Mighty Man of Valor

1. Introduction

YaHuWaH, the Almighty Elohim of Israel, allowed several nations to test His people's allegiance. Overcoming these nations would be an impossible task for Israel, if she fought in her own strength or even if she sought help from unbelieving allies. The only way that Israel could win its battles was - if YaHuWaH was with her. Without His presence, Israel would never be able to stand, let alone defeat her opponents. But with the Holy One of Israel on her side, no enemy - however powerful - could even hope to overcome Israel. If, however, Israel forsook the Almighty and disobeyed His Torah (instructions), the Almighty said - over and over again - that He would withdraw His holy presence and Israel's defeat by her enemies would be inevitable. Most of the Old Testament books of the Bible tell of these facts over and over again.

Most of us have never fought in a literal war. To be sure we have lived through a world war, and some of us through two world wars, but most of us have not been on the actual battlefield - in the front line! So what can we learn from these Bible accounts of battles? Why were they recorded? Are they merely historical records, or do they have lessons for us in this century? The answer is: they contain vital lessons which are applicable to all believers in all ages.

2. Israel's Sin / Harassment

When we study Scripture we learn that every time Israel blatantly disobeyed YaHuWaH 's commandments the Most High handed Israel over to her enemies.

3. Prophetic Explanation

But the Almighty is a merciful Elohim. Every time Israel repented of her sins, cried unto YaHuWaH and returned to the pathway of faithful obedience, YaHuWaH delivered His people from their enemies.

4. Gideon

Gideon was a man who had no idea that he could be a mighty warrior and judge. Consider our introduction to this amazing man of valor.

5. Reservations

Gideon's astonishment at this amazing salutation and command is understandable: we would probably have echoed his feelings.

And he said unto him, 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. I will be with Thee

Notice how YaHuWaH dismissed these apparent disadvantages with this wonderful promise.

In other words He said, Gideon you are wrong in your assessment as to what is needed for victory because:

And that, dear friends, is all that we need for victory: the Almighty's presence in our lives. You may read the Bible from cover to cover and you will not find a greater promise than YaHuWaH and His Son's promise to BE WITH US.

7. First Things First

True though the foregoing facts may be, victory can never be achieved until certain mandatory conditions are met. They are:

• Faith in YaHuWaH and YAHUSHUA (the Rock of Israel)
• Obedience to the Almighty's holy Torah.

8. The Sword of Gideon

Even by human standards, the sword of Gideon was very weak. He didn't have money, power, influence or military training. Besides he was of little or no importance in Israel. Or so he thought. The fact was that he did have faith in YaHuWaH. When asked to 'cut down the altar of Baal' he obeyed. Thus his faith and obedience made him a mighty man of valor! He also offered up an acceptable sacrifice to YaHuWaH, a kid and unleavened cakes, both symbolic of the Savior's sacrifice and life. I repeat, Gideon's sword was faith and obedience. And that my dear friends, is all that is needed in this day of unbelief and blatant sin.

9. The Sword of YaHuWaH

The sword of YaHuWaH, as we would expect, is infinitely powerful. No enemy can stand before it.

Currently there are over 100 translations of the English Bible available; all claiming to be the Word of YaHuWaH, the Sword of the Spirit! This is one of the greatest tragedies of our time. We recommend a copy of the original manuscripts or Hebrew and Greek Interlinear Translations! Impossible things are accomplished if we remember the mandatory requirements for victory:

• Faith and Obedience.
• YaHuWaH 's Presence. Gideon recognized the value of YaHuWaH 's presence. Do you?
• Besides faith and obedience the sword of Gideon also included trumpets ('shofars') and frail pitchers which contained nothing but light. And only when the pitchers were broken and the shofars sounded did the Almighty step in and bring victory.

10. The Battle

Without a doubt this was one of the most amazing battles ever witnessed. Notice I didn't say 'ever fought' because Gideon's army didn't really do much physical fighting. They merely believed, let their light shine and sounded forth their trumpets. They then stood still and witnessed YaHuWaH win an amazing victory. And yet in one important sense they did fight a battle. They fought and overcame enemies within:

• Doubt: That the Almighty YaHuWaH was with them.
• Error: They put out all pagan worship.
• Poverty: They had no money, no equipment, no battle experience.
• Insignificance: Remember that only 300 of the 30,000 remained with Gideon to go up to the battle.
• Pride: They were willing to let their lights shine.
• Selfishness: They were willing to be broken.
• Silence: They blew their trumpets and cried aloud. The sword of YaHuWaH and of Gideon.
  
  Concerning our role in this respect we read in the prophecy of:
  

  Isaiah 58:

  1: Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet (shofar) and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Today we face a similar situation on the spiritual battlefield. We face many enemies. Are we ready for the spiritual battle? Or will we turn back like the first volunteers who presented themselves to Gideon?

In your own life, victory on an amazing scale is possible. But it depends on you. Think about it.