Gideon and the Three Hundred: Lesson Two

God calls a mighty man while he is hiding.

The angel of the LORD found Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress. He was hiding the grain from Midian.

Judges 6:11 (KJV): And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

The angel called him a mighty man of valour before Gideon did one brave thing. God names us by what He will make of us.

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

The LORD told him to go in the strength he had, and said it was God who sent him.

Judges 6:14 (KJV): And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

Gideon pointed to his weakness. His family was poor and he was the least in his father's house.

Judges 6:15 (KJV): And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

God did not argue about his weakness. He gave a promise: I will be with thee.

Judges 6:16 (KJV): And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

Scripture References

Judges 6:11
Judges 6:12
Judges 6:14
Judges 6:15
Judges 6:16