“And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon…who by faith conquered kingdoms…” Hebrews 11:32-33 (excerpts) (NIV)
Welcome back to the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith. We have learned much about God-pleasing faith from some rather famous Hebrew patriarchs – Abraham, Moses, and Noah among them. Thankfully, one does not need a position of power or prominence to live a life of commendable faith. The next room in our museum tour provides an encouraging example.
During the time of the Judges, after God has used a foreign power to discipline Israel for its unfaithfulness, He called a “mighty warrior” to “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian.” (Judges 6:12b and 14). From his hiding place inside a wine press, Gideon replied “Look, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15).
What Gideon thought would disqualify him was likely the very reason he was selected. This event’s hero was to be God Himself. He made that plain by winnowing Gideon’s army from 32,000 to a mere 300 men. That “army” overpowered the Midianites and established a 40-year peace in the land. (Judges 8:28).
To more fully grasp the enormity of this event, let’s do some math. Midian’s forces numbered 135,000 (Judges 8:10). God called a non-soldier to lead a 32,000-man army that was initially outnumbered 4.2 to 1. After God’s first winnowing effort, Israel’s army was reduced to 10,000 men, one for every 13.5 Midianite soldiers. The final winnow left an army of 300, one for every 450 enemy warriors. The odds went from bad to impossible to suicidal. Yet, Israel prevailed. More importantly, God was glorified because the victory was clearly His doing.
How might we lawyers experience a Gideon-like calling? It may be a case where you are clearly outmatched and out resourced. Perhaps it will be a cause that, while just, is in the clear minority of public sentiment.
Regardless of whether we find ourselves in such situations, our goal must be to glorify God in our personal and professional lives. We should beseech His guidance in the battle and properly attribute victory to Him in the aftermath. If we obey the Lord and give Him the credit He is due, our lives can be a conduit for glorifying God and our faith will give Him great pleasure.
