A POOR MAN IS PROMOTED!
Gideon Saves Israel From the Midianites
Judges 6 verse 12: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him,
and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of
valour."
Gideon was threshing wheat, hiding it from the Midianites when
the angel of the LORD appeared unto him and gave him divine
direction and a mission. Gideon asked the angel if the LORD be
with us, then why is all of this happening to us (the Midianites
had been their enemies for seven years)? Judges 6 verse 6 says
"And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites;
and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD." Crying unto the
LORD involves earnest and heartfelt prayer. The LORD heard their
prayers and sent a prophet who reminded them that the LORD had
delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of all
that had oppressed them, yet they worshipped the gods of the
Amorites instead of obeying the LORD's voice. Yes, the LORD was
compassionate and still loved Israel despite their disobedience.
The LORD went on to tell Gideon that he would be the one to
deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. The LORD told
Gideon "have not I sent thee?" Please note that Israel was
hemmed in and no man or woman was their leader or no man or
woman could lead them to deliverance unless sent by God. Gideon
heard these words and was flabbergasted! He said, "How can I
save Israel? My family is poor and I am the least in my father's
house." The LORD confirmed the call of Gideon, saying "Surely I
will be with thee". Gideon was still doubtful and asked the LORD
to show him a sign that it was God talking with him. He still
couldn't believe that the Lord would call him for this dangerous
mission...why didn't the LORD call someone richer or better
educated or someone with more prestige? I believe it is because
God looks on the heart and man looks on the outer appearance.
Calling Gideon for this job would be like having an ordinary
middle class or poor American becoming President of the United
States of America. Impossible with men but possible with God.
Gideon went on in the power of the LORD and fulfilled his divine
call. He still was doubtful and asked the LORD to confirm his
mission by putting out a fleece. The LORD honored Gideon's
request and did so (Judges 6 verses 36-40). Gideon went on to
defeat the Midianites in a miraculous way with a small number of
men...because the LORD was with him. It is also interesting to
note in the days of Gideon the country was in quietness (peace
reigned). He went on to have many children and lived to an old
age, yet after he died, the children of Israel remembered not
the LORD their God and went a whoring after Baalim.
Does the LORD God still call "Gideons" this day? I believe he
still raises up His men and women in answers to prayers. God
still is in control of the affairs of the world and He promotes
whosever He will.
Psalm 75 verses 6, 7 "For promotion cometh neither from the
east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the
judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
Irvin L. Rozier, Sep 29, 2005