MARCH 13
In chapters 4 and 5 we see that God uses Deborah and Jael to
meet a serious crisis. The Canaanites had oppressed Israel for
twenty years, so God raised up the prophetess Deborah to lead the
way to victory. She gave God’s battle plan to Barak, and he trusted
the promise of God to give them the victory. Jael helped Israel to
fight the battle, as she slew Sisera, the enemy of the Lord.
In chapter 6 God calls Gideon as the next Judge of Israel.
Though he often wavered in doubt, he was a man of faith who trusted
the Word of God. Hebrews 11:32 puts him at the head of the list of
judges.
At first Gideon was unwilling to accept God’s Word that he
was to be the conqueror of the Midianites. He was merely a farmer,
not a warrior. He asked God for a sign, and in verses 19-24 God
graciously granted his request.
An army of 32,000 men rallied to Gideon’s side, but he was
still doubtful of victory. Gideon “put out the fleece” twice and
both times God answered. How gracious God is to minister to His
feeble saints! We will see the result of the battle in tomorrow’s
reading.