Compare Gideon's initial fear with other biblical figures' responses to God's calling. Setting the Scene: Gideon in the Winepress • Judges 6:11: “Then the Angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.” • Gideon is literally underground—beating out a few kernels in secret, nervous about marauding Midianites. • His posture reflects his heart: cautious, fearful, feeling insignificant. Gideon’s First Words: Caution Mixed with Doubt • Judges 6:13: “Please, my lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?” • Immediate reaction: questioning God’s presence and goodness. • Focused on oppression, not on promise; fear shapes his perspective. Moses: Reluctant Leader at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3–4) • Exodus 3:11: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?” • Objection cascade: lack of authority, fear of rejection, speech difficulties. • God’s remedy: His name (“I AM”), signs, Aaron’s partnership. • Like Gideon, Moses hides behind perceived inadequacies. Jeremiah: “I Am Only a Youth” (Jeremiah 1:4-8) • Jeremiah 1:6: “Ah, Lord GOD, I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth!” • Fear of inexperience and public confrontation. • God touches his mouth, promises His presence—echoes to Gideon’s “Surely I will be with you” (Judges 6:16). Jonah: Flight from God’s Presence (Jonah 1-2) • Jonah 1:3: “But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.” • Not mere hesitation—outright escape. • Fear intertwined with resentment toward Nineveh. • God’s pursuit (storm, fish) parallels the Angel’s pursuit of Gideon in hiding. Isaiah: Overwhelmed by Holiness (Isaiah 6:1-8) • Isaiah 6:5: “Woe to me, for I am ruined! … for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.” • Fear rooted in personal sinfulness before divine majesty. • Fiery coal cleanses; fear turns to eager “Here am I. Send me!” • Gideon, too, fears death after realizing he saw the Angel (Judges 6:22-23). Mary: Troubled Yet Trusting (Luke 1:26-38) • Luke 1:29-30: “Mary was greatly troubled at his words… But the angel told her, ‘Do not be afraid.’” • Social risk and human impossibility mirrored by Gideon’s military impossibility. • Response shifts quickly to surrender: “May it be to me according to your word.” Peter: Awe and Astonishment on the Lake (Luke 5:4-11) • Luke 5:8: “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” • Initial fear of divine power; Jesus answers, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” • Like Gideon, Peter is commissioned despite fear and perceived unworthiness. Common Threads: What Fear Reveals • Awareness of inadequacy—no one feels naturally “qualified.” • Distorted focus—on enemies (Gideon), eloquence (Moses), youth (Jeremiah), past sin (Isaiah, Peter). • God’s consistent answer: His presence, His word, His enabling signs. God’s Solutions to Fear • Promise of companionship: “Surely I will be with you” (Judges 6:16; cf. Exodus 3:12; Jeremiah 1:8; Matthew 28:20). • Confirmation through signs: fleece for Gideon, staff-to-snake for Moses, visions for Jeremiah and Isaiah. • Reassurance of identity: “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12)—calling out what He will make, not just what is. Takeaways for Today • God meets His servants where they are—winepress, desert, fishing boat. • Fear does not disqualify; it becomes the backdrop for God’s power. • The pattern is clear and reliable: calling, fear, reassurance, obedience, victory—because the LORD Himself guarantees the outcome. |
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