Everyone loves an underdog. We have a hard time cheering for the giants and the super elite. There’s something special about seeing the little guy have his day. The story of Gideon is that of an underdog.
Israel, again, did evil in the sight of the Lord. For punishment, He gave Israel over to the Midianites. Part of the Midianite’s oppressive strategy, was to come and take Israel’s harvest each time they would plant and sow. In order to stave off future attacks, Israel built caves, dens and strongholds to hide out in. Needless to say, the land was greatly impoverished due to the Midianites.
If we were to choose a man to lead Israel’s armies, it’s more than likely we would choose the strongest man in the nation. We’d desire the most qualified and capable person to lead and fight the battle. Perhaps that is why we are so troubled with the Bible, we are too wrapped up with physical abilities. As we have seen time and again it’s that God calls servants, not heroes. He picks the weakest and not the strongest.
God comes to Gideon and calls him, “mighty man of valor.” Gideon didn’t see himself as a mighty anything, let alone a mighty man of valor. He was the least likely of candidates. He was just an obscure farmer who lived in the insignificant town of Orpah located in Mannaseh. Furthermore, he was part of the crowd that hid when the Midianites would show up. That doesn’t look like valor or might, if you’re asking me. But that’s exactly who God was looking for. God was looking for someone who didn’t trust in their own capabilities.
So what is the Lord going to do to help Gideon? Is the Lord going to give Gideon a huge army to lead? No, the Lord only allowed three hundred men to fight alongside Gideon. Is the Lord going to equip Gideon’s small army with superior armor and weapons? No, He’s only going to let them use trumpets and broken pitchers. God is also going to strike fear in Gideon’s enemies by having a man dream about a runaway barley cake!
The Lord employs feeble means to bring about victory for His people. Beloved, don’t you see that if He can use all of these frail, and weak instruments, that He can use you and me?