells me you are with me. Gideon responded, "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?" He could have been living today. I hear people saying this all the time. Is there something you want to say to me about this, Lord?

Listening

My son, you can't begin to imagine the things that don't happen as a result of my presence. It is also not possible for you at this stage to understand why some things have to happen. But today, remember the words of Jesus, "My kingdom is not from here" (John 18: 36). Now match that with the other word, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4: 24). As you link these lessons, realise that one place where I am very active is in the hearts of men and women. I want to speak to your soul and to grow your awareness of me because you are my child. Then the words to you become the same as those to Gideon. "Go forth in strength."

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Praying

Lord, I have been sitting here for a few minutes thinking about and marveling at these words. Then I realised I had forgotten about the outside world.

Listening

I noticed that too, and like Gideon, I want to empower you and your brothers and sisters to go out in strength into the world and achieve great things for me. Gideon's specific task is not relevant to you today, but many other tasks are. My purpose is to commission each one of you, to strengthen you, and then to guide you.

Praying

Lord, the first thing Gideon did was to build an altar as an act of worship. Help me, I pray, to begin each task for you with worship. I need to come before your presence and to be aligned with you before commencing any task. Thank you for the lesson from Gideon.

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Thinking

There is a brief report of the words of Gideon when he tested God (Judges 6: 36-40). This is the curious story of the dewy fleece on the dry ground, and then vice versa. Gideon left a fleece out on the ground all night, and in the morning, only the fleece was wet. He put the fleece out a second time, and in the morning the ground was wet but the fleece was dry. Perhaps 'test' is the wrong word. Surely he was just looking for a sign from God. Occasionally today we hear about people asking for a sign from God. I sense a need to be very cautious in this.

Listening

That's right, my son, but remember, I speak to my people in many different ways, and not always in words. Sometimes, when a person is very serious about the need for guidance, and comes to me first in worship and devotion, it is appropriate to ask for a sign - and I will answer. The lesson from Gideon is also that this kind of request to me should be the exception rather than the rule.

Praying

Thank you, Lord, for the clarity of your teaching today.

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Thinking

Further conversations between God and Gideon are reported in Judges (7: 2-11) with instructions for the raid by 300 men on the Midianites.

I first heard this story in Sunday School many years ago and smile as I recall the teaching. God told Gideon that he had too many troops. Any one who was apprehensive was invited to retire home. That reduced the numbers from 22,000 to 10,000, but it was still too many. Under God's instruction, Gideon took his men to the river and told them to have a drink. Only those men were chosen who were watchful and lapped from their hands, rather than putting their faces into the stream. Perhaps even in this story there is the lesson that God's voice to us often comes as the unexpected solution. Yet this story of conversation between God and the man Gideon has another lesson. The story of Gideon's calling was about strategy. "Go in my strength." This one, about calling his men, is all about detail.

Praying

Lord, I thank you that as we come to walk with you, and learn to hear your voice, you speak to our souls, and meet our needs be it big plan or fine detail. You also want us to watch and pray (Luke 21: 36).

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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