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GIDEON (I)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
Judges 6:1-10

Jeremiah 7:21-28

 

“…to obey is better

than sacrifice…”

 

GIDEON (I)
 
Among the judges, Gideon is one whose account bears much detail. Three chapters are given to the account of Gideon, which is second only to Samson who has four chapters given to him. The account of Gideon also begins with an extensive account of the Midianite oppression.
 
“…the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian…” (Judg 6:1). The oppression of the Midianites seemed to have been characterised by raids in the land in which they plundered the Israelites. It was a fresh oppression after the previous ones, but also one that was novel and unlike the previous ones. This oppression led the children of Israel to seek refuge in dens and caves during the raids and periods of plunder. Their efforts brought no relief to them, and their poverty reminded them of the LORD, like in the case of the prodigal son, and turned them to seek His face again. Even for us, how true it is that distress is often an effective messenger to remind us of the LORD, His goodness to us in the past, and to both prompt us to pray and teach us to turn to God for help.
 
“That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel…” (Judg 6:8). Through the prophet, God opened their eyes to their “lostness,” reminded them of past favour and mercy from Him, and brought them to their knees and prayer. To their prayer, God responded with a message. Their turning to God seemed to be an act of desperation, a last resort, a grasping-at-straws effort. In the other accounts, we are told that when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer. Here we are told that when they cried unto the LORD, the LORD sent a prophet unto them. His message was one of condemnation, similar to the account of what took place at Bochim in Judges 2:1. Those who forget the past are bound to repeat it, and here they were given a lesson in history. They were once bondmen, they were once delivered. Every instance of bondage and oppression has found deliverance and reprieve from God alone! Every instance of bondage and oppression has had one cause, disobedience: “ye have not obeyed my voice” (Judg 6:10).
 
THOUGHT: Unwillingness to submit to God makes us unfit for His use.
PRAYER: “Master, speak and make me ready, when Thy voice is truly heard, with obedience glad and steady, still to follow every word.”

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