Introduction
How many of you enjoy reading biographies? One of my favorite biographies is called Grant and Sherman by Charles Flood. My reason for liking it is the subtitle: The Friendship That Won the Civil War. It details the interaction, both personal and professional between the two leading army commanders of the war. The book also shows how they put together the winning strategy for winning the conflict. I would highly recommend that book as a study in Civil War history and leadership.
I do like to read the biographies that we find in the Biblical text. In II Timothy 3:16, the apostle Paul says that all Scripture is God-breathed, or inspired, and is profitable for us so that we can be instructed in righteousness. Pastor Andy Stanley says of the Hebrew Scriptures,
“It’s ancient history with divine purpose.”
The account of Gideon in Judges 6-8 fascinates me.When God’s angel first appears to Gideon, he greets him in a very strange way.
“Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12, HCSB).
We have no record that Gideon was ever a warrior.
But the messenger from God goes on to say,
“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?’” (Judges 6:14, HCSB).
I believe we can see through Gideon’s life that God chose him, not for his ability, but for what God was going to do through him. But, we will also see how Gideon messed things up as well.
Next Week: Why?
Mark Riser - Apologist 