When the Time Comes – Gideon Part 2

Posted On May 5, 2020

Now we shall return to the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and 7. Having taken a look at where he was and where we are, we must now ask ourselves, “When the time has come, how will the Church rise and drive away those adversaries – physical, spiritual and emotional – that have oppressed us these past months”?

We first meet young Gideon as he was “threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide from the presence of the Midianites” (Judges 6:11).

Winepresses were commonly located in, or near, the center of vineyards in order to limit the distance from the grapevines. Being so situated, the winepress would be shielded by the rows of trellises and out of the sight of anyone outside the vineyard.

Conversely, the threshing floors – where grain heads/kernels were separated from the stalks – were commonly located out in the grain fields, for the same reasons as above.

Here, we find Gideon threshing grain in the winepress hoping to avoid detection by the Midianite thieves. It is likely that he had very little grain, so every kernel he could gather was valuable. It was a sad scene to be sure.

How surprised must Gideon have been when the Angel of the Lord (a term used many times in the Old Testament referring to the Son of God prior to His incarnation – not an angel, but the Angel) appeared to him at the winepress! Perhaps even more surprising was the Angel’s greeting: “The Lord is with you, mighty one of the armies!” (6:12).

Gideon’s response was certainly understandable. “If the Lord is with us, why have these evils come upon us?” (6:13). Herein, he expresses the frustration and dismay felt by many through the ages. That is, the Lord has done great things for others, but why not for us?

Gideon did not get a direct answer to his question, as often happens when we are complaining, envying others or questioning God. Instead, he was met with a call to action – to get up, get going and move forward. The Angel turned to him and said, “Go with this strength of yours, and you shall save Israel form the hand of the Midianites. Indeed, I have sent you” (6:14).

Another pause here; as we find ourselves in difficult circumstances – fearful, lonely, hopeless, despondent – how do we respond? Do we expect God to solve our problem, to do it all for us, to eliminate our adversity? Or, are we prepared to exert the strength He has given us and stand ready to follow His call? The prophet Isaiah did (Isaiah 6:8), the prophet Elisha did (3 Kingdoms 19:19-21), Peter, Andrew, James and John did (Matthew 4:18-22), the Apostle Paul did (Acts 9).

Well, Gideon quickly realized the right answer and his amazing journey began. True, he had some reservations and reluctance when looking at himself and the circumstances before him …. “How can I save Israel? There aren’t many of us … and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

Sometimes, it may seem to us that we Christians are much in the minority (which may be true in some places) or that we have so little voice in our society (which may also be the case at times). But, can we not recall that our forefathers were faced with as many, or even greater, odds in their time? In fact, some of the greatest periods of growth and influence in the Church occurred during times of persecution and tribulation. Tertullian, in the second century said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”. No, the Church is not defined by its numbers nor its status in this world. In all circumstances, “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). That One said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

For Gideon, that assurance came from the Angel clearly, “The Lord will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man” (6:16).

What happened then is most amazing and should be so familiar to every Christian. When Gideon heard the promise of the Angel, his first response was to bring an offering – a service of worship and thanksgiving. He prepared that offering and set it before the Angel Who touched it with His staff, accepted it and blessed it. How like our Divine Liturgy as we offer the bread and wine and the Lord receives it as His own!

Standing in awe and wonder, Gideon perceived that this was, indeed, the Angel of the Lord. He said, “O Lord, my Lord! For I have seen the Lord face to face”. Then the Lord said to him, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die” (6:22,23).

Ever since the Risen Christ appeared to His disciples in the upper room on the night of the Resurrection, gave them His peace and breathed upon them the Holy Spirit, the Church has no cause to fear, for death has been defeated. Because He lives, we shall live also. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. Glory to God!

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12). He is the One who is in our midst as we worship. He is our Good Shepherd. As He was to Gideon, so is He also to us.

Again, it appears that this has grown larger than I had anticipated, so it looks as if there shall have to be a Part Three. Hope this segment is somewhat helpful.

Fr. Andrew