This chapter informs us that yet again Israel performed evil in the sight of the Lord and became oppressed. It details God’s calling of Gideon, one of the most well-known judges. Details include the sign of the fleece, as well as Gideon’s destruction of some idol worship paraphernalia.
“And the angel of the Lord appeared to [Gideon] and said, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.’ And [Gideon] said to him, ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.’ So Gideon… prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes… and presented them. Then the angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes. And fire sprang up from the rock and consumed [them]. And the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.” (v12,15-16,19,21 abr)
Gideon was approached by the angel of the Lord, Jesus in His preincarnate form. Gideon was understandably a little hesitant at first, realizing that he was the least of his family and their family was the least in their tribe. This fact made him the “picked last in gym class” kind of guy, or in other words, the least eligible person for such a mission.
Have you ever been asked to do something (by a person or God) for which you were completely “unqualified”? Meaning, literally anyone else, even a ten-year-old, would be a better choice for the task? I know I have.
Gideon tested God three times by requesting three signs, and God granted him all three. God is so patient with us, even when we doubt ourselves and God’s decision-making skills. One might think “surely you’ve made a mistake God, you must be looking for someone else with the same name.” Yet, God does not make mistakes, and He calls each of us specifically for a reason (which, in that moment, is known only to Him).
My encouragement for today is to fully embrace anything the Lord is asking us to do, no matter how “unqualified” we are. I am often encouraged by the phrase “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” This is not only true for Gideon, it is true for us today. Let’s lean into God’s leading in our lives, even if it seems as far-fetched as leading your people to freedom from oppression from a people who were “as numerous as locusts”.
Father God, our Almighty Lord and King, great and powerful is Your name. We lift our voices in praise, proclaiming Your ways higher than our ways, and Your thoughts higher than our thoughts. Father when You call, may we learn to respond “here I am”. When you beckon, may we come running. When You call the unqualified, may we trust You will provide the qualifications. All honor, praise and glory be to Jesus Christ, our Savior and King, who makes all of this possible with the gift of God’s Spirit. Amen.
P.S. I can’t help but point out Gideon’s reaction when he realized to whom he was speaking: “Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, ‘Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.’ ” (v22-23) Gideon realizes he has been speaking to the Son of God / God Himself, face to face, and is struck with absolute fear of the Lord. I’d probably be afraid for my life too, if I saw our all-powerful, all-knowing God face to face.
~ Conqueror in Training