Gideon Mighty Man of Valour

God appointed a series of Leaders in the book of Judges, after the death of Joshua. These Leaders were called Judges to protect God's people (Israel) from their surrounding enemies. The Leaders were unique in their Military, Administrative, and Spiritual abilities ordained by God to perform their tasks. One of the greatest military Judges was Gideon Mighty Man of Valour.

 Who Were The Midianites:

The Midianites were descendants of Abraham with his second wife Keturah after the death of his first wife Sarah (Genesis 25:2-4). In addition, the Midianites afflicted Israel in many other situations also they were a very fierce nation. (Numbers 31) (Numbers 25:17-19).

The Children of Israel Did Evil In The Sight of God:

(Judges 6:1) “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.”

After 40 years of peace, the Israelites began to worship and practice idolatry again. Disobeying the Law of the true God of Israel and began to worship Baal the god of the Pagans.

Therefore, God removed His Divine Peace and Protection from around them and allowed the Israelites to be oppressed by the Midianites for seven long years.

 In the Book of (Exodus 13:21-22), we can see God’s Divine Protection that He had given to the Israelites a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. This was a Symbol of His Faithful Protection in order to allow them to escape from their enemy Pharaoh whether day or night because of their obedience. But now because of disobedience in the Book of Judges the children of Israel are hiding from the Midianites. 

Since they have realized that God has given them over to their enemies, and the only covering they have now are dens, caves, and strongholds in the mountains.

Penalty For Israel's Sin:

In the Book of Deuteronomy, the penalty for sins and trespasses against God was given to the  Israelites, and it was still applicable in the Book of Judges when they refused to obey God. 

(Deuteronomy 8:19)“And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.”

Israelites Cried Out to God - Devastated and Hungry: 

Now Israel was reduced to poverty because of their enemies due to their disobedience to God. Once again the Children of Israel cried out to God for His Divine Deliverance and Peace. 

The Midianites, the Amalekites, and other neighbouring nations around them came and took their crops when it was ripe and time for harvesting. These enemies also took their sheep, oxen, and donkeys, and leave nothing for the Israelites to eat. Both crops and livestock were taken, and the children of Israel were reduced to poverty, hunger, and terrified so they escaped to the mountains to save their lives. 

 Now can you imagine this? You are a Christian living for God but somehow have backslidden into idolatry, refused to repent and turn. After hearing and listening to the word of God as it is Preached, but still refused to repent and turn from your sinful ways. 

God's Grace and Mercy have been patient with us but now God had decided to remove our blessings and all we can do is weep. How devastating and awful this would be. That is why it is good to seek the Lord God in prayer and repent before our sins find us out, and ask God for the strength to turn us away from that particular sin.

Conclusion:

Gideon Mighty man of Valour was very shy and doubted the call of God on his life when the Angel of the Lord told him to go in this might and save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Therefore, he answered the Angel saying wherewith shall I save Israel, look my family is poor in Manasseh, and I'm the least in my father's house.

Gideon saw himself as not worthy or qualified for the position, but he was quality in the eyes of God. When God chooses us to perform a task He already prepared us with all the necessities, His power, might, and authority. Therefore, we should step out in boldness and do as the Lord said.

Judges 6:17 “And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me a sign that thou talkest with me.”

We see here in Judges 6:17 how Gideon requested a sign from the Angel of God and he granted it unto Gideon. Later Gideon was convinced that he had seen the Angel of the Lord and the Lord blessed Gideon with His peace and assured him he will not die and also removed Gideon's fear. 

Gideon had obeyed the word of the Lord and had done all that was required of him. He also cast down the altar of Baal and cut down the grove that was by it, in order to restore true worship to the Children of Israel once again.

When we think about the goodness of God we are to Worship and Adore Him because God is no respecter of a person and God doesn't call the qualified but He qualifies the called. 

God has done this for Moses, Gideon and many more in the Bible and He will do the same for you. When the enemy says no God says yes because He already qualifies you for the next level of your promotion.