And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” – Judges 6:12, 14 (NKJV)
Read Judges 6:1-24. – Gideon was afraid. He was afraid of the Midianites (vs. 11) and he was also afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city (vs.27). In spite of his fear, he still found a way to “do” in both cases; hence the title, “mighty man of valor”.
Read vs. 25-35. How did Gideon move past his fear and find a way to obey God?
When Gideon pushed past his fears and found a way to obey God, then the Spirit of God came upon him (clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him) and motivated him into further action.
Read Judges 7: 1-3
32,000 men from the tribes of Asher, Zebulun, Naphtali and Manasseh came to Gideon to fight against the Midianites. The Lord said that this number was too many. Why?
What strategy did God use to filter out the men who he would use to assist Gideon in this fight? (vs.3)
– “Whoever is fearful (yare’ = fearing or afraid) and afraid (chared = trembling, shaking, shuddering with terror), let him turn and depart at once….”
All of the men, including Gideon (as we shall see later), were afraid. But 22,000 could not move past their fear. They allowed Fear to overpower them to the point where it affected not only their emotions but their bodies as well. Fear does not disqualify you from your assignment. Allowing fear to paralyze you is what causes the disqualification. Of the 32,000, only 10,000 could still stand in the face of Fear.
Read Judges 7:4-8
10,000 courageous men remained, but the Lord said that this number was still too many. What was the next strategy that the Lord use to filter this group of 10,000?
– “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself ….”
The 300 men who displayed dog-like characteristics were selected as the final group that would assist Gideon in gaining the victory over the adversary.According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “Dogs were used by the Hebrews as a watch for their houses (Isaiah 56:10), and for guarding their flocks (Job 30:1). There were also then, as now, troops of semi-wild dogs that wandered about devouring dead bodies. Dogs were seen as unclean and used as terms of reproach or of humiliation. Paul called false apostles “dogs” (Philippians 3:2). Those who are shut out of the kingdom of heaven are also called “dogs” (Revelation 22:15). Persecutors are called “dogs” (Psalm 22:16). Hazael called himself a “dog” (2 Kings 8:13).
The final choice of men met the criteria that the Lord was looking for as stated in Judges 7:2c – “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ Compare this with 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.“
Read Judges 7: 10-18
– Everytime Gideon pushed past his fear and obeyed God, God would give him further instructions for his next move.
–verse 10 – Gideon was still afraid but he was willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19). So God made a way for him to be encouraged – empowered with courage – so he could move even further past his fear. God pointed him to someone who could accompany him on his journey.
God knows how to encourage us so that we can banish our fears.
If Gideon was afraid throughout this whole account, why would the angel call him a mighty man of valor? Why not call him, ‘ye fearful one’? And what was Gideon’s might?
– The phrase ‘mighty man of valor’ was translated from the Hebrew word chayil which means to show oneself strong; to display valor, strength, ability, efficiency.
– Gideon, without a sword (see 7:20-22), went into battle, believing that they would win. His might and his sword was obedience to God’s directives, even in the face of fear. In doing so, he displayed valor – great courage in the face of danger.
DIG DEEPER:
1. The Blog Post – But I Am Afraid!
2. The Devotional – Prediction: Imminent Defeat!
3. The Prayer Room – Warfare Against Fear & Obedience conquers Fear