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GIDEON (II)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21
Judges 6:12-24

Deuteronomy 28:15-26

 

“…if thou wilt not hearken unto the

voice of the LORD thy God…”

 

GIDEON (II)
 
The LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel to rebuke them and remind them of their covenant with God and of their disobedience. The Angel of the LORD also appeared to Gideon. God chooses men, and God knows where to find the men He desires to use. In the call of Gideon, we find many lessons on God’s dealings with men, especially in relation to the call to service. First, we see the Sovereignty of God in the call.
 
“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him…” (Judg 6:12). The call of Gideon is introduced by the presence of the LORD. In Judges 6:11, the Angel of the LORD came and sat where Gideon was at work (fearful, but not slothful, industrious even in difficult times). In verse 12, the Angel of the LORD announced Himself with a greeting, and the greeting spoke of the divine presence of God with Him. God’s work is done in the power and strength of God and therefore there is none that can do the LORD’s bidding unless God is with him. In verse 16, Gideon’s commission and success were hinged on one reason alone: the presence of the LORD. Gideon’s prayer and devotion in verses 17 to 21 revealed to him the presence of God such that Gideon was terrified. After being strengthened and comforted by God, he built an altar and named it Jehovah-shalom.
 
The sovereignty of God is also seen in His dealing with Gideon. The Angel of the LORD said to him, “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (Judg 6:12). This was said to a man hiding while threshing wheat. God was going to make Gideon a mighty man of valour. He chose and sent Gideon not because of any trait or value in Gideon, but because as God, He is able to use, and had chosen to use, Gideon despite and in spite of all his weaknesses. Gideon’s response was a complaint, but the LORD simply confirmed the call and commission to Gideon: “Go in this thy might,” and again “have not I sent thee?” (Judg 6:14).
 
THOUGHT: “God calling yet! Shall I not hear? He calls me still; can I delay?”

PRAYER: “O Jesus, Lord and Saviour, I give myself to Thee.”

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