With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” (Judges 7:7 ESV)
Humility, Not Heroism
Gideon had one particular quality that is unusual for a successful military commander.
Yes, he was brave. Yes, he was intelligent. Yes, he was persistent. Yes, he was faithful to God.
But most clearly of all, Gideon was humble.
I have been critical in the past, I admit, of Gideon’s apparent questioning of God’s promised victory. The business with fleeces and dew seemed like doubt to me.
But today, I see Gideon as humble rather than faithless.
Gideon knew God was at work in defeating the Midianites.
And Gideon was humble in his self-analysis. Why would God use Gideon? Why would God let Gideon lead God’s army? Why would God need untrained, inexperienced Gideon to bring victory?
He knew God wanted Gideon to work for Him. And it surprised Gideon.
That kind of humility is pleasing to God.
God also showed He values humility by pairing down the army’s size. If Israel has defeated Midian with an army of 32,000 men, Israelites might claim the victory was theirs.
In the end, God accepted men as soldiers under Gideon who were not too proud to kneel and lap while drinking. God chose the humble, rather than the clever, the experienced, or the brave.
Humble as they followed God. Humble as they depended on God. Humble as they knew God alone wins victories.
We could use some of that kind of humility.