Character Study: GIDEON
Most of us want to know God’s plan for our lives, but we are not always sure how to find it. One common misunderstanding is the idea that God’s guidance will come to us out of the blue, that it has nothing to do with what we are doing now. Truth is if we are always looking around for God’s next assignment, we run the risk of ruining whatever we’re working on right now. In the Bible, we find descriptions of how God guided many people and how God’s call came while people were completely immersed in the challenge of the moment. A good example of this kind of guidance is seen in the life of Gideon.
Gideon had a limited vision, but he was committed to it. His challenge was to obtain food for his family even though hostile invaders were making the growing, gathering and preparation of the food almost impossible. He was resourceful as he put a wine press to a dual use as a threshing floor well hidden from the Midianites. Gideon had his weak moments and failures, but he was still God’s servant.
*Strengths and Accomplishments*
1. Israel’s 5th judge
2. A member of the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11
3. He defeated the midianite army
4. He was offered a hereditary kingship by men of Israel
5. Though slow to be convinced, acted on his convictions. The angel had to overcome 3 objections before Gideon was convinced. Once convinced, however, he obeyed with zest, resourcefulness, and speed.
6. He dedicated his personality traits to God, with whom he was now personally acquainted.
*Weaknesses and Mistakes*
– Feared that his own limitations would prevent God from working
– He collected the Midianite gold and made a symbol that became an evil object of worship
– Through a concubine, he fathered a son who would later bring great grief and Tragedy to both Gideon’s family and the nation of Israel
– He failed to establish the nation in God’s ways; after he died they all went back to idol worship.
Lessons from his life
1. God calls in the middle of our present obedience. As we are faithful, He gives us more responsibility.
2. God expands and uses the abilities He has already built into us.
3. God uses us in spite of our limitations and failures.
4. His diplomacy and wisdom in handling the Ephraimites. criticism averted any further conflict with them
5. Even those who make great spiritual progress can easily fall into sin if they don’t consistently follow God.
Our passing shot from the life of Gideon is to remember him as a man who obeyed God by giving his attention to the task at hand. If we can give full attention to believing, God will prepare us for tomorrow when it comes.
