Gideon: God Uses Unlikely People

Gideon: God Uses Unlikely People
Monday, June 17, 2024 by Melissa McLaughlin

I was sailing down the highway to an appointment when traffic stopped. Cars piled up and came to a standstill. I leaned forward scanning the scene to locate the cause.

Minutes ticked by and still nothing. Finally, I noticed a man straining to move a heavy load of turf across the highway. The roll was about 12 feet long, wound unevenly, and tied with a rope. I could only imagine the weight of this bundle.

Slowly he made his way, heaving this burden across the highway.

Once the roadblock was removed, he hopped in his run-down, compact car and zipped down the highway. The traffic resumed. A few miles down the road, I observed a big rig hauling a load of turf pulled over. The truck driver stared behind.

The unknown man single-handedly cleared the highway of the truck’s fallen freight so traffic could continue safely. Because of this unsung hero, I made my appointment on time and avoided collisions. His determination and resourcefulness were memorable.

This incident reminded me of a man from the Bible who thought he was too insignificant to be used by God. That man is Gideon.

God Uses Gideon

In Judges 6-8, we read of the Midianites and other nations oppressing the Israelites, by coming against them, devouring their crops, and stripping the land through widespread encampment of their people and livestock. The Israelites resorted to hiding in caves and mountains. The enemy forces were starving the Israelites and left no sustenance for them.

Gideon’s story picks up in Judges 6:11, where Gideon is found threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.

For years I misunderstood this verse, thinking Gideon was threshing wheat in a cowardly manner. However, during a recent reading of this passage, I realized Gideon was in fact a determined and resourceful man.

The Scripture does not directly state how Gideon came to possess the wheat. Yet, we can infer if the enemy witnessed Gideon’s threshing openly, the grain would have been confiscated.

There stood Gideon, single-handedly attempting a small, brave act.

What follows is nothing short of breathtaking. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, saying, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12).

Gideon questioned the Angel, asking if the LORD was still with them, why they were defeated and oppressed by enemy nations. The LORD assured Gideon to go in the strength he had. Gideon would save Israel from the Midianites, because the LORD sent him.

Gideon asked how he could save Israel, explaining his clan was the weakest and he was the least in his father’s house.

The LORD declared He will be with Gideon to defeat the Midianites.

Gideon requested a sign. He prepared an offering of goat meat, broth, and bread and presented it to the Angel of the LORD by placing it on a rock. The Angel touched the offering with His staff, and fire arose from the rock consuming the offering. Suddenly, the Angel of the LORD disappeared.

At this point, Gideon recognized he had seen the LORD and feared for his life. But the LORD said, “Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die (Judges 6:23).”

Gideon’s faith was bolstered, and he followed God’s command to destroy the altar of Baal and gather God’s people to fight the Midianites.

Gideon asked God for two more signs before he took full responsibility for leading the Israelites. God prevailed and prepared Gideon to become the man of valor he was so named by God.

Before advancing, however, the LORD reduced Gideon’s army to 300 men, so the victory would belong to God alone. Eventually, Gideon led the Israelites to defeat the Midianites and ushered in 40 years of peace.

God Uses Unlikely People

There are many lessons we can learn from Gideon. However, one point is unmistakable. God uses the unlikely. He uses simple people in hidden places, unknown to others, but seen by God. He can use one brave man to clear an entire freeway for people to drive safely. He can use one bold man threshing wheat to rescue a whole nation.

God doesn’t need the masses to accomplish His plans. He doesn’t need government leaders, hi-tech gadgets, or systems of the world. God uses unlikely people who are willing to follow Him.

We may feel our clans are weak and we are the least in our families. But God commands us to go in the strength we have. For He is God. He supplies the might and He brings the peace.

Are you facing challenges today? Remember, God is with you. God looks upon the heart. He sees you and me. He calls us to rise up and become who He made us to be.

Hallelujah! Through Christ, our victory is won. As we follow Him, may we become men and women of valor for His kingdom. May we let the One who made us define us.

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