A mystery explained

"Be on your guard!"

Acts 20:31

"Gideon, oh Gideon, oh have you met Gideon...."

Sorry.  That's really "Lydia".  From "Lydia, the Tattooed Lady".  Which is not even remotely Biblical, and has nothing to do with anything, except that any mention of Gideon puts that song in my head.  I don't even know why I know that song.  I think maybe the Muppets sang it...  What's the difference between a digression and rambling?

I was just wondering.

So I'm thinking about Gideon today.  His is one of the most remarkable stories in the Bible.  Many people who don't even know the Bible all that well, know the story of Gideon.

Gideon was assembling an army to fight the Midianites.  The army he was facing was much larger.  Scripture doesn't explicitly say, but scholars believe it was over 100,000.  Gideon's army was 32,000.  But God wanted to be sure that the glory went to Himself, so He decided to whittle down Gideon's army.

First, He had Gideon release "any man who wants to go home".  22,000 of them left, leaving 10,000.

But that was still too many.  So God had Gideon take the remaining men down to the water, and instruct them to drink.  The method by which they drank would determine who would stay, and who would go.  9,700 of the men knelt down, with their faces to water, and drank that way.  Only 300 men cupped the water in their hands, and brought the water to their faces, lapping up the water like a dog.  These were the men God wanted.  And for centuries, theologists have asked the question:

"What in the world was that about??"

Seriously, what kind of test is that?  Why didn't Gideon just send home everyone who can't tap dance?   Or keep just the ones who like dark chocolate?  And did God want exactly 300 men in Gideon's army, or just give-or-take?

At any rate, for years I have wondered about this seemingly arbitrary test on God's part.  Why this test?  What difference does it make how a soldier drinks?

Well, a few weeks ago, I got my answer.  I don't know if the reasoning was what God had in mind, but made so much sense to me.  And more importantly, it taught me a lesson.  And the fun part was that it was something I read, not in Judges, where the story of Gideon is (chapter 7), but in Acts of the Apostles.  They say that the best commentary on Scripture is Scripture, and there is nothing more fun for me than when one part of the Bible illuminates another part.

I was studying Acts chapter 20.  Paul was leaving the Ephesian church, and he had some words of wisdom for them.  In these words, he makes two points:  first ~ be on alert for yourself, and those you shepherd; second ~ build yourself up in His Word and through His grace.  And all of a sudden a light went on for me.  This was exactly what was happening with Gideon's men.  Soldiers need water.  It's critical to their health.  This is the "building themselves up".  But doing it by bringing the water to your face, instead of your face to the water, enables a soldier to be alert.  Head up, able to listen and look around.

Spiritually speaking, this is what is expected of us.  We are soldiers for Him.  And even in rest we are to be alert.  satan is looking for us to let our guard down.  So, yes, drink of the Living Water.  Refresh yourself in Him.  But keep your head up and remain alert.   And just as with Gideon's army, He will bring the victory, and He will get the glory.

~ "By the three hundred men, I will save you,

and deliver the Midianites into your hand." ~

Judges 7:7