February 12, 2024

Judges 7.13-15 (NIV)

Gideon arrived just as a man was telling . . . about his dream. . . . “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that . . . [it] overturned and collapsed.” His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon. . . . God has given the Midianites . . . into his hands.”  When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he . . . returned to the camp and called out, “Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”

True leadership relies on God’s attributes, not one’s own.* 

All day, God has been working with Gideon to build the perfect army for defeating the Midianites. He accomplishes this by reducing the number of Israelite soldiers from 32,000 to 300. This was probably not what Gideon expected but God continues to assure him that he knows what he is doing. Finally, that night, God tells him (in so many words), “Okay. If you don’t believe me, then go down to the camp and hear what they are saying.” Gideon, while still in doubt, has been obedient so far, so he makes his way down to the camp and overhears the conversation recorded in the verses above.

After all God’s assurances and personal attention, why does Gideon not believe in his victory until he overhears the guy telling about his dream? Who are these men and why would Gideon accept the one’s interpretation of the dream?

Now, take a look at Gideon as he went about his day, doing what God told him to do. Can we guess at Gideon’s attitude? Have you ever gone through the motions when your heart wasn’t in it? Could it be better to submit with a heart full of resentment than not to submit at all? 

Now let's observe God’s day. He spent it arranging things so that 1) Gideon’s army would win; and 2) there would be no doubt that the victory came from him, not from the army’s strength. Throughout the day, he provided assurance that the Midianites are losers. This is our mighty God in action:  arranging affairs for our good (Romans 8.28); assuring us that his power is at our disposal (Luke 10.19); remaining patient in the face of our obstinacy (I Timothy 1.16); and doing whatever it takes to make us finally realize what he’s been telling us – whether gently in Gideon’s case or not so gently as was often the case with the Israelites (and with us).

When we doubt that God is on our side, we need to remember Gideon. We need to “Get up!” and go into battle, knowing that it’s not about what we can do!

We are not sent to battle for God, but to be used by God in His battlings.*

*Quote sources available upon request.