I suppose it falls upon my shoulders to close out this topic. This topic was a tough one for me. I had so many choices as to who inspires throughout the Bible. There are the classics like David and Paul, the lesser known but equally important ones like Aaron and Barnabus, the all around awesome like Daniel, Moses, and John the Baptist. Yet, in the end, I couldn't help but pick the righteous and faithful Gideon. *cue applause*
Ever since I was a young lad in Sunday School, the story of Gideon always appealed to me. I was a stickler for the battles in the Bible, and Gideon was no different. Here was this average guy who was able to take hordes of well equipped men without using any weapons. This dude was AMAZING! Of course, as I grew older, I came to realize without his well placed faith in God, this guy would've toast. No joke. The Midianites probably would have toasted them over a campfire or something. Those Midianites...
Anyway, to truly understand why I love the story of Gideon, I suggest you read the story (Judges 6-8). If you don't own a Bible and just reading this blog for fun, I suggest you download a Bible app of the Apple store (it should be free) or just look for it online. Who knows? You could end up liking it.
To start off with, Gideon was known as a man of faith. Countless times, God asked him to perform tasks that seem impossible and dangerous (tearing down the statue of Baal, taking on an army of the ruthless Midianites using trumpets and clay jars) and although Gideon did question God's motives at times, he ended up performing these tasks and ended being regarded as a hero of Jerusalem.
One key event that demonstrates how faithful Gideon was to God is when he tears down the alter to Baal his father had built. Now to put this in perspective, imagine your father loved a particular sport team. He spent so much time watching their games that built a man cave all about this team. One day, God sends an angel and tells you that this man cave has got to go so your father can focus more on God. You have to trash and ruin the place so he can no longer use it. Imagine how angry and betrayed your father would be when it was all said and done. No one would want to face their dad like that. Back in Gideon's times, they would've killed him. But, Gideon ignores all of this and tears down the alter to Baal. Naturally, when people find out, they're outraged. People march down to Gideon's house and tell his father what happened. They want Gideon dead. I imagine Gideon's very fearful for his life as well. However, his father manages to subdue the crowd. He tells them they shouldn't kill Gideon because if Baal is truly a god, he'll seek justice on Baal himself. But since Baal was a false god and idol, this never happens. So guess what? Gideon's still alive! Because Gideon put his faith in God, he's still alive. It's a pretty nice story as to how God will even everything out in the end, whether it be in this life or when we finally see him in Heaven.
Anyway, this isn't the only time Gideon puts his faith in God and prevails. Now it's time to talk about this biggest part of the story in the story of Gideon, the epic showdown with the Midianites. To start off with Gideon only had a twenty thousand or so men. Then God tells him to start testing his men, and (I won't go into detail, you can read for yourself) Gideon ends up with three hundred men unarmed men against thousands and thousands of well trained and equipped Midianites. That's like a level two Cloud trying to take on Sephiroth from the start. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! Or so it seems. Gideon and his men go to the Midianite camp in the night armed with trumpets and clay jars with torches inside. They blow on their trumpets and smash their jars and shout "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" All of the Midianites awaken and are scared. They begin to kill each other and run away. The armies of Israel pursue them, and next thing you know, Israel has their land back.
To begin with, I think the story of Gideon is so epic! It demonstrates the power of God and the power of our faith. Gideon was able to use this faith and trust in God and take out one ruthless army. Talk about a story for the underdog (which I always root for). Anyway, the faith of Gideon aside, I feel connected to Gideon. Whenever I feel stressed or worried, I don't even consider praying to God. I only focus on what unwelcome task that lies before me. And sometimes, I do question. I wonder if God truly loves us and why bad things are happening to me. But in the end, I study the word of God (whether it be at church or by myself) and pray and I feel so at ease. Like nothing life throws my way will phase me because I've got God on my side and you have God on your side. Never be afraid of what life throws you because your now one step closer to being with him. I'd like to imagine this is how Gideon felt. Truly connected with God and on top of the world. Oh my, what a wonderful feeling.
Freshly yours,
Honeybagel
No comments:
Post a Comment