The end of Gideon’s heroic life is one of the sadder stories in the Bible.

You see, Gideon had led Israel in battle against their oppressors and had restored order and prosperity to the nation. They wanted to elect him as ruler over their country, but Gideon, knowing where his victories came from, declined:

He told Israel that God would be their leader, not him.

I love Gideon’s heart here. But then something shifted: Gideon asked them men to offer up their golden earrings as payment for Gideon’s conquest. So Gideon comes off with this large haul of gold, melts it down, and makes an ephod with it.

Who cares, you might ask?

Gideon, Fighting for What's GoodNathan WestwickApril 24, 2024Blessings, Career, TemptationComment

Gideon Part 3: Your Army is Too Big

Imagine Gideon’s path—from hiding in a winepress, to getting a call to lead his country in battle, to asking for God’s confirmation, and then finally mustering troops to bear arms and fight.

32,000 men said yes to Gideon’s leadership. 32,000 were prepared to fight against Midian, for the sake of their freedom and for the freedom of their families.

32,000 men who were willing to fight 120,000 Midianites—all because Gideon had faith that God would keep His promises and give Israel victory.

If I’m Gideon, I would be tempted to go back to the winepress and ask someone else to lead. After all, who wants to take those odds when you consider the troop count?

But Gideon stays, and God speaks:

“Your army is too big.”

Gideon, FaithNathan WestwickApril 9, 2024Anxiety, How God Sees Us, Questions, Risk-Taking, Stepping OutComment

Gideon Part 2: The Fleece

Gideon’s fleece may be one of the more colloquially quoted stories that Christians use. You see, Gideon was called out by the angel of God as a mighty warrior—one who would lead Israel against the Midianites (the ones stealing all of their food). But like you or me, Gideon was afraid.

Afraid he might not have what it takes to lead a country in battle. He was a man of faith, but even the mighty warriors feel inadequate when God calls.

It’s what makes us human.

But the good news is that God knows this.

GideonNathan WestwickApril 9, 2024Faith, My Own Shortcomings, Playing It Safe, QuestionsComment

Gideon Part 1: Arise, Mighty Warrior!

Imagine living in an agricultural society, working hard to grow crops to feed your family, only to have those crops stolen again and again, with your family left to go hungry. Understandably, this would wear on a person, and you would likely rise up in anger, seeking to enact justice on those who are stealing from you.

But imagine that those stealing from you are much more powerful, much more forceful, and any time someone tries to speak up or fight for their rights, they get squashed so that the rest of the community will get the message and fall back in line.

This is the environment Gideon grew up in.

His solution? He hid.

Gideon, Overcoming FearsNathan WestwickApril 2, 2024Adventure, Desperation, Fighting On, IdentityComment

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