«For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind» (2 Timothy 1:7).
FOR SEVEN YEARS, Israel was under the oppressive power of the Midianites. «Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord» (Judges 6:6). The help God decided to give them was named Gideon. As the angel of the Lord said when he appeared to him, Gideon was a «mighty man of valor» (verse 12). It can be deduced from these words that he had distinguished himself as a man of war, because in the original Hebrew these are words normally used with this meaning (see The Seventh-day Adventist Biblical Commentary, vol. 2, p. 342).
He also had servants (see Judges 7:10), so he was likely in a good economic position. Although he was possibly a man of war and wealth, Gideon was humble, for he did farming chores—that is what he was doing when the angel saw him (see verse 11). And that humility was seen in his response to the angel: «How can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house» (verse 15). Gideon thought that there were undoubtedly more others more prepared than he, more experienced, worthier of the call that was being made to him. He didn’t think of himself more highly than he should, but in moderation, after analyzing the talents he thought he had received from the Lord (see Romans 12:3).
Gideon is an example of humility for us today. When you are tempted to think yourself better than you really are, remember Gideon; when you feel like thinking that no one else can do things as well as you, remember Gideon; when you believe yourself to be indispensable, think of Gideon. Also refresh in your mind the passages of the Bible that urge us to be humble, such as these:
- «Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love» (Ephesians 4:2, NLT).
- «Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself» (Philippians 2:3).
- » When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom» (Proverbs 11:2).
- «Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up» (James 4:10).
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Take From: Daily Devotions for Women’s 2020
«One Day at a Time»
From: Patricia Muñoz Bertozzi
Collaborators: Lorina Maya & Alejandra Zavala
