Harsh, oppressive conditions and extreme poverty _ can lead to discouragement and disempowerment. Gideon was in that state when God calls him Through the word of affirmation and presence of Yawheh The Lord is with you mighty warrior 6:12 Gideon is empowered to see beyond Israel’s hopeless condition and Gideon says Lord is peace 6:24

At the same time God seemed to make Gideon’s job more difficult. He reduced his army from 32000 to 300. If an army so outnumbered were to win, that would prove beyond doubt that God was in charge.

God knew Gideon ‘s hidden potential and transforms him to be a courageous person. Overnight Gideon became a strong general . Gideon and his 300 men went down to Midianite camp and attacked them and routed and chased them.

God chose Gideon to save the Israelites, God chose Deborah to lead., Jephthah another judge who was a social outcast, God chose him to lead God chose Israel a small weak, uncultured, slave tribe to be His people. and did great things to them to show His glory to the world.

Paul says in 1 Cor 1;26_31 Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were influential, not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things. . . . so that no-one may boast before Him. . . . let him who boasts boast in the Lord

Cynthia Sathiaraj
Chennai