A Poor Man Is Promoted
by Irvin Rozier

Gideon Saves Israel From the Midianites

Judges 6 verse 12: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."

Gideon was threshing wheat, hiding it from the Midianites when the angel of the LORD appeared unto him and gave him divine direction and a mission. Gideon asked the angel if the LORD be with us, then why is all of this happening to us (the Midianites had been their enemies for seven years)? Judges 6 verse 6 says "And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD." Crying unto the LORD involves earnest and heartfelt prayer. The LORD heard their prayers and sent a prophet who reminded them that the LORD had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of all that had oppressed them, yet they worshipped the gods of the Amorites instead of obeying the LORD's voice. Yes, the LORD was compassionate and still loved Israel despite their disobedience.

The LORD went on to tell Gideon that he would be the one to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. The LORD told Gideon "have not I sent thee?" Please note that Israel was hemmed in and no man or woman was their leader or no man or woman could lead them to deliverance unless sent by God. Gideon heard these words and was flabbergasted! He said, "How can I save Israel? My family is poor and I am the least in my father's house." The LORD confirmed the call of Gideon, saying "Surely I will be with thee". Gideon was still doubtful and asked the LORD to show him a sign that it was God talking with him. He still couldn't believe that the Lord would call him for this dangerous mission...why didn't the LORD call someone richer or better educated or someone with more prestige? I believe it is because God looks on the heart and man looks on the outer appearance. Calling Gideon for this job would be like having an ordinary middle class or poor American becoming President of the United States of America. Impossible with men but possible with God.

Gideon went on in the power of the LORD and fulfilled his divine call. He still was doubtful and asked the LORD to confirm his mission by putting out a fleece. The LORD honored Gideon's request and did so (Judges 6 verses 36-40). Gideon went on to defeat the Midianites in a miraculous way with a small number of men...because the LORD was with him. It is also interesting to note in the days of Gideon the country was in quietness (peace reigned). He went on to have many children and lived to an old age, yet after he died, the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God and went a whoring after Baalim.

Does the LORD God still call "Gideons" this day? I believe he still raises up His men and women in answers to prayers. God still is in control of the affairs of the world and He promotes whosever He will.

Psalm 75 verses 6, 7 "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."

Copyright 2008 Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with the Lord, US Army, Chaplain of American Legion Post 181..website to song and video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lseFgH7XumU  http://www.youtube.com/user/walkin2e

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com







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