“And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Judges 6:15
What! This is unbelievable! Imagine one of God’s created beings questioning Him! Is it possible that a creature can query the creator? We might be shocked at Gideon’s response to the Lord but truthfully we have all done exactly the same thing. In one way this is disobedience and disrespect. In another way when God asks us to do something by faith it always stretches us and creates amazement that God could use us to do something so far out of what we consider out capabilities. That is exactly why God stretches us – to show us what He can accomplish through us.
And he said to him Gideon is in the early stage of processing what
God told him to do and like we often are, he is in early denial.
Please, Lord The word please is an entreaty, craving permission to address a superior. It can be translated “Oh” or “Alas”. It is almost always used when one is in disagreement with a superior over a course of action. Gideon uses the name Adooai for Lord. In English it means “someone having power, authority, or influence; a master or ruler.” Adonai is used as a description of God or as a title of respect, rather than a name in the proper sense. Here Gideon seems to be saying “I understand your right to give me instructions but…”.
How can I save Israel? Gideon describes the task of faith God has designed for him. He states this appears to be an impossible task. Like most of us Gideon’s eyes are on the situation. He sees the hoards of vicious Midianites and Amalekites riding on camels against him – he is alone. How is victory even remotely possible? When God gives a command asking “how” is asking God to explain to us the details He will use to fulfill this task. God’s expectation is that we take the first step in obedience after which He reveals the next step. In this way our faith is strengthened as we trust God throughout our entire journey – a walk that will accomplish God’s task.
Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh Gideon uses an amazing word to begin his argument with the Lord. The Hebrew word for behold means cattle or oxen. Only here is it translated behold or look. The first time it is used is in Deuteronomy 7:13. “He will love you, bless you, and multiply you. He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.” It is as if God has Gideon use this word to make him remember the great promises of God to Israel and to him. Gideon wants to explain to the Lord that his family is weak (poor or thin) among all the families in the tribe of Manasseh. Contrast this with what the Lord called Gideon earlier – a mighty man of valor and we see how God sees us differently than we see ourselves. God sees what we can be, what He designed us to be. Yet we see our weaknesses and frailties. Gideon states he is from the tribe of Manasseh, the firstborn of Joseph. Manasseh means “causing to forget”. This is exactly what Gideon is doing with God as he
forgets God promises to be with him in all He calls him to do.
I am the least in my father’s house Gideon gets to his main point. God has made a terrible mistake. Gideon is the least (the youngest,
most insignificant, or smallest). In other words there are a lot better choices to do this job – more talented, experienced and capable.
Rather than the mighty work for God that will be recorded for all eternity maybe he should thresh wheat hidden in this winepress.
What can we learn? Once again we see a lesson in scripture that most of us are not willing to accept until we face it personally. God didn’t look for a man with renowned skills, great experience and overwhelming charisma. Rather God looks for the weak so He can make him strong. It is through the weak, the ones who should not have been able to achieve, yhat God can do His work and receive the glory. God told Gideon He would be with him. That should have
been enough. It will be enough for us too if we remember the greatness of the God we serve and who promises to be with us through whatever we face.