TheoTrek — A Journey with God in Discipleship
Too Much for God
Judges 7:1-9
Rev. Chrístopher Harbin, First Baptist Church, Huntersville, NC
17 January 2010
We say that God is supremely powerful and sovereign. We say God can do all things. This is true. At the same time, this text of Judges indicates that there are some things that just might be too much for God. In this story of Gideon, the enemy was not too great for God, but Gideon’s forces were too much from God’s perspective.
Gideon found himself in a tight place with the rest of his nation. There were many people who had come to his land to take away all the agricultural produce. They were not fools, for they waited until the fields had been harvested, taking the fruit of the Hebrews’ labor. When God’s word came to Gideon, he thought that what he could do against a Midianite army of 130,000 waiting to steal the Hebrews harvest was insignificant.
When Gideon finally found the confidence to confront this army, God told him he was counting on too many warriors. From 33,000 initial soldiers, God left Gideon with only 300. One soldier against four would give the Hebrews too much advantage. But God was not satisfied. God also considered one against thirteen as too much advantage. On getting down to what we would consider an absurd ratio of one against over 430, God was satisfied. There would be no option now other than trusting in the action and power of God.
Gideon would not be the one to obtain victory over the Midianites. The victory would be solely Yahweh’s, God of Israel. With risky numbers of one against four, it would be possible for the people to think the Hebrews warriors were very bold. Reduced to one against 430, they would have to recognize God’s hand. It is in the difficulties like this that God is seen to be present. When life is easy and simply a little risky, it is too much for God. God likes us to truly trust in what God alone can accomplish. Anything else is just too much for God.
—©2010 Chrístopher B. Harbin