Gideon: God's Warrior

When we think about Gideon we may remember him as a warrior who led a small band of soldiers to defeat the Midianites. We also may think about him putting out a fleece, seeking a sign from God that he really was God’s chosen leader for a special mission. We think highly of Gideon because of what he did, and what God did through him, even reading a quick reference to him in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith. Gideon became a might warrior for God, but he did not start out that way.

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon in Judges 6:12, telling him “The LORD is with you, you mighty warrior.” When we read those words we may get the impression that he was a hotshot young general with a bright military future, the heir apparent to Israel’s next leader. But the text gives us a small clue that Gideon wasn’t exactly Joshua 2.0. The preceding verses say Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress to hide from the Midianties. The winepress was used to smash grapes, not thresh wheat. Gideon used a strategic location—a cave—because he was so scared of the Midianties. He hardly looks like a mighty warrior.

While we often use the phrase “put out a fleece” to refer to trying to discern God’s will, Gideon’s use of the fleece was more an act of fear. God already told him he would be used to defeat Midian “as if they were one man,” so the fleece was not necessary, especially when he put the fleece out the second night. Gideon did not need to discern God’s will, he just needed to obey it. Again, this doesn’t look like a warrior. And yet, that is exactly what God called him.

It is incredible that God called Gideon something that he wasn’t. Not yet. God knew that Gideon would become a warrior, but at the time he was scared, secretly threshing wheat in cave, and stalling when God called Him. I believe God looks at us and calls us what we can be, not what we are right now. What does God call you?

You may be a new believer, but God sees that you will one day be a mature Christian. You may not be serving in your local church, but God sees you teaching a class, driving a bus, or keeping the nursery. You may not feel like God can use you, but He knows exactly what He can do through you. He took a scared Gideon and turned him into a warrior; what can He do through you? Trust Him, and He might just amaze you.