I know, using the title of a hit movie as part of the title. Kinda cliche, but, very true.
I am always amazed at my Father and His work. More importantly, how He works through prayer. How long it seems we slumber in our kingdom walk then suddenly He shakes us awake through the use of circumstances, history, and the words we read in the Bible from long ago.
A couple of months ago, I read a passage from John 14:12-14. Jesus was speaking to his disciples who were amazed by the things he did. He turned this around on them and said, "whatever you ask in my name, I will do it to glorify the name of my Father in heaven! If you ask me ANYTHING in my name, I WILL do it!"
Think about the power in those words. Reading them drew me to desire even more to know how to pray, how to ask, and what to ask for. This in turn led me to order a book entitled "Release the Power of Prayer" by George Mueller. If you remember, it was his story that sparked another journey in my life back in January of 2014. After having read the above verse and seeing the title of the book, knowing George was a man of prayer, I assumed I could learn much from his knowledge of "how to pray!" However, I was even more moved as I began reading and found the book was again simple stories of prayers God had answered in his life. In fact, it was stated that George Mueller had documented over 50,000 answered prayers in his 92 years on earth. FIFTY THOUSAND! Stories ranging from lost keys to God changing the weather. I highly encourage the reading of his autobiography and this book as well so you can be as George would say, "encouraged that God still answers prayer!"
On a recent retreat, I began to understand the power in, and need for, God's people in 2015 to share the stories of what God is doing. We have His Word in the Bible of the things he has done. We have stories from history like George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, David Livingstone, Samuel Morris, and Isabel Kuhn of what He has done. But today we so desperately need to know what He is doing. We sing "God is not Dead", but do we live our lives as a reflection of that saying? If He is not dead, and He does not change, then His power we read of in the Bible and stories of history must be alive today!
In the aforementioned book, Release the power of prayer, George told of a time when he needed mild weather during the winter so he asked for God to send a southerly wind on the days the work needed done. God answered! He also spoke of asking God to help him find a key, and when money was in need, and when the desire for souls to be saved. God answered.
This awoke something in me! The desire to pray and expect God to work, as George had mentioned he did. So on November 28th, I was scheduled to have an Auction in Gallatin TN and all week the weather was amazing. However, heavy rain was forecast for the evening of the 27th and on for four days. Having just read of Georges answer to the southerly wind prayer, I asked God to hold off the heavy rains until the sale was completed and to bless the auction beyond any of our imaginations. When Saturday morning arrived, only a light mist was in the air and a drizzling rain. I have a video from right after the tenet was taken down and the sale complete, and the larger rain drops began to fall and it poured the rest of the weekend. God answered. Not only that, guesses on what the farm would bring was from $400,000 to $675,000, when it was finished, it brought $830,000. god answered.
I know if you have read my story, these should not be a surprise as God has been doing some amazing things in my life over the past 24 months. However, I am human just like all the characters in the Scriptures and like George Mueller and Hudson Taylor. That means I wrestle with God and "can He, and will He really pull through this time?" But George said something that stuck out to me, he said "each small prayer answered and each small test given is a faith builder for the days ahead and the next test." So I began to see God moving and it encouraged me to pray more.
My next test came as I was called for another Auction. I had done the past two as co-broke with my father, but knowing God had called me to be set apart even in my labors, I wondered if the owner would be okay with me standing on my own two feet. So I asked (worriedly I might add) for God to give me favor and show me how to approach the situation. When it came up, it was VERY clear God had gone before by using another person to recommend me for the job and the owner said "I don't care how you do it, I was told you were the one for the job and I want you!" God answered!
Soon after I was working on my sheep shed and I really wanted to finish it on a certain day. Not having electricity available, I was relying on my chain saw for cutting boards. Early in the day, as I pulled the cord to crank it, it failed to recoil and my heart sank. I worked with it a few times and no luck. I finally got it to take the cord back in and I prepared to take it to the shop. Suddenly I stopped and simply said, "Father, I really want to finish this shed today, can you please make this thing crank and work correctly?" I grabbed the chainsaw, pulled the cord, and it fired right up and worked the rest of the day! God Answered!
Then just the other day, we were called regarding my daughters horse and that she was acting up. I went the next morning to check on it and was told a story of how she was nearly impossible to catch and get back in the barn. I, not being a fan of the horse business, was discouraged and not sure what to do. We decided the next morning that my daughter and wife would go early and try to get her back in. On the way I simply asked "Father, please allow Raygan to walk up to her horse and lead her into the barn!" When we arrived it was very foggy and hard to see. I stood at the gate and continued to pray that prayer, and the next thing I saw was my wife and daughter walking to the barn with the horse on the lead rope. Not an issue at all, and has not been since!" God answered!
So why tell you all this? Because I want you to know God answers prayer! In fact, He is pleading with His children in the western world to remember He answers prayer and He wants us to know that He longs for us to simply ask Him ANYTHING! Not that you can run and ask for a million dollars, but if it His will and for His glory that a million dollars be given you, He can, and will, only ASK!
God loves us so much, as a father does his child. I know if my children ask me to do something for them that I know will be good for them or simply bring them joy, I do everything in my power to make it happen. If I , an earthly father who struggles with a wicked heart, will do that for my kids, HOW MUCH MORE will He do so much more for us, His children.
To God be the Glory!
Your brother,
Ray Carman - Auctioneer/Realtor
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Elijah - God's Agent of SMASH
On my journey with my kids through Scripture and looking at God's Agents of SMASH, this week we came upon Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19. I am constantly amazed (and encouraged) of how each time God's people had been led astray by a false God, that He would send an Agent of Smash to redeem His people back to himself. I am also amazed at how each Agent was not some amazing, Hercules of a man (or woman) but rather just a person that God had called and they willing followed and obeyed. It gives me hope for our world for when He sends his next agent of SMASH!
Elijah's story is set in a time that a king had risen up whose heart was set against God. He and his wife had rid the land of the prophets who spoke truth and replaced them with prophets to the false god Baal. Ahab and Jezebel had been doing everything to kill Elijah himself, and out of fear for his life, Elijah went and hid himself. He had witnessed God do amazing things, but just like any human, he feared death, especially death at the hands of these evil people. So he had pronounced that it would not rain until God told him it would, and then he ran and hid.
In this time, he ended up at a widows house who had a son (chapter 17). He asked her for food and she informed him she only had enough for one meal left for her and her son and then she was planning on dying. Elijah told her to cook it all, but to first feed him and if she obeyed, her flour and oil would not run out until it rained again! This was her test, and according to the story, she passed in flying colors. From that day on Elijah lived with her and they ate from that same jar of flour and oil. Until her son died! This part of the story shows us another test of Elijah as he prayed for life to renter the boy's body. It did not happen the first or second time. But Elijah did not I've up in his prayer and on the third time asking God to revive the boy, he breathed again. Lesson: do not quit praying if you do not receive the answer immediately.
After this Elijah was sent by the Spirit of God back to Ahab to call out the prophets of Baal to do a test and see who the one and only God was! (Chapter 18). Wow, what a scene. As he called out the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah to a challenge to see whose God would send down fire to consume an offering. PLEASE, read this story yourself! It is amazing.
In the end, of course God proves only He is God and as a result, Elijah told the people to capture the false prophets of Baal and put them to death by sword that day. He called the people to serve ONLY God and to abandon their evil worship of Baal. God used Elijah to redeem his people again and purify His people from their sin. But it again took an agent of SMASH who obeyed God and did something radical to call attention back to God. It was not an action of his own choosing, but rather an obedience to what God told him to do.
Immediately following this, Elijah told Ahab to go eat and drink and prepare for rain. At this point it had been three years since it had rained in the land. Elijah went to the top of a mountain and prayed for the rain to come. 6 times he sent his servant to check the horizon for a rain cloud and 6 times he returned saying there was nothing. It was the seventh time when his servant said "there is a cloud on the horizon the size of a mans hand." That is when Elijah told Ahab he better get home because a rain cam e up quickly. Ahab rode his horse and chariot, but we are told "the Spirit of God cam upon Elijah" and he girded up his clothes and ran ahead of the chariot (on his feet) into the city! Another cool story, but pronounced with the fact that Elijah did not stop praying after 6 times of negative words, but rather continued to pray and waited expectantly upon God to answer.
Elijah's story is full of exciting times, and times where he despaired of life all together. Immediately following this he went somewhere and asked God to simply take his life because "he was the only prophet left who loved God!" he was depressed and God had to rise this man back out of the miry clay. Elijah was just a man, and anything mighty that was done through him, or any Agent of SMASH was done because the "Spirit of the LORD" came upon them. Please take the time and read the rest of Elijah's story, it is full of the glory of God and His ways!
Until next time, SMASH on!!!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
Elijah's story is set in a time that a king had risen up whose heart was set against God. He and his wife had rid the land of the prophets who spoke truth and replaced them with prophets to the false god Baal. Ahab and Jezebel had been doing everything to kill Elijah himself, and out of fear for his life, Elijah went and hid himself. He had witnessed God do amazing things, but just like any human, he feared death, especially death at the hands of these evil people. So he had pronounced that it would not rain until God told him it would, and then he ran and hid.
In this time, he ended up at a widows house who had a son (chapter 17). He asked her for food and she informed him she only had enough for one meal left for her and her son and then she was planning on dying. Elijah told her to cook it all, but to first feed him and if she obeyed, her flour and oil would not run out until it rained again! This was her test, and according to the story, she passed in flying colors. From that day on Elijah lived with her and they ate from that same jar of flour and oil. Until her son died! This part of the story shows us another test of Elijah as he prayed for life to renter the boy's body. It did not happen the first or second time. But Elijah did not I've up in his prayer and on the third time asking God to revive the boy, he breathed again. Lesson: do not quit praying if you do not receive the answer immediately.
After this Elijah was sent by the Spirit of God back to Ahab to call out the prophets of Baal to do a test and see who the one and only God was! (Chapter 18). Wow, what a scene. As he called out the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Asherah to a challenge to see whose God would send down fire to consume an offering. PLEASE, read this story yourself! It is amazing.
In the end, of course God proves only He is God and as a result, Elijah told the people to capture the false prophets of Baal and put them to death by sword that day. He called the people to serve ONLY God and to abandon their evil worship of Baal. God used Elijah to redeem his people again and purify His people from their sin. But it again took an agent of SMASH who obeyed God and did something radical to call attention back to God. It was not an action of his own choosing, but rather an obedience to what God told him to do.
Immediately following this, Elijah told Ahab to go eat and drink and prepare for rain. At this point it had been three years since it had rained in the land. Elijah went to the top of a mountain and prayed for the rain to come. 6 times he sent his servant to check the horizon for a rain cloud and 6 times he returned saying there was nothing. It was the seventh time when his servant said "there is a cloud on the horizon the size of a mans hand." That is when Elijah told Ahab he better get home because a rain cam e up quickly. Ahab rode his horse and chariot, but we are told "the Spirit of God cam upon Elijah" and he girded up his clothes and ran ahead of the chariot (on his feet) into the city! Another cool story, but pronounced with the fact that Elijah did not stop praying after 6 times of negative words, but rather continued to pray and waited expectantly upon God to answer.
Elijah's story is full of exciting times, and times where he despaired of life all together. Immediately following this he went somewhere and asked God to simply take his life because "he was the only prophet left who loved God!" he was depressed and God had to rise this man back out of the miry clay. Elijah was just a man, and anything mighty that was done through him, or any Agent of SMASH was done because the "Spirit of the LORD" came upon them. Please take the time and read the rest of Elijah's story, it is full of the glory of God and His ways!
Until next time, SMASH on!!!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Balaam's Donkey - Agent of SMASH
If you have not read Numbers 22-24 lately, you really should. Most people are somewhat familiar with the phrase, "If God could speak through an ass (donkey)......" and this is where that story comes from. This week Father led me to this story as our next installment of His Agents of SMASH. I will have to admit, on the surface, it does not seem to fit the profile, that is until you really dig deeper.
Take a minute and read it for yourself. I never believe in relying on someone else to recount a story especially if the source is available. But here was our take on it.
Israel is in the post Egypt era and they are moving through the land, pretty much overtaking all the inhabitants based on God's command. When they reach Moab, the king there, Balak, decides to take some extreme measures. He reaches out to Balaam, a well known sorcerer in the area who has a high reputation as being one who if he cursed or blessed you, you were cursed or blessed. Bala, knew he had no chance against Israel, unless, Balaam would come curse them.
Balak sends messengers to bring Balaam to his aid, and God simply told Balaam "No!" So Balak, sends a second party of princes to ask for his services, and this time God told him to go with them, but only say what He told him to say.
The next verse is really interesting as we enter into the donkey's part of the story. Salaam, gets up the next day and goes as God had told him to, but then we see God for doing what he had said, to which I replied, "Good question to ask God!"
This is when God sends an angel to oppose Balaam on his journey and the Agent of SMASH goes to work. This angel stands in the path and Balaam does not see him, but the donkey does. Here is why that is interesting. Balaam is a sorcerer who is suppose to be in touch with the spiritual realm and see spiritual beings. He should have seen the angel, but his eyes had been shut and he could not. So when the donkey 1) veered into the field 2) rubbed the wall crushing Balaam's foot 3) laid down in the road, Balaam went ballistic and beat the animal. And when it said he beat the donkey, imagine a thorough whipping and lashing that would hurt. Balaam was furious because he was embarrassed. This animal was "making a fool" of him (v.29). God, in his mercy allowed the donkey to speak and simply ask Balaam, "Why are you beating me?"
Here is where we get the fun part of the story. Balaam seemingly not surprised answers his donkey. They carry on a discourse until Balaam finally says, "If I had a sword I would slay you!" Now is when his eyes are opened and he finally sees this angel with a flaming sword in his hand and Balaam is AFRAID! The angel informs him had it not been for his donkey, he would have surely slain Balaam and spared the donkey (ironic turn of events.) Balaam in fear offers to go back home, but instead, God told him to continue on through the angel, but warned again that he was only to say what he was told to say.
So how is the donkey an Agent of SMASH? She was an agent because she saw the danger ahead and turned to avoid it, and in the process, she crushed the foot and pride of the man she was carrying. Agents of Smash are agents who are sent to purify from sin, and Balaam had a pride issue which showed itself in his reactions to the donkey turning from the path and embarrassing him. If God had not used the donkey to purify Balaam before he arrived, he may have succumbed to the temptation to curse Israel in order to please Balak over God. He had been told to only do as God said, but with a heart full of pride, he may have disobeyed in order to please men. His pride and arrogance is shown by the fact he was blindly going ahead, ignorant of the road block God had sent. Without the donkey, Balaam would have surely died because he was not acting humbly and this would have spelled disaster for him ahead.
However, because God used a donkey to humble this proud man, he obeyed when he was told to bless Israel despite the temptation to receive the approval and riches of men. He obeyed God inspite of the fact he may have lost his life at the hands of Balak. This Agent of SMASH allowed him to see God more clearly and therefore obey His commands.
What a fascinating story and one we can learn so much from. God oft times places obstacles in our paths in order to protect us or remind us of his will. And if we are too proudly marching forward in our own strength, in His mercy he may humble us and speak to us through the mouth of an ass (donkey.) If we are sensitive to Him, hopefully we will see the Angel and the flaming Sword before the donkey speaks!
On a personal note, having had donkeys on our farm and knowing how frustrating they can be, it gives this story even more significance when the donkey says "have I ever acted like this before?" and Balaam says "No." I promise you, if one of my donkeys ever spoke, you can bet I would first check my sanity, but then I would listen. Because of this donkey, God secured a major blessing for his people and again displayed His sovereignty over ALL things!
Amazing story, you should really check it out!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
Take a minute and read it for yourself. I never believe in relying on someone else to recount a story especially if the source is available. But here was our take on it.
Israel is in the post Egypt era and they are moving through the land, pretty much overtaking all the inhabitants based on God's command. When they reach Moab, the king there, Balak, decides to take some extreme measures. He reaches out to Balaam, a well known sorcerer in the area who has a high reputation as being one who if he cursed or blessed you, you were cursed or blessed. Bala, knew he had no chance against Israel, unless, Balaam would come curse them.
Balak sends messengers to bring Balaam to his aid, and God simply told Balaam "No!" So Balak, sends a second party of princes to ask for his services, and this time God told him to go with them, but only say what He told him to say.
The next verse is really interesting as we enter into the donkey's part of the story. Salaam, gets up the next day and goes as God had told him to, but then we see God for doing what he had said, to which I replied, "Good question to ask God!"
This is when God sends an angel to oppose Balaam on his journey and the Agent of SMASH goes to work. This angel stands in the path and Balaam does not see him, but the donkey does. Here is why that is interesting. Balaam is a sorcerer who is suppose to be in touch with the spiritual realm and see spiritual beings. He should have seen the angel, but his eyes had been shut and he could not. So when the donkey 1) veered into the field 2) rubbed the wall crushing Balaam's foot 3) laid down in the road, Balaam went ballistic and beat the animal. And when it said he beat the donkey, imagine a thorough whipping and lashing that would hurt. Balaam was furious because he was embarrassed. This animal was "making a fool" of him (v.29). God, in his mercy allowed the donkey to speak and simply ask Balaam, "Why are you beating me?"
Here is where we get the fun part of the story. Balaam seemingly not surprised answers his donkey. They carry on a discourse until Balaam finally says, "If I had a sword I would slay you!" Now is when his eyes are opened and he finally sees this angel with a flaming sword in his hand and Balaam is AFRAID! The angel informs him had it not been for his donkey, he would have surely slain Balaam and spared the donkey (ironic turn of events.) Balaam in fear offers to go back home, but instead, God told him to continue on through the angel, but warned again that he was only to say what he was told to say.
So how is the donkey an Agent of SMASH? She was an agent because she saw the danger ahead and turned to avoid it, and in the process, she crushed the foot and pride of the man she was carrying. Agents of Smash are agents who are sent to purify from sin, and Balaam had a pride issue which showed itself in his reactions to the donkey turning from the path and embarrassing him. If God had not used the donkey to purify Balaam before he arrived, he may have succumbed to the temptation to curse Israel in order to please Balak over God. He had been told to only do as God said, but with a heart full of pride, he may have disobeyed in order to please men. His pride and arrogance is shown by the fact he was blindly going ahead, ignorant of the road block God had sent. Without the donkey, Balaam would have surely died because he was not acting humbly and this would have spelled disaster for him ahead.
However, because God used a donkey to humble this proud man, he obeyed when he was told to bless Israel despite the temptation to receive the approval and riches of men. He obeyed God inspite of the fact he may have lost his life at the hands of Balak. This Agent of SMASH allowed him to see God more clearly and therefore obey His commands.
What a fascinating story and one we can learn so much from. God oft times places obstacles in our paths in order to protect us or remind us of his will. And if we are too proudly marching forward in our own strength, in His mercy he may humble us and speak to us through the mouth of an ass (donkey.) If we are sensitive to Him, hopefully we will see the Angel and the flaming Sword before the donkey speaks!
On a personal note, having had donkeys on our farm and knowing how frustrating they can be, it gives this story even more significance when the donkey says "have I ever acted like this before?" and Balaam says "No." I promise you, if one of my donkeys ever spoke, you can bet I would first check my sanity, but then I would listen. Because of this donkey, God secured a major blessing for his people and again displayed His sovereignty over ALL things!
Amazing story, you should really check it out!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
His Hand Provides through Prayer
I am currently reading "Release the Power of Prayer," another small book detailing more of George Mueller's life and prayers that were answered. I am moved by how he sought God for everything, big and small, and how he "expected" answers. He encourages all believers to pray and look expectantly to God to answer their prayers.
So this past Saturday I had a fairly large auction come up. I had been working for over 6 weeks prepping, marketing, and working through obstacles to see it come to pass. I had poured my heart out into this project as I try and do with any I am involved in as a thank you to God for allowing me the pleasure of doing work I enjoy. This is also the means by which He allows me to provide for my family, but more so, these properties are very meaningful to the owners for whom I work. Therefore, I strive to give it my all and my best.
So with this sale coming up, a "perfect day" would be sun shining and 65 degrees. However, this is November 28th we are talking about in TN and the weather said rain was moving in on Friday evening and staying for 4 days. I knew that the buyers would come no matter what, because experience tells me so. However, of the sellers sake, you hope for the best. Therefore, I simply prayed, 'Lord please hold off the bulk of the rain till after the sale and blow our minds as to the outcome of it for Your glory and for the sake of the sellers."
And that was it. Simple prayer and I "looked expectantly" unto my Daddy to answer my prayers.
On Saturday morning, we had only had a drizzle through the evening and throughout the sale. The number of people who came out was literally mind blowing because we only had 8 tracts of land to offer, yet we had over 100 people come to the auction in drizzling, cool weather. On top of that, the final sales price exceeded everyone of our estimations by 20%.
All that to simply say, yes, God answered prayer in the Bible when Jesus prayed. He also answered prayer when George Mueller and Hudson Taylor prayed. He also answered prayer when Ray Carman prayed. All simply men looking to their Heavenly Daddy who told us through His Son, "If you believe, you WILL receive whatever you ask for in prayer!"
When God moves you to pray and burdens your heart, He longs for you to come to Him in prayer so He may answer. He may not do it immediately, (one man prayed for 50 years for the salvation of two men, and his prayer was answered after his death!), but He will build the strength of your faith through patiently awaiting His answer and once he has answered, He will build your Fatih in preparation for the next trial before you!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
So this past Saturday I had a fairly large auction come up. I had been working for over 6 weeks prepping, marketing, and working through obstacles to see it come to pass. I had poured my heart out into this project as I try and do with any I am involved in as a thank you to God for allowing me the pleasure of doing work I enjoy. This is also the means by which He allows me to provide for my family, but more so, these properties are very meaningful to the owners for whom I work. Therefore, I strive to give it my all and my best.
So with this sale coming up, a "perfect day" would be sun shining and 65 degrees. However, this is November 28th we are talking about in TN and the weather said rain was moving in on Friday evening and staying for 4 days. I knew that the buyers would come no matter what, because experience tells me so. However, of the sellers sake, you hope for the best. Therefore, I simply prayed, 'Lord please hold off the bulk of the rain till after the sale and blow our minds as to the outcome of it for Your glory and for the sake of the sellers."
And that was it. Simple prayer and I "looked expectantly" unto my Daddy to answer my prayers.
On Saturday morning, we had only had a drizzle through the evening and throughout the sale. The number of people who came out was literally mind blowing because we only had 8 tracts of land to offer, yet we had over 100 people come to the auction in drizzling, cool weather. On top of that, the final sales price exceeded everyone of our estimations by 20%.
All that to simply say, yes, God answered prayer in the Bible when Jesus prayed. He also answered prayer when George Mueller and Hudson Taylor prayed. He also answered prayer when Ray Carman prayed. All simply men looking to their Heavenly Daddy who told us through His Son, "If you believe, you WILL receive whatever you ask for in prayer!"
When God moves you to pray and burdens your heart, He longs for you to come to Him in prayer so He may answer. He may not do it immediately, (one man prayed for 50 years for the salvation of two men, and his prayer was answered after his death!), but He will build the strength of your faith through patiently awaiting His answer and once he has answered, He will build your Fatih in preparation for the next trial before you!
Your Brother,
Ray Carman
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Gideon - Agent of SMASH
This past week, the family and I looked at another Agent of SMASH. Gideon. What a story this guy had to tell. It is amazing that it was wrapped up in only 3 chapters in the Bible, Judges 6-8.
Gideon is another one of those "least likely" guys to make this list. He was the youngest of his household and by his own account, from the weakest tribe in Israel. He lived in a time when the Israelites had again forsaken God and the punishment came in the form of a swarm of Midianites. According to the story, every year during crop time, the Midianites would come in and camp in the crop lands, destroying everything that was planted. It also says they left no sheep, cows, or donkeys for the Israelites. Imagine the difficulty of finding food for your family when everything you planted was destroyed 7 years in a row.
That was where we found Gideon, as he was threshing wheat in a winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. This is where God called him to be an Agent of SMASH, yet Gideon was not too certain even when faced with an "Angel of the Lord" who according to Scripture was "the Lord" himself. (Judges 6:11-15)
Even after finding himself in the Lords presence, Gideon still asked the Lord for proof. Actually, he was so timid that asked for proof several times. His first assignment was to tear down an alter to Baal and the Asherah pole in his town. He obeyed, however, it said "because he was afraid" (Judges 6:27), he did it under the cover of darkness in order to avoid the wrath of the family and neighbors. So he obeyed, but he still was scared. Gideon was a timid fellow.
This is proved again when he was told to prepare for the fight against the Midianites, after he had gathered the 32,000 men, who would go up against 135,000, he went to God and said "I need proof again!" Judges 6:36-40 is the story best known around Gideon regarding the fleece and the dew. Both his test were accepted and God showed that He would hold up His side of it all and deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon.
The only problem God had with it was Gideon had too many men. He did not want the men thinking they could win on their own strength. If you look at the numbers, 32000 vs 135000, that is not quite an position in which one might think the odds were in your favor. Every soldier Gideon had would have to defeat 4 Midianites at the same time to win. Not odds I would want in any fight. However, God said it was too many, so he made Gideon send everyone who was afraid home. (7:1-3) The result of this was Gideon was left with only 10,000 men.
Based on Gideon's track record, I am surprised he did not leave with those who were afraid. He was afraid when he realized the Angel was the Lord. He was afraid when he took down the Baal alter. He showed timidity when he asked for proof after gathering the army with the fleece test. SO it would have not been a huge surprise for him to leave with the men who were afraid to fight. But we see him there now with 10,000 men. The fighting odds just went from 1 vs 4 to 1 vs 13 for every remaining soldier. Gideon has to be thinking "Are you serious God?"
But God was not finished. He again told Gideon he had too many men still and set up another "filtering" test to get it down to the correct number according to God. When this test was finished, Gideon only had 300 men left. That means each man would have to battle 400 at a time and win in order for the battle to be won. When God says, "I will not share my glory" (Isaiah 42:8), He was not kidding. Can you imagine having to face a battle where it was you vs 400 at the same time? Gideon must have been overwhelmed at this point with fear. I would have been shaking in my boots and looking for the exit route, and I bet he was too. In fact, I know he was afraid because we are told he was in 7:10 when God said, "If you are afraid, take a servant and go down to the valley," and Gideon did. He took his servant to the valley because he was afraid. But what God did there was again offer proof that He would win this battle.
From there, the story is well known. Gideon takes his 300 men and divides them into 3 companies. They take their horn, a torch, and a jar to cover the torch light (notice the lack of a sward) and went to three sides of the valley. In the middle of the night, they blow the trumpets, Smash the jars, and yell out, "For the Lord and for Gideon!" and chaos erupted in the camp and the Midianites started killing each other as the fled. That night 120,000 men died as Gideon and his men watched.
However, the story progresses as Gideon and his men pursue the remaining 15,000 and 2 kings and eventually catch and defeat them s well, killing the two kings. However, along the way, two towns refused to supply Gideon and his men food and water, and Gideon made them pay on his way back through by beating the leaders of one town viciously and then destroying the tower in the next town and killing the men there. When Gideon made a purge, he did so with might just as God described him in 6:12, calling him a "mighty warrior."
Gideon was then asked to rule over the people and he refused saying "The Lord will rule over you!" However, his story ends with a warning, much like Nehemiah's. Gideon took some of his spoils and made an ephod (garment) which eventually became an idol to the people. Instead of it being a reminder of what God had done (defeating the army of 135000 with 300) people began to say, look what Gideon has done and this ephod is a symbol of how great Gideon was. It says that is became a "stumbling block" to Gideon and his family and what God did for good turned into a "look what we accomplished!" 8:22-27
For the rest of Gideon's life, Israel had peace (40 years), however, it says immediately upon his death, the foolish Israelites returned to the worship of Baal and failed to be kind to Gideon's family.
There are MANY lessons we can take from this story, but I think the main one is this, "Remember God!" We are to remember the great things done in our lives are done by God and for God. He demands the glory and honor and we are to offer it always. Things we set up as a remembrance, if we are not careful will become the very things we replace God with. And like God destroyed the Midianite army, he will also destroy the idols we set up and "prostitute ourselves" before (8:27).
God is not afraid to use an Agent of Smash to purify his land and his people, and He has proven that over and over throughout history!
Until Next time.
Gideon is another one of those "least likely" guys to make this list. He was the youngest of his household and by his own account, from the weakest tribe in Israel. He lived in a time when the Israelites had again forsaken God and the punishment came in the form of a swarm of Midianites. According to the story, every year during crop time, the Midianites would come in and camp in the crop lands, destroying everything that was planted. It also says they left no sheep, cows, or donkeys for the Israelites. Imagine the difficulty of finding food for your family when everything you planted was destroyed 7 years in a row.
That was where we found Gideon, as he was threshing wheat in a winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. This is where God called him to be an Agent of SMASH, yet Gideon was not too certain even when faced with an "Angel of the Lord" who according to Scripture was "the Lord" himself. (Judges 6:11-15)
Even after finding himself in the Lords presence, Gideon still asked the Lord for proof. Actually, he was so timid that asked for proof several times. His first assignment was to tear down an alter to Baal and the Asherah pole in his town. He obeyed, however, it said "because he was afraid" (Judges 6:27), he did it under the cover of darkness in order to avoid the wrath of the family and neighbors. So he obeyed, but he still was scared. Gideon was a timid fellow.
This is proved again when he was told to prepare for the fight against the Midianites, after he had gathered the 32,000 men, who would go up against 135,000, he went to God and said "I need proof again!" Judges 6:36-40 is the story best known around Gideon regarding the fleece and the dew. Both his test were accepted and God showed that He would hold up His side of it all and deliver the Midianites into the hands of Gideon.
The only problem God had with it was Gideon had too many men. He did not want the men thinking they could win on their own strength. If you look at the numbers, 32000 vs 135000, that is not quite an position in which one might think the odds were in your favor. Every soldier Gideon had would have to defeat 4 Midianites at the same time to win. Not odds I would want in any fight. However, God said it was too many, so he made Gideon send everyone who was afraid home. (7:1-3) The result of this was Gideon was left with only 10,000 men.
Based on Gideon's track record, I am surprised he did not leave with those who were afraid. He was afraid when he realized the Angel was the Lord. He was afraid when he took down the Baal alter. He showed timidity when he asked for proof after gathering the army with the fleece test. SO it would have not been a huge surprise for him to leave with the men who were afraid to fight. But we see him there now with 10,000 men. The fighting odds just went from 1 vs 4 to 1 vs 13 for every remaining soldier. Gideon has to be thinking "Are you serious God?"
But God was not finished. He again told Gideon he had too many men still and set up another "filtering" test to get it down to the correct number according to God. When this test was finished, Gideon only had 300 men left. That means each man would have to battle 400 at a time and win in order for the battle to be won. When God says, "I will not share my glory" (Isaiah 42:8), He was not kidding. Can you imagine having to face a battle where it was you vs 400 at the same time? Gideon must have been overwhelmed at this point with fear. I would have been shaking in my boots and looking for the exit route, and I bet he was too. In fact, I know he was afraid because we are told he was in 7:10 when God said, "If you are afraid, take a servant and go down to the valley," and Gideon did. He took his servant to the valley because he was afraid. But what God did there was again offer proof that He would win this battle.
From there, the story is well known. Gideon takes his 300 men and divides them into 3 companies. They take their horn, a torch, and a jar to cover the torch light (notice the lack of a sward) and went to three sides of the valley. In the middle of the night, they blow the trumpets, Smash the jars, and yell out, "For the Lord and for Gideon!" and chaos erupted in the camp and the Midianites started killing each other as the fled. That night 120,000 men died as Gideon and his men watched.
However, the story progresses as Gideon and his men pursue the remaining 15,000 and 2 kings and eventually catch and defeat them s well, killing the two kings. However, along the way, two towns refused to supply Gideon and his men food and water, and Gideon made them pay on his way back through by beating the leaders of one town viciously and then destroying the tower in the next town and killing the men there. When Gideon made a purge, he did so with might just as God described him in 6:12, calling him a "mighty warrior."
Gideon was then asked to rule over the people and he refused saying "The Lord will rule over you!" However, his story ends with a warning, much like Nehemiah's. Gideon took some of his spoils and made an ephod (garment) which eventually became an idol to the people. Instead of it being a reminder of what God had done (defeating the army of 135000 with 300) people began to say, look what Gideon has done and this ephod is a symbol of how great Gideon was. It says that is became a "stumbling block" to Gideon and his family and what God did for good turned into a "look what we accomplished!" 8:22-27
For the rest of Gideon's life, Israel had peace (40 years), however, it says immediately upon his death, the foolish Israelites returned to the worship of Baal and failed to be kind to Gideon's family.
There are MANY lessons we can take from this story, but I think the main one is this, "Remember God!" We are to remember the great things done in our lives are done by God and for God. He demands the glory and honor and we are to offer it always. Things we set up as a remembrance, if we are not careful will become the very things we replace God with. And like God destroyed the Midianite army, he will also destroy the idols we set up and "prostitute ourselves" before (8:27).
God is not afraid to use an Agent of Smash to purify his land and his people, and He has proven that over and over throughout history!
Until Next time.
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