Mighty Warrior

I love the way The angel of the LORD greets Gideon in Judges 6:
"The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."
What a greeting to this ordinary farmer, who is threshing his grain in hiding from the raiding Midianites.

We were looking at the story of Gideon this evening in cell, and at the way in which we deal with big challenges. I've always been a fan of this story - it always seemed to have such dramatic potential!

The LORD's challenge to Gideon here starts with an issue of identity. Strangely Gideon doesn't respond to it directly, but instead questions the angel about why the LORD has abandoned them. However, instead of responding to the question of abandonment the LORD responds with a challenge for Gideon to deal with it himself:
"Go in the strength you have...Am I not sending you?"

It's almost a reverse of the usual 'go in my strength' idea, but there's also an element of 'I know what I'm doing - trust me.' I can almost hear my own voice issuing instructions in class and then getting impatient when questioned: 'I can't do this question! We haven't learnt this!' 'Yes you have. You can do it - have a go!'

Gideon is not convinced and questions God's choice of himself: "I am the least in my family." But the LORD answers that they will strike down the Midianites together.

Gideon still isn't quite sure and asks the LORD to wait while he prepares a sacrifice. This part of the story makes me laugh - the LORD is speaking to him and he has the daring to ask Him to wait! It's almost as if he needs breathing room and falls back on the safety of established religious practices. But the LORD graciously agrees to wait for his return.

Gideon sets up the sacrifice with the angel's help, who then disappears as it is lit. Gideon finally catches on that he has met an angel and is terrified but the LORD tells him "Peace!" and gives him instructions for what to do.

What follows is a series of episodes in which Gideon does what he's instructed, but not always as confidently as you'd hope. He tests that the LORD is really speaking to him by putting out a fleece - not once but twice. Surely this man would test anyone's patience! But the LORD is tender with him, graciously answering his requests and taking him step by step.

The story of Gideon and the Midianites which follows is a showcase for God's sense of humour and individual attention to detail. In the way he reduces Gideon's numbers bit by bit, he seems almost to be playing with him. But the LORD is teaching Gideon to follow his instructions exactly and to rely on him utterly. Unlike the removal of the Asherah pole in 6:25-27 He leaves no room for manoeuvre in these instructions! Later the LORD gives Gideon yet more encouragement in a vision experienced by one of his men (7:13-14). This inspires Gideon, who finally has the confidence to use his own initiative, coming up with one of the most creative and dramatic attacks in the Bible (up there with Jericho I think!).

I am encouraged to remember that God knows exactly how much to push us...the right balance of challenge and encouragement...to get us to think 'big' and have the confidence to approach the impossible with his help. By the end Gideon had the confidence to make the final attack without waiting for specific instructions from the LORD. The "mighty warrior" had finally arrived. Gideon was inspired and capable of defeating the enemy even without strength of numbers - God was right, he could do it!