When the impossible happens
The Midianites exasperated ancient Israel by invading the country annually at harvest time, robbing them of their food supply. It was God’s punishment for Israel’s straying into idolatry again. They knew they were guilty and forfeited any right to God’s protection.
When the nation was ripe for a turnaround, God’s angel suddenly appeared to Gideon where he was secretly threshing some grain in the winepress (Judges 6:11). He had a low selfesteem — from the human viewpoint, he was the last person to lead Israel out of their predicament.
As God rejected Moses’ excuses when God called him to lead Israel out of slavery, so he now rejected Gideon’s reasons why he was not qualified for the job.
In his mercy, God met Gideon on the level he was and steadily improved his faith until he was willing to confront thousands of Midianites with only 300 men.
Gideon applied hard tests to make sure it was really God who called him. On the first night there must be dew on a fleece but not on the ground, and the next night just the opposite. And God convinced him with a smile. God strengthened his faith further by the Midianite’s dream he overheard when he scouted the enemy camp.
God reduced his army of 32,000 men to 300. When they surrounded the feasting enemy at night, broke the clay jars, waved their torches, blew their horns and shout their war cry, the enemy got confused in the dust and smoke, attacked one another, and fled in disarray. Gideon mustered the full army again and routed the fleeing enemy. God’s providence freed Israel from a heavy burden, using a most unlikely hero.
A few centuries later, the city Samaria was besieged by the Syrian army. Food got so scarce in the city that they ate anything, even donkeys and pigeon droppings. Some resorted to cannibalism and devoured their own children (2 Kings 6-7).
When the king and the commander confronted the prophet Elisha about the dire situation, Elisha prophesied that the best food will be available at the usual price the next day. The commander rejected the prophesy as impossible. His unbelief would cost him dearly.
Four leprous men decided to go into the enemy camp, knowing they might either be fed or killed. They found the camp deserted. God made the enemy hear the noise of an approaching army, and they fled for their lives, leaving tents, clothes and food behind.
After storing some of the proviant for themselves, the lepers made the bounty known to the city. People streamed out to help themselves. Elisha’s prophesy was fulfilled, but the unbelieving commander was trampled to death before he could taste of the abundant provision.
Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.