COME TO THE WATER

Last Tuesday, my daily Bible reading took me to the book of Judges. As I was reading chapter six this story jumped out at me. It is the story of the oppression of Israel by the Midianites and the deliverance at the hand of Gideon. It is an amazing example of the strength of a few people who are blessed by the Lord.

As the chapter opens the people of Israel have been oppressed for seven years. Not only were they enslaved, but the Midianites came into their farmland when the crops were ready for harvest and either steal or destroy the harvest so that the Israelites literally had nothing to eat or fed their animals.

When things got so bad that they were impoverished, they cried out to the Lord. (Verse 6) To make the story short, an angel was sent to Gideon who was secretly threshing wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. Thorough a series of miraculous events, Gideon was convinced he was chosen by God to deliver his people out of this oppression.

In chapter seven Gideon sends a message to the armies of Israel to gather and prepare for battle. It is not surprising that 33,000 men came to fight. It was at this time that the Lord told Gideon he had too many for the conflict. All who were fearful should return home. Without a word 22,000 went home and only 10,000 remained. (Can you imagine?)

Much to Gideon’s surprise the Lord again tells him he has too many. The Lord instructs Gideon to take the men down to the water and have them drink from the stream. Those who used their hands to pick up the water and drink from their hands were to remain and the rest were to go home. Now Gideon has but 300 men to fight against the huge army of Midian.

Well we know the result. These 300 men were used by God to defeat the enemy. It is amazing what God can do with the few. It took only 12 men (apostles) to take the Gospel to the world in less than thirty years. (Col. 1:23) God chose one man (Paul) and a few companions to take the Gospel to the entire Gentile world. (Acts 9:15,16) The apostle John challenged the early Christians not to be afraid, greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) It is a fact, with God the few can win any battle. (Rom. 8:31-19) All it requires is faith in God and submission to His will.

Bill