Gideon

Gideon was hiding in a winepress to thresh a little wheat. He felt small, poor, and powerless.

God’s Way of Seeing

But the angel of the Lord said to him: “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” God did not look at Gideon’s fear, but at what he could become through faith.

To be sure that God would use him to free Israel, Gideon asked Him for a humble sign.

Dew on the Fleece

He put a woolen fleece on the threshing floor overnight. In the morning, the fleece was full of dew, while the ground around it was dry! The second night, at his request, the fleece stayed dry while the ground was covered with dew. God patiently confirmed his mission.

Gideon had gathered 32,000 soldiers. But God told him: “The people that are with thee are too many.” If they won, the men would think they had done it by their own strength.

Watching at the Stream

God sent them to drink water from the stream, and He chose only the 300 men who scooped water in their hands and lifted it to their mouths while looking around. They were alert and ready for action.

Armed not with heavy swords but with trumpets, lit torches, and empty clay jars, the 300 surrounded the enemy camp at night.

The Shout in the Night

At a signal they broke the jars, held up the torches, and shouted: “The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.” The enemy camp was terrified and scattered.

After this great victory, the people of Israel came to Gideon and said: “Rule thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son also.”

Only the Lord Is King

Gideon showed great character: “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.” He turned all the glory toward God.