Unimaginable Love

 

As I read through Judges 7:1-8:21 I'm pondering why the Israelites say, "Oh God of Jacob, Abraham and Issac"? Is it to remind God's people that what God does for one follower, he can and will do for all? He shows up for believers and wants to display His unimaginable love.

In Gideon's (Jerub-baal) story in this part of Judges, his army was reduced by the Lord from 22,000 to 10,000 to 300! That's a HUGE difference. For perspective, most basketball arenas hold around 20,000-22, 000 people and that's what he started with. Then the Lord reduced that by half. Which is already a significant cut. Then he reduced it down to 300. 300! My daughter's graduating high school class had more in it than that in Las Vegas. The Lord did this because he wanted His people to know without a shadow of doubt that it was His doing, not their own. 

Then, he made provision for Gideon's unsteady feeling from reducing his troops by drastic measures by giving him a specific way to increase his courage. He instructed him to go with Purah to the enemy camp and hear what the Midianities are saying to encourage him. When Gideon went to the camp he was overwhelmed by the amount of men, calling them a swarm of locusts. Likewise, he said there were so many camels, they were like grains of sand on a seashore--too many to count! But then he overheard a dream and interpretation being shared by his enemies professing that God was going to give victory to Gideon and Israel over all their enemies at that camp.

The Lord knows and cares about what our hearts need!

It can be so easy to dismiss, look past and question the validity of stories in the bible because of the times we live in. We are surrounded by purposeful deceit/lies, false illusions (special effects), untruthful and misleading information etc. Our eyes and ears are often mislead. We even intentionally engage in mistruths by watching movies and tv shows. Think about how we have to explain to little kids that it's not real... At a certain age we know that they are only acting, they aren't actually hurt or that strong/invincible. It's enjoyable but in this moment I'm wondering if that contributes to the mistrust and difficulties we have in believing these incredible acts of God in the Bible. For me I know that it takes me reading and rereading and experiencing God more and more for Him to pull back the layers for me to be able to take in these amazing stories more and more each time. 

So, Gideon's enemies actually started killing each other and those who weren't killed fled. Gideon's and his army chased them along with some allies. Even though they had hardship along the way (needing food and not receiving it), He was on fire for the Lord and was trusting in Him to keep moving ahead. I'm assuming He was keeping what God was showing Him close to his heart and remembering the Lord is an amazing and incredible provider. What perfect love God has for us!

Don't trust me, read the story for yourself!