How does Judges 8:20 connect with other biblical examples of courage? Setting the Scene • Judges 8:20: “So he said to Jether, his firstborn, ‘Get up and kill them!’ But the young boy did not draw his sword; he was afraid, because he was still a youth.” • Gideon’s victory over Midian is nearly complete; two captured kings await execution. Gideon offers his son the honor of finishing the task, a public act that would affirm God’s judgment and teach the next generation bold obedience. • Instead, Jether freezes. His reluctance stands in stark contrast to the fearless faith God consistently calls His people to exhibit. A Missed Moment for Courage • Scripture records Jether’s hesitation to highlight the cost of timidity when God-given duty is clear. • The literal narrative reminds us that courage is not innate to youth or age; it flows from trusting the Lord’s presence and promises (cf. Deuteronomy 31:6). • Gideon ultimately performs the execution himself (Judges 8:21), but the scene invites us to scan the wider biblical record for those who, unlike Jether, stepped forward in courage. Parallel Portraits of Courage • Joshua (Joshua 1:9) – Commanded: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous… the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua acted, crossing the Jordan and conquering Jericho. • Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:6-13) – While Israel trembled, Jonathan declared, “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few,” and climbed the Philistine outpost with only his armor-bearer. • David (1 Samuel 17:45-50) – A youth who did what Jether would not: “You come against me with sword and spear… but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” David’s faith produced fearless action. • Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego (Daniel 3:16-18) – Faced with a fiery furnace, they answered, “Our God… is able to deliver us… But even if He does not, we will not serve your gods.” • Esther (Esther 4:14-16) – Risked death to appear before the king, concluding, “If I perish, I perish.” • Peter and John (Acts 4:19-20) – Ordered to stay silent, they replied, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard,” demonstrating Spirit-empowered courage after Pentecost. • Paul (Acts 20:22-24) – Headed toward certain chains in Jerusalem: “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” Common Threads • God’s Presence – Each courageous act rests on knowing “the LORD is with you” (Judges 6:12; Joshua 1:9). • Clear Command – Whether explicit (Joshua) or implied through covenant loyalty (Daniel’s friends), courage rises when God’s will is known. • Faith over Fear – David and Jonathan viewed God, not giants or armies, as decisive. Fear shrinks when faith expands. • Public Witness – Courageous obedience often strengthens others (1 Samuel 14:15; Philippians 1:14). Jether’s silence deprived Israel of that example; David’s victory inspired a nation. Lessons for Us Today • Scripture faithfully records both triumphs and failures to teach (Romans 15:4). Jether’s hesitation warns against yielding to fear when God’s word is clear. • The same Spirit who emboldened Peter and Paul indwells believers now (2 Timothy 1:7). • Courage is not the absence of fear but obedience in spite of it, anchored in the unchanging promises of God. • Today’s “small” acts of faith may shape tomorrow’s history, just as David’s youthful victory echoed for generations. Judges 8:20, then, is a sober reminder: God-given opportunities call for courage. When they arise, let the examples of Joshua, Jonathan, David, and countless others propel us to act, confident that the Lord who authored their victories remains ever faithful. |
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