When the Time Comes – Gideon Part 4
In Part Three, we were permitted to witness a very personal and intense encounter between God and Gideon – the double test of the fleece. The reluctant chosen leader there found a renewed sense of confidence and self-assurance. As we heard on the Sunday of the Blind Man (John 9: 25), “One thing I know, that once I was blind but now I see” – so it was with Gideon. He arose from the fleece test to say, “I now know that God has chosen me to lead my people and will surely be with us through the battle”.
So “Gideon and all the people with him rose early and encamped at the spring of Harod (fear, trembling)” (Judges 7:11). We pause here to take note: When there is a battle to be waged in our life, it is best to get going early, when our mind is clear and our body rested. The distractions and fatigue of the day will draw down one’s ability to do his best, no matter what the adversary may be. Then, there is a certain natural tendency toward fear and trembling as the conflict draws near. However, trust in our leader and certainty that we are fighting a good fight promote courage and the will to go forward.
Just then, when it appeared that all was in readiness for the battle, God stepped in yet again. God had worked with Gideon to lift him from the pit of despondency (“I am the smallest in my father’s house. Why me?) and convinced him that “With God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). But now, another lesson must be learned if he would be successful.
Gideon must have been shocked when the Lord said, “The people with you are too numerous” (Judges 7:2). He went on to warn Gideon and his army of the danger of pride if they were victorious. With the army numbering 32,000 ready to fight, a victory over the Midianites could bring about a wave of boasting, “This is my own hand, it saved me” (Judges 7:2).They just might forget God altogether and exult in their own strength and ability!
Likewise, as we face the spiritual battles and even daily problems in our lives, we must be careful, that we do not fold under a sense of weakness and frailty. That often leads to an unwillingness to step out in faith – hesitating to trust in the guidance of God. At the same time, we must also be watchful against that dreadful spirit of pride which blinds us to our need for God’s power in life’s conflicts. We might put it another way: we dare not be content sitting on the bench, nor out there always spiking the ball!
The Lord then directed Gideon, “Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once” (Judges 7:3). They wouldn’t be useful. With that being said, 22,000 men retreated and Gideon’s army was reduced to 10,000. Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear is the friend of failure. The Psalmist David said, “The Lord is my light and my savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; whom shall I dread?” (Psalm 26:1).
But there was more to come. God saw that there were still too many. He set in place a test for watchfulness, discernment, alertness (Judges 7: 4-7). The key was in their eyes; those who kept their eyes fixed ahead, watching for the enemy, even while satisfying their thirst, were accepted. Those who knelt with their faces in the water, ignoring any possible danger lurking, were rejected. St. Peter wrote to his churches facing persecution, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). So, 97% of those tested were sent home, leaving only 300 to enter the battle.
That same night, the Lord gave Gideon and his “army” of 300 the go ahead. Along with that, He made an amazing promise: “Arise and go against the camp (of the Midianites), for I have delivered it into your hands” (Judges 7:9). We know that God is always good for His promises. There is no place more secure for us than “Standing on the Promises of God”.
Gideon then relayed the word of the Lord to his soldiers and divided his men into three companies. He then equipped each of them – strangely – with a trumpet, an empty pitcher and a torch to place in the pitcher. It sure didn’t look like the conventional weapons of warfare! But then, God’s kingdom is not of this world nor do His ways conform to the ways of this world. St. Paul reminded the church in Corinth: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (fleshly, material) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (II Corinthians 10:4).
After that, Gideon outlined the strategy for battle. “Watch me and do as I do; follow my example. I am following God’s orders”. They approached the camp carefully and quietly, surrounding it on every side. It was about midnight when they were in place. Then Gideon blew his trumpet, broke his pitcher and held his torch high. The dense darkness of the night was swept away as the three companies immediately followed his lead and in moments the hills were filled with blazing light!
The deep silence of the night was suddenly shattered by the blast of 300 broken pitchers, the piercing sound of 300 trumpets and the screams of the 300 soldiers who, in unison, shouted at the top of their voices, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon”!
The 300 trumpets, torches and shouts seemed more like 3000 to the sleeping Midianites. Being so abruptly aroused, they were thrown into a storm of confusion and disarray. Groping for their weapons, the Midianites began randomly slashing their fellow soldiers with their swords. With no sense of order nor control, everyone in the camp fled into the night – going anywhere and nowhere. Sensing the taste of complete victory, Gideon and his army did not stop and relish the moment (spiking the ball). Rather, they quickly pursued the fleeing enemy. In time, they captured and killed the Midianite rulers, Oreb (a swarm as mosquitos and flies) and Zeeb (a wolf). Oreb perished on a rock and Zeeb at his winepress (sound familiar?).
Do we now recall how the Midianites swarmed into the land of the Israelites year after year to destroy them and their crops? Do we now remember how the Midianites came as wolves to pray upon the people of Israel – to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10-14)?
When we are assaulted by swarms of temptations, ungodly passions, shameful habits, sinful thoughts or evil desires, they must be resisted and sent fleeing from us just as Gideon and the 300 stood against the Midianites. St. James wrote to his people, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Our Gideon is Jesus Christ Himself. When we are tested to be fearless and watchful, we are equipped with the trumpet of the holy Gospel, the light of life hidden in these earthen vessels of our mortal bodies, which, when broken by his love (Psalm 50:19), will so shine that others will glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
We must not rest on any initial victory in our battle against any temptation, passion, habit, thought or desire. No, we must pursue those enemies until they are smashed and slain as Oreb was. His end came on his rock. Our enemies can be slain on Christ, the rock of our salvation, and on our confession that He is the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16-18). We must, indeed, chase those enemies until they are trampled as Zeeb on the winepress, which before was the refuge of our fears (remember Gideon in hiding). They can no longer be allowed to steal, kill nor destroy our inheritance in Christ.
When the time comes for us, as it did for Gideon, let us answer the call of God and be an example for those around us.
Hopefully, the story of Gideon and these meager reflections thereon will inspire and encourage us to face the enemies that come our way time and time again. May we not shrink in fear nor in futility when the time comes. By God’s grace, may we put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13ff), stand against the attacks of the devil and, having done all, to stand.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Fr. Andrew
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