Ministry is hard and ministers are flawed. This truth presents both insurmountable obstacles and everyday irritations on a regular basis. Ministers give in to doubts and distractions, cynicism and cowardice, gossip and glory-hunting. While gathered with fellow ministers we may pretend otherwise, but sitting alone in our studies, we know it’s true.
Judges 6–7 presents such a scenario—a difficult ministry for a flawed minister. Gideon’s narrative is familiar, but within it lie two often overlooked lessons that can help flawed ministers remain faithful. Despite Gideon’s deep flaws, God’s words and works ensure the man’s service bears fruit.
Remember God’s Words
Each cycle in Judges possesses a unique feature relevant to the particular judge under focus. In Samson’s cycle, for example, God sends him before Israel cries out for a rescuer. This underscores God’s initiative in saving his people. For Gideon, the unique feature is the appearance of a prophet (Judg. 6:7–8).
On account of their oppression at Midian’s hand, Israel cries out to God for salvation. In response, God sends not a savior but a sermon. A prophet visits Israel to deliver God’s words: “Thus says the LORD . . .” (v. 8). While God’s word is sent to the people at large, it’s also sent to Gideon personally. In verse 14, God gives Gideon a clear instruction and promise: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?”
Gideon knows these words. As he prepares to test God with the fleece, Gideon says, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said . . .” (v. 36, emphasis added). How flawed Gideon is. Twice he hears God’s words, and yet even as they ring in his ears, he doubts them. He doesn’t trust what he heard from God. He wavers from what he knows. And this isn’t a single moment of weakness—Gideon asks for an initial sign in verse 17 and then, in verses 37 and 39, two further signs with the fleece. He doubts God’s word.
We know this aching doubt all too well. God’s word, after all, is clear. We can read and understand it. Yet we doubt. We wonder if it means what it says. We pause and consider, Should I actually preach that? We cower at the societal pressure and convince ourselves that keeping our head below the parapet will be wiser in the long run. Like Gideon, we ask God to double-confirm what he’s already said.
If our ministry will be marked by faithfulness, we must remember God’s words—and trust them. We must herald God’s words. We must proclaim the whole counsel of God’s will unashamedly. We must be unafraid to declare the word we’ve heard. There’s no other way to stay faithful.
Recall God’s Works
One reason for remembering God’s words is that they tell of God’s deeds. Gideon experienced several significant works of God. He met the angel of the Lord (v. 12)—which we believe to be a preincarnate appearance of the Son. Gideon witnessed fire springing up from the rock, consuming the meal he’d prepared for the angel of the Lord (v. 21). A true Gandalf moment. Finally, in an action dripping with grace, Gideon had his petulant request regarding the fleece answered twice, once when the fleece was wet and once when the fleece was dry (vv. 36–40). All this Gideon saw. Each of these works took place in front of him.
If our ministry is to be marked by faithfulness, we must remember God’s words—and trust them.
Gideon sees even more. In Judges 7, we have the familiar account of Gideon defeating the 135,000-strong Midianite army (8:10) with only 300 Israelites. These Israelites carried no swords, but in one hand each soldier held a trumpet and in the other a torch. Picture each man creeping toward the Midianites, preparing to yell, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon” (7:18 KJV), all the while looking at a torch in one hand and a trumpet in the other. Where on earth is my sword? But salvation belongs to the Lord, and he delivers it.
Salvation is not just Gideon’s experience but the history of his people as well. The prophet who appeared at the beginning of Judges 6 urged the people to recall the exodus (vv. 8–9). Others had experienced similarly remarkable works of God.
God teaches his flawed ministers that our own hands don’t save us (7:2). Nor can they save anyone else. We can’t save people. We can’t sanctify people. We can’t secure people. Only God can do this. Only God will. He has promised to build his church, and he’ll do it.
God teaches his flawed ministers that our own hands don’t save us. Nor can they save anyone else.
In both of our ministries, we (Davy and Jeff) have witnessed God’s work. We’ve seen salvation in unlikely scenarios and steadfastness under great suffering. We’ve seen love that breaks down barriers. We’ve seen growth, numerically and spiritually, beyond what we might expect. All of it had nothing to do with us, but what’s impossible with human beings is possible with God.
If we’re to remain faithful in ministry, we must recall God’s works—and trust he’ll work again. We must live expectantly for God’s work, not our own. God’s arm isn’t too short to save. Just recall God’s works to be reassured.
The Pattern
This pattern of God’s words and works is threaded throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 4, in the climax to Moses’s first sermon, God calls his people to remember his words and recall his works. These features will be foundational to their life together. In 2 Chronicles 17, King Jehoshaphat sends his officials throughout the cities of Judah to teach the Book of the Law of the Lord (i.e., Deuteronomy). In 2 Chronicles 18, God sends a prophet to Jehoshaphat and Ahab with his word. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat then experiences God’s works when God grants him victory against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir. In 2 Timothy, Paul recalls God’s works of salvation in his and Timothy’s lives (2 Tim. 1:9) then says God’s profitable words should be preached (3:16–17; 4:2).
Ministry is hard and ministers are flawed. Yet we’ll be able to face insurmountable obstacles and everyday irritations if we remember God’s words and recall his works. These often overlooked but obvious truths will not bring followings, fortune, or fame. But they’ll bring the fruit of a quiet faithfulness that equips us to finish the race.
The Gospel Coalition