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`valour': strong, force. But Gideon was sufficiently perceptive to realize that physical
strength was not enough, although in human terms the situation demanded a leader of
strength and a people of military strength. In his reply Gideon acknowledges the strength
of Jehovah, and concludes, as the nation has been reduced to such impoverishment, that
Jehovah has deserted them:
"And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this
befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not
the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us
into the hands of the Midianites" (6: 13).
Jehovah's answer to this shows what was in Gideon's mind at the time: "Go in this
thy might, and thou shalt save Israel . . . . . have not I sent thee?" Physically strong
Gideon might be, the ideal man to deliver Israel; but his true strength was his trust in the
power of God.
Gideon's response to this commission, at first sight, appears to be a case of false
humility:
"Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh,
and I am the least in my father's house" (6: 15).
The angel had spoken to `a mighty man of valour', now Gideon says he is the
smallest, or youngest in his father's house. Humanly speaking he was therefore the least
likely to be called upon to deliver the nation; one of his brothers would be more suitable.
This is given some support in chapter 8: 18, 19:
"Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye
slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the
children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother."
He was the smallest, or youngest, of a family of strong, powerful men. Like David,
whose family seem scarcely to have thought of him, until Samuel enquired whether all
the sons were present, Gideon was God's choice. Often God chooses and calls the least
likely, and the least suitable from an outward standpoint to fulfil His purposes.
To this objection, Jehovah replied, "I will be with the, and thou shalt smite the
Midianites as one man" (6: 16). An assurance given to Moses, to Joshua and to others.
It is still true that "God and one are a majority". The man God calls needs to have a
soundly based conviction that God is with Him.
Gideon was a cautious man: a fact which makes the method of his choice of those
who would go with him against the Midianites the more remarkable. At this point he
seeks reassurance that it is Jehovah Who speaks to him:
"And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign
that thou talkest with me" (6: 17).
He had already pointed out that Jehovah had, in the past performed miracles for His
people (vi 13), now he requests a sign that he may be certain he is not being deceived.