Last week I blogged about the different ways Jesus answers our prayers. I gave examples of three types of answers from Jesus: the “Yes”, the question, and the rebuke. But it’s not just in the New Testament that God gives those answer types. Those types of answers are given to our heroes of faith in the Old Testament, also. Gideon is a great example.
Gideon’s prayers
When we talk about the account of Gideon in the book of Judges, it’s common for Christians to discount it as an example of God’s working through someone in spite of that person’s lack of faith. We point to Gideon’s obvious distrust of the angel of the Lord that first appeared to him, the cover of darkness over his first action against false gods, his need for repeated “fleeces” to prove to himself that God was with him, and the complete collapse of his family after his death. But we must remember that the whole point of the book of Judges is to chronicle the failures of a people of which it was repeated: “everyone did what was right in his own eyes”. (Judges 17:6, 21:25)
We may not consider Gideon’s early story a great example of faith, but here’s what I noticed: Every one of Gideon’s prayers were answered.
Question, Rebuke, Yes
Gideon’s first conversation with the Lord is begun by God, who gives him an encouraging greeting. Gideon’s response is a prayer of complaint and sarcasm (just being real) which God answers by calling out his sarcasm (”this might of yours”) and a question: “Have I not sent you?” (Judges 6:12-14)
When Gideon begins to give excuses about why he wasn’t a good option, God rebukes him with a reminder that it was God’s presence that would do the work. (Judges 6:15-16)
Then Gideon asked God to stick around so he could bring Him some food, and God said “Yes” (Judges 6:17-18). When Gideon later asked God for the fleece proofs, he got two more yeses (Judges 6:36-40).
The scripture doesn’t record any more of Gideon’s prayers, but when the Midianites and Amalekites filled the Valley of Jezreel, he obeyed God’s instructions and delivered Israel, beginning a 40-year peace and gaining a mention in the Hebrews “faith hall of fame” (Hebrews 11:32).
Gideon, me, and you
Yes, Gideon was a bit of a knucklehead, and that gives me hope. Gideon and many other examples like him remind me that I should not tell God how I expect Him to answer me, but I must listen for His loving rebuke, His probing question, and His encouraging yes.
Like Gideon, we have to obey so God can do the work. Just like God told Gideon “Surely I will be with you, and you shall…” (Judges 6:16), Jesus told you and me, “Go… I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
When have you heard a “Yes”, a question, or a rebuke? Tell me in the comments.
By His calling, in His strength,
Dean
I did an interview this week about The Story Farm on the local radio station in the county where I grew up. Here’s a link where you can listen to it: WKVI.
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Pop-up scripture references are from the New King James Version (NKJV).
