My Name Is Gideon...
My story is one of faith, doubt, and redemption...
Dear Fellow Believers,
I am Gideon, a figure you may remember from the Book of Judges in your Holy Scriptures. My story is not of a great and confident warrior, but rather one of a humble farmer who was called by God to deliver His people from the Midianites.
Born into the family of Joash from the tribe of Manasseh, I was the least in my father's house when the angel of the Lord first appeared to me. I was threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from the Midianites, when I received my divine calling. Despite my initial reluctance and doubts, God's patient reassurance led me to accept His call.
Before leading the Israelites against the Midianites, I was instructed to tear down my father's altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it and to build a proper altar to the Lord in its place. With the fear of God and my fellowmen, I did so at night. When my actions were discovered, God protected me, and the altar to Baal was not restored.
As I prepared to lead the Israelites into battle, I asked God for signs to strengthen my faith - the well-known incident of the fleece. God was patient with me and granted me these signs, further affirming His promise of victory. Despite our army being outnumbered, with just 300 men, we triumphed over the Midianites. It was not by our power or strategy, but by God's divine intervention that we were victorious.
After the victory, the Israelites wanted to make me their king, but I declined, saying that only the Lord would rule over them. However, I faltered in my later years, creating an ephod from the spoils of war, which became a snare to me and my family.
My story is one of faith, doubt, and redemption. It is a testimony to God's patient assurance, His power to use the least likely among us, and His victory despite insurmountable odds. Yet, it is also a cautionary tale, reminding us of the ease with which we can fall into idolatry and forget God's commandments.
I pray that as you walk in your faith, you remember my story. May it encourage you to rely on God's strength rather than your own, to seek His guidance when doubts arise, and to remain steadfast in His commandments.
In humility and faith,
Gideon