"But the Lord said to Gideon, 'You have too many men...' "
-Judges 7: 2

It Doesn't Make Sense

In the Old Testament book of Judges we can find the story of Gideon. He led the army of Israel against Israel's enemy the Midianites. How strong were the Midianites? "Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds. (Judges 6: 2) "They came up with their livestock and their tents like swarms of locust. It was impossible to count the men and their camels; they invaded the land to ravage it." (Judges 6: 5) Do you get the idea? The Midianites were powerful, large in number, and overwhelming the Israelites. Gideon, already an unlikely candidate to lead the Israelite army (you can read about that in Judges 6: 11-25) has assembled an army of 32,000 men to face the even larger army of the Midianites. "But the Lord said to Gideon, 'You have too many men...' " (Judges 7: 2). "What, are you crazy?" I can imagine Gideon saying to God. But Gideon was obedient and followed God's commands and watches his army go from 32,000 down to 22,000. "But the Lord said to Gideon, 'There are still too many men...' (Judges 7: 4) "Are you sure you know what you are doing?" Gideon must have been wondering. But again he did what God commanded him to do. So he watched as his army went from 22,000 to 300 men. "The Lord said to Gideon, 'With the 300 men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.' " (Judges 7: 7) What happened next? One of the most unexplainable military victories in world history. Gideon and his 'army' of 300 completed routed the massive Midianite army (read about it yourself in Judges chapter 7 & 8). Why did God do it this way? Because God wanted there to be no doubt that it was He who was winning the battle for Israel. God's plan went against worldly wisdom, it didn't make sense, but Gideon was faithful and obedient to what God called him to do and the Lord delivered the Midianites into his hands.

Need another example? How about Elijah's stunning 'victory' over the 450 prophets of Baal? You can read about this encounter in 1st Kings 18: 16-39. The story can be summed up as a contest between Elijah and 450 prophets of Baal to set an altar on fire by calling on their 'god' while Elijah will call upon the true God of Israel. The prophets of Baal fail miserably in their attempt to 'set their altar on fire.' Now it is Elijah's turn and what does he do before he begins? "He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, 'Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.' 'Do it again,' he said, and they did it again. 'Do it a third time,' he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench." (1 Kings 33-35) Doesn't exactly sound like an intelligent thing to do to an altar that you want to set on fire does it? Let's douse it with so much water that there is standing water in the trench all around it. What happened next? "At the time of the sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: 'O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.' Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.' " (1st Kings 18: 36-38) Wow! Once again, there was no doubt that it was God who performed this miracle.

God works miracles for those who place their faith in Him. Miracles happen when things don't make sense, and when they do, there is no doubt that it is God who deserves all the glory. Miracles go against worldly wisdom but aren't you glad to have as your Lord a God who is able to do things that defy worldly logic? A final example..."But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5: 8) Now that doesn't make sense to me...but I am so thankful for it. May the honor and glory be given to God for the many miracles that He has and continues to perform for us all. Amen!

Take a moment and encourage someone this week.

I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have any prayer concerns or praises. Have a great week and remember to smile :), the Lord loves you!

In Christ,

Shan D. Hartsough

"He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, 'Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.'
-1 Kings 17: 33

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