THE SWORD OF THE LORD AND OF GIDEON

“It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand!”

God spoke to Gideon in the night (Judges 7:9-25). It was a time of anxiety and vulnerability. God can speak any time He wants. His timing is always perfect. God often speaks when things are quiet. God spoke to Abraham in the night. He assured him that his descendants would be many and brilliant like the stars in the night. God spoke to Jacob in the night, from the top of the ladder that connected heaven and earth. Young Samuel heard God calling him in the night. Then God speaks to Gideon. God speaks to leaders. Their obedience is vital. God gives Gideon two orders and a promise. The first command was “arise”! Faith obeys instantly. Faith is action. God always initiates the action! God often says: stand up! The change from lying down to standing up means to be ready for action. God does not call His people to passivity but to action. Delaying in obedience feeds doubt and hinders victory. By faith, Gideon is ready to battle 135,000 Midianites with only 300 soldiers under his control. Faith does not calculate the mathematics of God’s Word. Faith chooses to obey God, even against all odds. The second order is this: “go down against the camp” of the Midianites. The words “go down” mean to descend. They appear three times in a row. It is a signal to humble themselves. God resists the proud, but He gives grace, His unmerited favor, only to the humble (Jam 4:6). Then God gives His promise: “I have delivered it into your hand”. The verb is in the past. Victory is sure. God announces the victory even before the battle. This shows that God is totally in charge. Victory does not depend on numbers or the strength of the soldiers. Many enemies do not change the result of the war. Victory belongs to the Lord! The Word of God does not need help. It must be believed as you hear it. God’s Word works by itself, and it is the guarantee of the victory. It increased the faith in Gideon. It gave him courage and strength.

THE SITUATION DURING THE TIME OF GIDEON

Because the Israelites disobeyed God and worshipped idols God allowed the Midianites to conquer them. It led to three ways of suffering:

1. Oppression- Occupation by their enemies. Oppression is the exercise of authority or power in a cruel, wicked or unjust manner.

2. Poverty- Failed agriculture and business and abject poverty.

3. Fear- Constant fear, which caused Israel to live like animals in caves, strongholds, and dens of the mountains.  

When Israel got tired of living like this, they cried unto God.  God began raising up a leader to answer their cry.  His name was Gideon.

“And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them” (Jdg 2:18)

The word “judge” means more than a judge in the court. It also means a military leader and deliverer. In times of oppression, when people pray for freedom, it is God who rises a leader. The position of leadership is not the result of selfish ambition or political appointment. It is God’s choice. Spiritual leaders are not self-made, but God appointed. These are qualities that mark a spiritual leader:

*God’s presence is with the leader. Like with Moses and Joshua, God empowers and directs the leader. He gains the trust of the followers.

*The leader’s success depends on God’s presence with him and is not based on his strength or human wisdom.

*The leader delivers God’s people from the enemies. The judge is a Savior and a Deliverer, a symbol of the Lord Jesus Christ!

*God empowers the judge for as long as he lives. After the judge dies, God’s people return to sin, and the cycle of oppression continues.

*God is merciful. He uses the enemies to discipline His people but once they repent and cry in prayer, God intervenes and saves them.

“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance and victory belong to the LORD” (PV 21:31). In ancient times, horses were a symbol of power, especially in warfare. Preparing a horse for battle was a long and difficult process. This a symbol of the role man plays in getting ready for life’s challenges. We see here that God is sovereign over everything, even in deciding the winer and the loser in battle. Human effort is good, but it is not sufficient to gain victory. Even against all odds, it is God who decides the winner. Victory comes from God’s intervention and grace. That gives us peace and courage. A mature believer has learnt how to balance his own effort in preparation for the challenges of life and faith in God who is sovereign over the outcome. When the victory comes, be sure to give God all the glory!

Fear is a stronghold, difficult to destroy. God knows that Gideon still has some fears. He has called Gideon “a mighty man of valor”, but Gideon still struggles with fears and doubts. This shows God’s understanding of human nature and His compassion towards men. God often chooses weak men who totally depend on Him. God provides all the help we need so that we have no excuse to obey Him. God tells Gideon to go down in the valley where the Midianite army was found. This is a dangerous action. It means to enter enemy’s territory. God provides an assistant to Gideon. It is his personal servant called Purah. His name means “Branch”. This shows the help and encouragement coming from a trusted friend. Every leader should have a trusted assistant that can help him. Moses and Joshua, Paul and Timothy are examples of leaders who had good people to assist them. The ideal marriage means that the husband and wife help one another. Purah is a symbol of the Holy Spirit who goes with us into every battle. Gideon’s obedience is a sign of faith. This shows that faith is not the absence of fear but obeying God despite of fear. Thru obeying this command, God changes Gideon’s fear into faith! God tells Gideon to listen to what the enemies are saying. God can use unexpected sources, even our enemies, to strengthen our faith. This is also a reminder that faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17). Greater faith will strengthen Gideon’s hands. He becomes courageous as leader to enter the battle. The Midianites were very many, like locusts. Gideon’s success depended on his obedience to God’s unconventional battle plan. Obedience to God’s instructions is crucial, even when they go against any human logic. Selah!

Gideon arrives at the very moment when one of the Midianites tells another about his dream. In the Bible, dreams are significant. He said that suddenly, a loaf of barley bread tumbled in the camp of Midian, struck a tent that fell and was overturned. The barley bread is a lower quality than the wheat bread. It was the bread given to horses or poor people. This loaf of barley bread symbolizes Gideon, who comes from a poor family. The tent that fell and was overturned is a symbol of the total defeat of the enemy’s power. Spiritually, this is a prophetic revelation that the humble man Christ destroyed the devil’s power over men. Gideon could have been intimidated by the great army of the Midianites, but he knew that God gave them this dream as a sign that they will be defeated. See how at the same time, God encouraged His people and discourages their enemies. The Midianite soldier says that the sword of Gideon will destroy them. The sword is a symbol of judgment. He says that God has given Gideon the authority to totally defeat them, even though Isreal’s army was very small. Lesson: God can use pagan soldiers to prophesy His plans among men. He can use a donkey to speak to Prophet Ballaam. The Midianite soldier correctly interprets their defeat just the way Joseph interpreted the dream of the Baker. The soldier declares Midian’s defeat as a settled fact. He says that God “has delivered,” not “will deliver!” God gave a similar word of certainty to Joshua saying: “I have delivered Jericho into your hand” (Josh 6:2). Victory indeed belongs to the Lord! Once Gideon heard the interpretation of the dream, he bowed down and worshipped God. Gideon acknowledged God’s sovereignty, power and faithfulness. Worship is a powerful response to God’s revelation of success. It is confirmation that the victory is sure. This is a spiritual law: Faith leads to worship and to victory. Greatly encouraged, Gideon goes back to his people to get ready for action. Fear and doubt have now become Faith!

Gideon divides the 300 men into three groups. This is a symbol of Trinity. God gives Gideon the strategy for battle. Gideon gives each man a trumpet into one hand, with empty pitchers, and torches inside the pitchers in the other hand. The trumpet was in fact a ram’s horn called “shofar”. The priests use the shophar to call people to worship or to battle. Jericho’s walls fell at the sound of the shophar. The blowing of the trumpet was a psychological weapon, to create confusion and fear in the enemy camp and to encourage Isreal. The breaking of the clay pots was a symbol of God’s light that shines at the right moment, defeating the darkness of the world. This light added to the confusion of the enemy. It shows that God uses weak people that carry His light to defeat the strong people of darkness. When “self” dies, Christ will shine from within. Gideon’s obedience to God’s command was vital in achieving the victory. Prayer, praise, faith and obedience are spiritual weapons. Gideon and his 300 men used only light and sound to defeat the enemy. These are symbols of the sword of the Spirit and the illumination of Truth, parts of the armor of God. Gideon obeys God’s unconventional strategy: a tiny, divided force, armed with horns, jars, and hidden flames. Every detail shows divine power working through man’s weakness, praise preceding victory, light overcoming darkness. We must trust God’s ways and methods, proclaim His greatness, and let His light blaze through our fragile lives. The victory is sure!

Gideon said to them: “Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do”. Gideon now takes the lead. It shows the principle of leading by example. The followers must obey his commands and imitate his actions. The Unity of the Spirit and their Trust in the leader are crucial for victory. The obedience and perfect coordination of the men is vital. Rebellion at this point can bring defeat and death. Gideon’s transformation from a hesitant leader to a bold warrior demonstrates the power of faith in overcoming fear. We are encouraged to trust in God’s promises and step out in faith. Gideon says: Look at me and do likewise! He does not offer a lecture. He offers himself. People learn faith when they see it displayed in action. God has called Gideon a mighty man of valor. Now, his actions match his title. This is similar with Joshua’s battle cry: “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city” (Josh 6:16). Praise the Lord!

Apostle Paul said: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1Cor 11:1). Apostle Paul gives himself as an example for others to imitate. This is not because he is proud, but because he pays the price to learn and apply Christ’s teachings in his life. This imitation involves humility, obedience, and Love for God and man. Applying the teachings of Jesus will change your heart and life. We must study, submit and imitate the godly leaders God has set for us. But men are limited. Jesus is the final example for us to follow. Imitating Christ happens thru the lifelong process of sanctification. We imitate Christ by humble service, loving and helping people, being patient during trials, pure in the heart and motives, faithfully preaching the Gospel and keep eternity in view. “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct” (Heb 13:7)!

Jesus said, “I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:15). Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. This was a job done by the lowest of house servants. The teachings of Jesus are not just theory. They are practical. True leadership means being a servant to others, helping them. This shows humility before position. A servant heart turns ordinary moments into eternal rewards.

Gideon positions his men around the camp. Then suddenly, they broke the clay pots and blew the trumpets. Their position around the camp intensified the sound of the trumpets creating fear and confusion in the enemy’s camp. This great sound was a symbol of God’s mighty power. It was the same strategy that Joshua used around Jericho to achieve the victory (Josh 6). They also shouted, “For the Lord and Gideon”. It was a battle cry and a confession of allegiance to the Lord who gave them victory and to their leader. It was a combination of God’s intervention and human leadership. Gideon was the judge and leader God chose. It shows the partnership between God and man. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. In the ancient warfare, there was a light bearer for about 30 men. When the Midianites saw the 300 men carrying the torches, they assumed that they were 9000 soldiers. Also, God did not want them to carry swords to fight. Only fire and trumpet to blow. This was a brilliant strategy. All the glory of the victory was given to God! Gideon’s men acted in unison, which was crucial for their success. This highlights the importance of unity and cooperation among believers in fulfilling God’s purposes. The attack was at the “middle watch”. This is about 12 midnight, the time when people are most tired. The attack also had an element of surprise. The torches symbolize God’s presence, reminding us that His fire and light dispel darkness and brings victory over our spiritual battles. Each man stood in his position. The Midianites cried out, fought themselves and ran away. Just as Gideon’s men stood firm, Christians are called to stand firm in faith, equipped with the armor of God.

LEADERSHIP – LIFE INTERRUPTED BY GOD

The call to leadership, very often, comes out of nowhere when least expecting it.  It is a sovereign act of God.  Like with Gideon, one day you are busy about your work, and the next day God is speaking to you about serving Him.  The promise of God to His leaders is threefold:

1. God will raise you up.  You don’t have to promote yourself.

2. God will be with you.

3. God will grant you success in your assignment. You will be successful every day of your life.

When God called Gideon, we observe some details:

*God knows where to find you.  You cannot escape the call of God.

*God’s calling will interrupt your plans. God is not interested in your personal plans for your life.

*God looks to promote hard workers. Gideon was busy working. God does not promote the lazy.  

*God looks to promote those are a committed to Him.  Gideon was busy threshing wheat, symbolic of sanctification, dying to sin.

*God’s calling is always bigger than what we can see. God expects us to answer and obey by faith!

*God sees in us the things we cannot see.  Gideon was called a “mighty man of valor, a warrior” when he was hiding from enemies.

(Abraham was called the “father of many nations” when he had no children. Sarah was called a “princess” even when she mocked the LORD. Peter was called the “rock” even though he failed)

*Very few Christians readily and humbly receive the call of God as Mary did, “be it unto me according to Your word” (Lk1:38).

*God ignores Gideon’s complains and self-doubts. God will send you to confront and defeat your very fears (the Midianites).

*GOD IS NOT A FOOL. God does not make mistakes when He calls one into leadership. You can’t change God’s mind. You must submit.

*If God has called you, He will not fail you. He has not called you to fail or put you to shame! Trust God even when you do not understand.

FACTS ABOUT GOD’S CALLING

“For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt 22:14). The Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected goes out into the whole world. It demands a response. Many hear it but refuse to accept it. The chosen ones are those who recognize God’s Grace and have faith in Christ crucified. The call is like a king inviting you to the wedding of his son. It is a great honor to be invited. Not all attend the wedding feast. Those who do are called the remnant of grace, the elect or the chosen. There are three main callings in the New Testament:

1. Called out of darkness into God’s light.  This is the new birth.  God has called every human being to His son, the LORD Jesus Christ.

2. Called to be a servant in the Kingdom. This calling is for every Christian, to serve God in any capacity. God rewards faithful service.

3. Called to full-time ministry leadership. This calling is not extended to every Christian. These are the fivefold ministers: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These believers are twice called out: to be born again and to lead others in the name of Jesus!

SOME QUALITIES OF GIDEON AS A LEADER

*Obedience. Gideon obeyed God’s commands even when he did not understand them or he was afraid. God will be with you. Obedience to God’s Word is often very intimidating; however, disobedience is dreadful. God will give you companions and helpers. Gideon had help.

*Humility. Before Gideon was a leader, he was a humble servant. He presented The Angel of God with an offering. Ask yourself: how long did he take to butcher and cook a goat? How long did he take to bake bread made from 22 pounds of flour? This is hard work. The offering was very expensive especially because all people were poor and Gideon’s family was the poorest in the tribe of Manasseh.

*Worship. Gideon built an altar for Jehovah Shalom. He was declaring his total surrender to serving God, all the days of his life. By accepting his call, Gideon found Shalom, Peace amid trouble. He has found his identity at the center of God’s will. Don’t run from God!

*Courage. Gideon had problems with the men of his own city. But he stood for God. Gideon never defended himself.  His own father spoke up for him. Know that you will not have to defend yourself. Truth needs no defense. Truth defends itself.

In conclusion, God’s call never fails. God will send helpers. Before Gideon was selected, he could only draw 10 men to himself (Judg 6:27). After his consecration and selection, God drew, not just the Abiezrites, but four other tribes, totaling 32,000 men to his cause. Through obedience, Gideon went from being a scared farm boy to a great military and national leader.  If you will obey God with all your heart, He will take you from obscurity to a place of prominence in the Kingdom, for His glory!! “And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Heb 11:32-34)

GOD’S WAYS

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa 55:8,9). The word “thoughts” means plans and purposes. There is great distance between God’s thoughts and man’s thoughts. God is omniscient. Our wisdom and understanding are limited. God perfectly knows the past, present and the future. God’s motives to do anything are always pure. God’s wisdom is different than our wisdom. We need to pray to find God’s wisdom and to submit to it, even if it makes no sense. God’s Word and not our opinions must lead in all things. Thoughts produce Ways, and lifestyles. God’s ways are always perfect, having purposes, and lead to an expected end. Our ways are selfish and rebellious. God’s “ways” refer to His plans, purposes, and actions, which are beyond human understanding. The Heavens and the Earth illustrate the vast difference between God’s ways and human ways. The heavens represent the divine realm, while the earth represents the human realm. Recognize that God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours. This should lead us to humility and reverence in our relationship with Him. The Holy Spirit draws our eyes upward to the immeasurable gap between sky and soil. From a human vantage point, the heavens feel endless, unreachable—so is the distance between God’s reality and ours. “Ways” speaks of deeds, plans, timing, and methods. God’s choices soar above our best strategies. Think of: Joseph’s detour through slavery and prison before the palace (Gen 50:20). Israel marching around Jericho instead of storming it (Josh 6:1-5). The cross—foolishness to men, but the power and wisdom to God (1 Cor 1:18-25). Selah!

The anointing of God will draw people to you, but your character is critical to retaining them. Gideon’s life changed forever. His life would never be a simple farm life ever again. He would now live to serve God as a spiritual leader! A lack of understanding does not excuse a lack of obedience. You see the moment, but God sees eternity. You see the sickness, but God sees the healing. You see poverty, but God sees riches. You see lost, but God sees found. You see no hope, but God sees the victory that rises like the morning sun. God says: I am God! He is not subject to the laws of the universe. All laws are subject to Him. Trust God! Worship the Lord!