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Profiles of Faith~
Gideon
When a Few Make a Majority
by Jerold Aust
The book of Hebrews lists Gideon among the heroes of faith in Israel’s history (Hebrews 11:32). The exploits of men like Gideon, who lived more than 3,000 years ago, are recorded because “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
The incident in his life most familiar to Bible readers was a spiritual exercise in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
In the book of Judges we see that God was preparing Gideon for battle against numerically overwhelming odds: “You have 32,000 soldiers, Gideon, and that’s far too many to do battle with the Midianites. I don’t want anyone to think you’ll win the coming battle by your own might. Tell your army that, if any among them are fearful, they are free to go” (Judges 7:2-3, paraphrased).
Gideon did as God instructed. He offered his men an honorable discharge from their duties, and 22,000 quickly disappeared over the horizon, headed for home.
Gideon looked around. One moment he thought he could count on 32,000 Israelite volunteers, the next he was left with only 10,000. Considering that the Midianite army numbered at least 135,000 (Judges 8:10), Gideon’s diminished force might have been cause for concern.
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