Chap 8: Reflection

I have never served in the military ... but I HAVE sat through a number of military-themed movies (mainly because my dad had control of the remote at the the time).

So I confess I don't know a whole lot about military strategy. BUT one thing I am absolutely, positively sure of is this: you want as many people as possible on YOUR side and the fewest number of people on the opposing side.

It just makes sense. Throughout history, you always want the most soldiers on your side of the conflict. Always ... unless, God happens to be your General.

In chapter 8 of "The Story," we read first about God calling Gideon, saying to him, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (The Story, p. 108).  Which is kinda funny because Gideon is a simple farmer from the weakest clan in his tribe who needs not one but TWO fleece experiments to make sure God really meant what he said.

Gideon, quite understandably, has some concerns about the mission given to him, to save Israel from the grasp of the Midianites, who had recently joined forces with the Amelekites. And with "other eastern people." Gideon's concern: they're outnumbered.

And after voicing that concern to God, the Lord replies in return, "You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, 'My own strength has saved me.'"

Gideon thinks they don't have enough soldiers on their side; God thinks they have too many.

Per usual in these kinds of disagreements, God wins.

Through what must have been an early inspiration of how to "vote people off the island" (a la "Survivor" or "Big Brother"), the number of troops are reduced first by those who trembled in fear, then because of how they drink water ("The Story, p. 09-110). Gideon is left with 300 troops to face the mustered troops of multiple nations.

And you know what? At the end of the battle, Gideon and the tiny Israelite army are left standing victorious on the battlefield.

But not because of their strength.
Or their training.
Or their skill.
But because the Lord was with them.

Because the Lord was testing them "to see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their ancestors did" (The Story, p. 85).

Gideon and his little army were faithful and obedient, and they were rewarded for that.

It wasn't easy or convenient or comfortable to be faithful. In fact, the task at hand was so great that 22,000 trembled and were dismissed from duty. 10,000 were left. From there, the 10,000 was whittled down to 300.

300 soldiers whose hearts were tested and found pleasing to God.
300 soldiers who chose keep God's commands and to walk in the ways of their ancestors.

Perhaps ... perhaps when trials and difficulties come our way, instead of getting distracted by the numbers or the circumstances we could instead ponder that God might be testing us to see if we too will "keep the way of the Lord" and walk in a way that is pleasing to God. Maybe the outcome of the situation doesn't matter so much as the faithfulness of our hearts in the middle of the situation.

And maybe, as long as we can muster up even a little faith, God can do an awful lot. And it will be very obvious that our measly little pile of faith cannot accomplish such great things; it will solely be from the hand of God.

Chapter 8: Questions

A Few Good Men ... and Women

As always, feel free to answer questions in the comments (especially the "Digging Deeper" ones) and share any thoughts you might have about the "Personal Action." Or, let us know if YOU have a question!

CHECKING YOUR COMPREHENSION
1. What does God's choice of Deborah as judge during this time reveal about God's view of women?

2. Why does God often use weak and uncertain people like Gideon to do his work?

3. If you ever feel uncertain about your gifts and abilities, how could the story of Gideon encourage and strengthen you?

4. What reasons can you give for why the Israelites kept repeating their downward cycle of sin?

5. What was the root cause of Samson's fall? What was the result?

6. What are the strongest temptations that you face? How do you fight such temptations?

DIGGING DEEPER
Very often, there are consequences when we refuse to follow God's way. Why do you think we continue to repeat the same sin patterns even though we know the outcome will not be good?

One of the recurring themes in this chapter of "The Story" is that a new generation would rise up that did not know God and what he had done for his people in the past. When we forget what God has done for us in the past, we wander away from him. It still happens today. What PRACTICAL things can we do (in our homes and at church) to help the next generation know and remember what God did for them in the past so they will remember and hold on to him in the future?

PERSONAL ACTION
Read and ponder Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32. Read it so often that it sinks down into your bones. Pick out a couple of verses that are particularly meaningful to you, write them down, and put them somewhere you will see often. Let the message of this song remind you of God's goodness and our human temptation to fall back into the same sins over and over again.


This is a safe place to be able to share questions and fears and doubts. You can post using your name or not, whichever you prefer. And if you choose to respond to someone's comment, please be gentle with your words.