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REFLECTION

In weakness, strength is the theme for our reflection. Gideon’s regime as leader and judge over Isreal started well but was later characterised by spiritual and moral weakness. We are told that “Gideon made the gold into an ephod, which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.” (Judges 8:27) Again, “He had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives. His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek. Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (Judges 8:30-32) The weakness in Gideon’s leadership or the consequences of his poor spiritual and moral character made it such that “No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals. They set up Baal-Berith as their god and did not remember the LORD their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them. (Judges 8:33-35) In other words, as a leader and judge, Gideon was unable to sustain the faith of Israel and guide them to completely focus on God during his tenure.

Regardless of the weakness in Gideon’s leadership, the nation experiences peace under the divine protection and strength of God. God did not only save Israel from the Midian but “During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years.” (Judges 8:28). In other words, even in weakness of leadership, the nation still thrived in the strength of God. Paul also experienced physical weakness and the Lord assured Him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Isreal during the time of Gideon can be described as a nation under grace which experienced God’s power in weakness. It is important to understand that grace is experiencing God’s power or strength in our weakness. We must, however, in our weakness acknowledge God’s grace in our lives, repent and through His empowerment live a life that is pleasing to Him. Most often, in our weakness, we abuse the grace and the power of God at work in our lives. This was the case in Isreal under the leadership of Gideon. Paul admonishes us that “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:1-4)

Beloved in the Lord, the fact that we are spiritually and morally weak yet we continue to experience peace and prosperity does not mean all is well. The fact that we are corrupt but progressing in our endeavours does not mean we are living a successful life according to the will of God. The only reason we experience peace and success amidst our weaknesses and unfaithfulness is that God is gracious or merciful to us. It is important to note that this grace is not perpetual, therefore, let us “…. make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) Beloved in the Lord, if we are still alive today, let us acknowledge our weakness, repent and live by the grace and strength that God has given even as we await the second coming of your Lord Jesus Christ. “For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:13-14) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to overcome our weaknesses and help us to live a life that is pleasing to God even as we continue to be beneficiaries of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.