Gideon's Trumpet

I wanted to talk about this story of Gideon early on for a couple of reasons. I had the idea of naming this blog by that title or something similar. Also, I grew to have a new appreciation and deeper understanding of Gideon thanks to an adult Bible class I taught on the book of Judges.

The story of Gideon is found of course in Judges chapters 6 through 8. The specific story I reference is from chapter 7. This is the familiar incident when God tells Gideon to prepare for battle against the mighty army of the Midianites. We're told in chapter 7 verse 12, "Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts..."

To show Gideon and the Israelites that He was in charge and I believe to also test their faith, God told Gideon cut the number of his soldiers to 300. When the time came to attack the Midianites, Gideon commanded them in verses 16-18 to follow him in blowing trumpets and breaking pitchers as they invaded the enemy camps. The following verses recount what happened as the men did this; they soundly defeated the enemy.

Now you and I both know neither the trumpets nor the pitchers by themselves were capable of doing anything. Placed in the right hands, with faith and with the help of the Higher Power, they accomplished great things. The Israelites weren't victorious that night because just because they blew trumpets and broke clay pitchers. They were victorious because they had faith, they used the tools they had and they did what they were capable of doing and they trusted God to take care of the rest.

So perhaps this blog should be named for those trumpets and or pitchers. I can't do anything by myself. What I'm able to accomplish is done with the help of God. I have faith in God. I want to try to use what I have, what I've been given to further His cause. With His guidance and my effort I believe we can do great things in this world full of modern day Midianites. I believe we all can.

Regardless then of what title or name is at the top of this I hope we'll all take that lesson to improve our lives, walk in faith and further His cause.