Ecclesiastes 2:1 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
This has caused some to question God’s goodness in blessing him with so much wealth. Indeed, it is a very sad commentary on our sinful nature, that God has to think twice as it were, before blessing us. The same was true of King Saul, who at first seemed to be so humble, and willing to be led by God. But when he ascended the throne, he also became puffed up later on, so that the God of heaven could not even speak to him anymore.
1st Samuel 15: 10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repents me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. 17 And Samuel said, when you were little in thine own sight, was thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?
Therefore, our case study will involve Gideon, whom God chose as the instrument to deliver His people from the Midianites. Like David, like Saul and like Solomon, Gideon started off his mission, pretty humble, with a small view of himself, and being ever so careful to consult with God before making any move. The following passages show how little Gideon thought of himself, and how the angel of God had to encourage and goad him into the heroic act that would place him in the hall of fame with other Bible heroes.
Judges 6: 11 And there came an angel of the Lord and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!