When the Time Comes – Gideon Part 3

In the previous parts, we found the people of Israel in a time of great distress. Their adversaries had invaded and ravaged their land, stolen and/ or destroyed their crops. The people were scattered, fearful and hiding. However, God had not forsaken them; He heard their prayerful cries and would come to their aid.

The divine plan began to unfold when the Angel of the Lord appeared to young Gideon, who himself was hiding in the winepress while threshing what little wheat he had. To Gideon’s amazement, the Angel informed him that he was to be the one to save Israel from the Midianites.

The time had come and God’s people were about to arise from their despair and distress. Remember the paralytic by the pool (John 5) whose time had come and that command of Jesus, “Rise, take up your bed and walk” brought him a renewed spirit. So it was with Gideon and so it must be for the Church in our day. When the time comes, may we, like Gideon “rise, shine and give God the glory”!

Returning now to Judges 6:36ff: Gideon is still somewhat uncertain that he is up to the task. “Am I the one God has chosen to lead the people?” Unconvinced, and perhaps yet fearful, he makes yet another plea to confirm what he has heard from the Angel of the Lord. This time, he speaks to God. Quite boldly, he proposes a test to give him the assurance that this is for real. He would place a piece of wool on the threshing floor asking that it be moistened with dew while the surrounding ground is left dry. Ah, then he would be sure. Well, that happened —- God did His part, but Gideon still hesitated. Remember the Holy Apostle Thomas, the Holy Apostle Peter and the Holy Apostle Paul, all of whom had to be taken through several periods of testing. But when they got it, they were all in!

Once again, Gideon asked for some proof. This time, afraid he might be overstepping his bounds, he apologized and prayed for God’s patience with him. He then asked that the fleece be left dry while the ground was wet with dew. Again, our loving God (who knows all about the thoughts of our hearts) looked at Gideon’s heart and did as he asked.

Finally, the servant was willing and the leader prepared. Gideon had heard the call of God; the preparation for the battle could begin.

As Christians, we know that God has sent us a leader, Christ Jesus, to deliver His people from all adversaries. Likewise, like Gideon and his army, the Church is called upon to stand against the powers of darkness in this world. She is here to share hope, value life, seek the lost, tell the good news. Yes, we are, indeed, the ones chosen by God (I Peter 2:9) to rise from the winepress, gather with the likeminded faithful, stand with the fearless, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10ff) and engage in this critical battle against the evils that pervade this world in our time. We may not think we are capable or called or convinced, but we’ll see how it worked out for Gideon in Part Four.

Fr. Andrew