“This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.” Judges 7:14
There is a picture of the Lord in Isaiah, which few talk about. Isaiah writes: “The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealouusy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; He shall preveail against his enemies.” (42:13) Though the spiritual warfare in which the Christian is engaged is not of the flesh, it is still a warfare, a fight, a struggle, a wrestling match. There is no passivity to it. It is a total engagement of oneself, by the Spirit, to overcome the enemy, seeking the coming of the kingdom of God, and the doing of His will. The central issue is the power and authority of God confronting and overcoming the powers of darkness of the enemy in and through the believer. In the book of Joshua, we see the “Captain of the host of the Lord,” with a drawn sword, ready to do battle with the opposing enemy. In Isaiah we also see something of this warror, Christ. The hymn-writer puts it like this: “The Son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain. His blood-red banner streams afar, who follows in His train? Who now can drink His cup of woe, triumphant over pain? Who patient bears His cross below, He follows in His train.” All through Scripture, since the fall of man, and the spiritual conflict between two brothers, Cain and Able, we see and are faced with the reality of godless evil opposing Godly good. The believer is called to be consistently victorious in his life and walk, recognizing the conflict, commiting himself to Christ in the conflict, and waring a “good warfare” according to the direction of his Captain. He is ever relying wholly upon the Spirit of God for strength and wisdom. The victory belongs to the believer, but is only known by submitting to the Lord’s authority, setting himself to overcome by God’s grace.
In the case of Gideon, we first discover him in hinding with his family, seeking to provide food for them. We do not see him engaged in a warfare against an overwhelming foe. On the contrary, when the Lord confronts him about his calling and task, we discover that he has a very low opinion of himself, his capacities, and resources. He says, “…my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15) However, God looks beyond the limitations and fleshly resources of Gideon to what he will is according to the grace and power of God. The first thing that the angel of the Lord says to Gideon, is: “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” (6:12) This is a remarkable statement, primarily because it defies and is in great contrast to the situation of Gideon and the people. Every year the Midianites, with the Amalekites, come and ravage the land. They are a multitude that cannot be resisted from a human standpoint. Thus, Gideon, like others of his day, are in hiding, seeking to survive, and to escape the destruction and devastation that this enemy horde causes. So, it does not appear that the Lord is with the people, much less, Gideon as a individual. Indeed, Gideon takes issue with the angel by asking, “If the Lord be for us, why then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of?” (v.13) If this was not a great obstacle to Gideon’s faith, the angel’s assessment of him personally would be. The angel calls him a “…mighty man of valor.” (v.12) It is on the basis of God’s promises that Gideon is called to BE a warrior, a soldier, a conqueror, all for the purpose of delivering Israel. Christ commands Gideon: “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the Midianites, have not I sent thee?” (v.14)
Dear Father, Make us good soldiers. In Jesus’ name, Amen.