How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets.
Hebrews 11:32
The example of Gideon is very well known but not normally for the reason of his faith but for his lack of faith. Most of us think of Gideon and the fleece and conclude Gideon to be an example of the lack of faith. However, the writer of Hebrews used him as an example of strong faith. How do we reconcile these two opposing points of view? Allow me to start at the beginning of the story and firstly introduce you to Gideon and his background. You can read Gideon’s story for yourself in the book Judges chapters six to eight and I strongly suggest you do. He was the sixth judge of Israel and came from the half tribe of Manasseh, recognised as being the smallest tribe in Israel.
Gideon himself tells us about his background in chapter six after the angel of the LORD has come and told him he was a ‘mighty warrior’ [read Judge] chosen to lead Israel out from under the oppression of the Midianites. But Gideon didn’t feel much like a warrior of any sort:
“But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
Judges 6:15
In fact Gideon’s name means “shattered in pieces”. God was calling Gideon the name ‘Gibeor’ which means “mighty warrior’. He could have accused God of not knowing his given name. But rather God Himself was applying the ‘mighty warrior’ name to the one who was shattered and didn’t feel he was capable of being a warrior judge.
The LORD said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”
Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me. Don’t go away until I come back and bring my offering to you.” He answered, “I will stay here until you return.”
Judges 6:16-17
Gideon returned bringing his offering and placed it on the altar. The angel touched the meat and bread with his staff and the offering was burnt up, proof that God accepted it, sealing the promise. God then told Gideon to build an altar to YHWH-Shalom – the LORD is Peace. God told Gideon to tear down the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole, two sacred places to his father’s gods and the community of Ophrah. It was a brave thing to do to destroy your father’s altar and the worship centre of the community. Actually that was signing your death warrant. But his father spoke up to save his son and said, “Let Baal be the one to put Gideon to death (if he truly is a god).”
Gideon survived his first test with some strong indications that God was with him. Earlier in an encounter with God, Gideon was told to
“Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
Judges 6:14
Soon after the Midianities formed an alliance with the Amelakites and the people to the east to attack Israel and crossed the Jordan, camping in the valley of Jezreel. Then the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him. He also sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, summoning their warriors, and all of them responded.
Judges 6:33-35
On the brink of war with three foreign nations, Gideon decides it is time to consult God on this matter of going to war. Should I?; shouldn’t I? He decides to ask the LORD for a sign that he is to lead the four tribes of Israel into war. I think you would agree that may well be a good step to take. Perhaps he learned that lesson from the story about Joshua at Ai. This is the time Gideon asked for a sign using a sheep’s fleece.
Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.” So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
Judges 6:36-40
What is the point of this way of asking God for confirmation? Naturally speaking a fleece of wool is always going to hold the dew longer than the ground around it. I think Gideon asked again and switched the request so he would really know that God wanted him to go to war. A reasonable thing to do. Haven’t you ever asked God for something only to realise that you should have made it harder so you know it was really an answer from God? I have. But that was not the last time Gideon had to operate by faith. I hope you read the whole story and noted the string of things Gideon achieved by faith.
- God pruned Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 10,000 to 300 in order to fight against the 135,000 in the opposing army. (Judges 7:1-8)
- Gideon went with Purah at the LORD’s instruction within earshot of the Midianite camp. (Judges 7:9-15)
- God gave Gideon a rather strange war strategy which Gideon used. (Judges 7:16-22)
- Gideon faced the anger of those left out of the war after doing things God’s way. (Judges 8:1-3)
- Gideon mopped up the remnant (15,000) of the two Midianite kings who’d fled with the same band of 300. (Judges 8:4-12)
- Gideon refused to be the ruler of Israel. (Judges 8:22-23)
I haven’t considered the punishing of the 77 leaders in Succoth for the cost of lunch for his men as an act of faith. Neither have I included Gideon killing the kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, as an act of faith but you may disagree with me. I am sure we can all agree that making the ephod of gold (Judges 8:24-27) was not an act of faith. But all things considered, I think you have to agree that Gideon was indeed a remarkable example of faith.
Faith is to believe what God has told you to do, even though you can’t imagine it happening. The reward for acting in faith is to see what God told you come to pass.
Ian
Have you received a word that awaits your next step of faith? Proceed, no matter how incredible it seems.
Bob Gass
If I’m not taking any risks, I don’t need any faith. If I don’t need any faith, then I’m being UNfaithful!
Rick Godwin
Every time you do what God has told you, your faith grows.
Ian