The experiences spiritual of Gideon

"Gideon said to God : If you want to save Israel by my hand, as you said, behold, I put a fleece of wool in the threshing floor : if the dew is on the fleece alone ... then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand." Judges 6. 36, 37

"And it came to pass, that the LORD said unto him, Arise ; Go down to the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand ... and you will hear what they say, and then your hands will be strengthened." Judges 7: 9-11

The Book of Judges highlights men chosen and trained by God to deliver His people. He clothed them with authority and power. But these men must make experiments with God, like Gideon. Let us see how God forms this servant to his mission and encourages it.

On the commandment of God, Gideon overthrew the altar of Baal that belonged to his father and built an altar to the true God; He offered her a burnt offering. Now that he has given proof of his obedience to God and his faith in those around him, he can mount a military operation to put an end to the oppression of Midian, the people who came every year to plunder the crops. Praised by the Spirit, Gideon appealed to the tribes of the people and prepared the battle by assembling the troops : "He sent messengers to Asher, to Zebulun and to Naphtali" (Jn 6:35). But his faith demanded a new support before going on campaign against the enemy armies nearby.

Gideon then feels the need to verify God's sovereignty over natural phenomena such as the dew which brings the necessary moisture to the vegetation. This is the experience with the fleece. For Gideon, it is a question of ascertaining the power of God in an area where local people trust the local gods to ensure their crops. God accepts this test and encourages His servant.

In order for the Israelites not to boast that they had conquered by their own forces, God asked Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 to 10,000 and then to 300 (that of the Midianites and their allies had 135,000 !). One imagines the fears of Gideon. God then manifested his sovereignty over the spirits of men by allowing him to miraculously discover the feelings of his enemies: they expect a defeat! The Lord had already begun the liberation.

When God entrusts a service, He gives the right help at the right time and in the right place, but what really matters is God Himself.

Source (To pleasing the Lord)