When Less is More – Week One

The Old Testament tells the story of an ordinary man and his impressive God. Well, actually, it records numerous accounts with this same storyline, but today I want to look at one example – Gideon. 

A little about Gideon’s background – he is an Israelite during a time when Israel had turned from God. We know his father practiced idol worship, owning both an altar to the false god Baal and a statue to Asherah. In response to His people’s rejection during this time, God allows the enemy nation Midian to oppress Israel. The Bible explains, “Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the Lord.” (Judges 6:6 NASB) 

When we first meet Gideon, he threshing wheat under an oak tree – an everyday task in an everyday place. But in the mundane, the extraordinary happens. The angel of the Lord appears. Many scholars believe the phrase “the angel of the Lord” indicates an Old Testament appearance of Jesus. Interestingly, here in Judges 6, we see this name used interchangeably with “the Lord.” In a time in history when God seems absent and rarely reveals Himself, he converses with Gideon. 

God greets Gideon by declaring him a “valiant warrior” and appoints him to deliver Israel. Also, Gideon is given a challenge – to pull down his father’s altar and turn it into an altar for God. Then, he is to sacrifice one of his fathers’ bulls right then and there. 

Gideon is just an ordinary man. As far as we know, he is not a leader or influencer, and now he is charged with an action sure to provoke controversy. Gideon’s response shows both his faith and his humanity. He boldly obeys God, but in an attempt to stay under the radar, he does it in the dark of night. 

No surprise, the men of Gideon’s city are upset and want retaliation. However, Gideon’s father defends him by declaring that if Baal is a god, he can protect himself. 

What happens next amazes me. Suddenly, Gideon is full of God’s Spirit – he blows a trumpet, sends out messengers to neighboring tribes, and begins to gather an army. 

Again, the Biblical account reveals a mixture of faith and humanity. While the army is gathering, Gideon shows his doubt by begging God for a sign. Even though Gideon has seen God face to face, heard His command, and seen His deliverance – he needs more. Two nights in a row, Gideon tests God with a fleece. One night the requested sign is a wet fleece on dry ground; the next is a dry fleece on wet ground. God concedes and performs the signs for Gideon. Then, Gideon rises, ready to lead the army into battle.

I love Gideon’s story because it reminds me that God uses ordinary people to display His love and power. Instead of choosing the most impressive man, he chose a simple man full of fear, questions, and doubts. But in that, God was magnified. Anyone who saw Gideon’s victory knew Someone greater was at work. 

In his communication to the Corinthian church, Paul challenges them to consider their calling. “There were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to shame the things which are strong.” (I Corinthians 1:26-27)

In God’s economy, less is most often more. 

Are you feeling weak? Maybe God wants to show off His strength. Are you feeling tired and weary? Perhaps God is ready to do a new work. Are you feeling less than, not enough, or lacking? What if this is God’s platform to declare His wisdom and character.

Remember, the God who saw Gideon – an ordinary man, doing routine work, in a nation that had forsaken Him? That God is the same God today. And just like His Spirit can fill up a man like Gideon, His Spirit can fill up a person like you. God doesn’t need you or me to have it all together – He needs us to obey Him and walk by faith.