O mighty man of valor ∙∙
The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” – Judges 6:12
Judges 6:1-40
1 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight. So the LORD handed them over to the Midianites for seven years.
6 So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help.
8 The LORD sent a prophet to the Israelites. He said, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of slavery in Egypt.
9 I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land.
10 I told you, “I am the LORD your God. You must not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now live.” But you have not listened to me.
11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah . . .. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, “Valiant warrior, the LORD is with you!”
13 Gideon replied, “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
16 The LORD said to him, “I will be with you.”
17 Gideon replied, “If you are truly going to help me, show me a sign to prove that it is really the LORD speaking to me.
34 Then the Spirit of the LORD took possession of Gideon . . ..
36 Then Gideon said to God, “If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised,
37 prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.”
38 And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, “Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew.”
40 So that night, God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew.
What is Low Self-Esteem?
Low self-esteem is characterized by a negative perception of one’s self-worth and value. It often manifests as:
- Lack of Confidence: Doubting one’s abilities and decisions.
- Negative Self-Image: Viewing oneself as inadequate or unworthy.
- Feelings of Inadequacy: Struggling with identity, capability, and belonging.
Self-esteem is more than just feeling good about ourselves. It involves understanding and valuing our own worth. This consists of acknowledging our thoughts, emotions, and strengths, while also embracing our dreams and goals. Self-esteem is the foundation of our confidence, helping us face life’s challenges. It fosters resilience, enabling us to accept our flaws and learn from our experiences.
Gideon’s Struggle with Self-Esteem
Gideon exemplifies someone who struggles with low self-esteem. When the angel of the Lord appeared to him, he responded timidly, Judges 6:15, “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
Gideon saw himself as weak and insignificant. He doubted his ability to fulfill God’s call and questioned why the Father would choose him.
Gideon exhibited several symptoms of low self-worth:
- Lack of Confidence: He doubted his ability to lead.
- External Locus of Control: He believed his circumstances were beyond his control.
- Worry and Doubt: He questioned God’s presence and promises.
- Negative Self-Talk: He referred to himself as the least in his family.
- Fear of Failure: He hesitated to act without repeated confirmation.
Gideon’s self-perception was in stark contrast to the Father’s evaluation of him.
God’s Perspective vs. Our Perspective
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he greeted him with a title that seemed completely out of place: Judges 6:12, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
At the time, Gideon, who was hiding from the Midianites in a winepress threshing wheat. He hardly seemed like a hero. Instead, he was a coward struggling with an inferiority complex. This encounter is at once embarrassing and humorous. Gideon was skeptical and cynical. For all practical purposes, Gideon was the last man in Israel that the Father should have called to deliver the people.
However, the Father saw him in light of what he would become, “mighty man of valor.” Gideon’s mediocre self-assessment and feelings of weakness and inadequacy were entirely different from the Father’s perspective. This highlights that while we often view ourselves through our limitations, God sees our potential through His strength, knowing that our adequacy comes from Him.
And that is the point of the story.
Do We Need Proof to Believe What God Tells Us?
Gideon had heard the stories of the miracles the Father had performed for His people. But he had never experienced one. He wanted “proof.”
Judges 6:13 Gideon replied, “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The LORD brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
Gideon had heard the stories of the miracles the Father had performed for His people. But he had never experienced one. He needed “proof.” He is saying to the angel of the Lord, “Show me a miracle, and I will believe.”
Pause for a moment and imagine being in Gideon’s position. He had never encountered the presence of the living God, and suddenly an angel appeared with a profound mission. How would you respond?
REFLECT & PRAY
As children of the King, our strength comes from the Father, not ourselves. When we depend upon Him, we tap into His boundless power and wisdom. Stanley comments, “When the Spirit of the living God fills us, ‘impossibilities’ become possible.”
Father, thank You for being present with me. Thank You that when I am weak, I am made strong.
INSIGHT
Disobedience and Decline
The events in Judges 6 occurred during a period of spiritual decline in Israel. The Israelites turned away from God to worship false gods like Baal. As a consequence, God allows the Midianites to oppress them for seven years, causing poverty and starvation. This reflects the recurring cycle of sin and drifting from God that is characteristic of the Book of Judges. In their desperation, the Israelites cry out to God for help. He sends the angel of the Lord to Gideon, who is hiding and fearful. The angel complements Gideon, calling him a mighty man of valor. Gideon responds. “Who me?”
Some deliverer!
Gideon’s Transformation
Gideon’s journey from fear and doubt to faith was a gradual one; he struggled with insecurity and a lack of confidence in himself and God.
The Midianites caused great devastation and impoverishment. The people were emotionally overwhelmed. They were devastated and lost confidence in God. Gideon heard the stories of God’s wonderful works, but what had He done lately? Gideon challenged the angel of the Lord, Judges 6:13, “If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? . . . But now the LORD has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”Gideon wanted assurance that God would deliver the people, so he asked for a sign to confirm it.
The Fleece Test
In Judges 6:16, “The LORD said to him, ‘I will be with you.’” That’s great news, but so what! Doubters don’t want promises; they want proof!
In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon asks God for signs to confirm His promise to help him rescue Israel. He first places a fleece on the threshing floor, requesting that the fleece be wet with dew while the ground remains dry. God fulfills this request. Unsatisfied, Gideon asks for another sign, this time for the fleece to be dry while the ground is wet. God again complies, demonstrating His reassurance to Gideon.
Finally, Gideon was ready, and you know the rest of the story.
A Word about Fleece
Children of the King often misunderstand the significance of Gideon’s fleece. It’s important to remember two key points about this incident. First, Gideon was not seeking guidance from the fleece, as God had already instructed him on what to do. Instead, he was looking for confirmation and assurance of success.
MacDonald cautions that those who use the phrase “putting out a fleece” to seek the will of God in a specific matter are misinterpreting the passage.
Second, Gideon asked for a supernatural sign that could only occur through God’s direct action. Today, many people use everyday events as their “fleece,” which can occur naturally without any divine involvement.
God Uses the Inadequate to Accomplish the Impossible
The story of Gideon reminds us that God does not call the qualified; God qualifies the called. He often chooses the weak, the fearful, and the inadequate to accomplish His purposes. 1 Corinthians 1:27, “God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”
Success in the Father’s kingdom does not come from physical strength or human ability. It comes from dependence on Him.
Zechariah 4:6, “It is not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”
When we rely on the Spirit of God, the impossible becomes possible.
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© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 