Judges 6

The Midianites were terrorists who oppressed God’s people for seven years. When the Israelites planted crops, these bad guys would rise up in numbers like locusts to destroy and plunder. They left the ground completely barren. They would swarm in on camels, cover the land, and leave the Jews with nothing…no sheep, no ox, no donkey, no nothing. It was a miserable time, and the Israelites cried out to God for relief.

Our story opens with a guy named Gideon hiding out in the winepress. Fearing the Midianites, he chose to thrash what little wheat he had in an enclosed area, well-hidden from the enemy. This activity would be the modern-day equivalent of cooking breakfast in the hall closet. Not very efficient, but this guy was scared. And that’s where the angel of the Lord found him.

Here we will pause for a public service announcement brought to you by God’s angels. It’s important that you have a proper visual. The creature that appeared before Gideon was not a naked, doe-eyed, chubby baby with wings and a cloth diaper. Angels in the Bible generally appear as powerful men who render humans trembling with fear. Precious Moments angel figurines are cute and look great in your curio cabinet, but they are not Biblically accurate. Now back to our regular programming…

The Israelites had cried out to God for relief, and God heard their cries. It was time for deliverance. The angel appeared in Gideon’s winepress to give him the news. The first thing out of the angel’s mouth was (get this), “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.”

Well that was a shocker, and Gideon no doubt looked around the room anxiously for someone else. Surely the angel wasn’t speaking to him! He was the youngest son from the weakest family in Mannasseh. Basically, Gideon was a coward from an insignificant family. How in the world could he be the one to deliver Israel?

The angel and Gideon went back and forth for a few verses. Gideon had to work out some doubt issues. In summary, Gideon started a discussion about his unremarkable family tree and lack of qualifications. Then he got some supplies for a meal. The angel did the cooking. An altar was built, an idol torn down, and a bunch of stuff went on about a fleece and dew and lapping water…but in the end, God’s word proved true. Gideon became a mighty warrior, the Midianites were defeated, and Gideon served as judge over Israel for 40 years.

God saw Gideon in the winepress, not as a coward with a poor pedigree, but for who Gideon could become with God’s help. God was able to use Gideon because, despite his initial doubts, Gideon chose to trust God. Gideon was an ordinary man. But he became a great warrior who brought peace and prosperity to the nation of Israel because he accepted and followed God’s calling.

What is God calling you? Are you a valiant warrior hiding out in the winepress? Stop questioning God and asking for signs. Grab a sword, believe God, and get to work.