Gideon's Lack Of Self-esteem

"But Lord,  Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."....Judges 6:15

At first, in his talk with the Angel, Gideon was positive and determined when he manifested his revolt against the situation of his people. But soon after he was chosen to save Israel, he drew back. It seems the weight of responsibility brought him to his senses, and he began to use his physical limitations as an excuse:

"O my Lord, how can I save Israel? I have no army, no weapons, no money, nothing! My family's financial situation is very bad. We are the poorest in the tribe of  Manesseh, and I am the least in my father's house! Who am I?

In spite of his noble ancestry, as Manasseh was the first born of Joseph, Jacob’s son, Gideon’s family was still the poorest. The fact that Joseph had been the second most powerful man in Egypt did not mean anything to Gideon’s family because he was living in Canaan and not in Egypt.

As if this were not enough, he was the least in his father’s house, not in physical height, but in importance. In summary Gideon was the least of the least. In every family there are those who stand out and those who go unnoticed. Gideon was simply the last…

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence”….1 Corinthians 1:27-29”

Gideon’s modest and humble character, despite being strong and determined on the inside, is a marking characteristic in the profile of God’s chosen ones. That was the reason why the Lord told him:

Since I am with you…go ahead! You shall strike the multitude of the Midianites as if they were only one man! This promise was enough to encourage him but not to the point of leading him to take immediate action, since he asked for a sign from God.

It is very important to emphasise that Gideon showed revolt and indignation before the Lord for the situation in his country. He had the full assurance that his people’s predicament was not the will of God, but because of his insignificant standing, it was difficult for him to believe one hundred percent in his appointment. That is why he asked for signs….would you have asked for signs if you were in Gideon’s shoes??

This is what happens to most Christians! They believe God does today what He did in the past; they believe in the wonders God has done in the lives of others who give their testimonies, but still entertain doubts in their minds. Not doubts about the power of God, of course, but doubts that He has chosen them also!

They say:

-No, this is not for me…

-I do not deserve this…

-My fate is to suffer

-My destiny ( my defeat) has already been written in the stars…

-This is a test…

-This is my cross…

-This is my hard luck…

Let me say this again, Christian’s greatest problem is the thoughts of inferiority or prejudice they have about themselves. With negative words and thoughts, they have built barriers of steel around themselves…and the more they confess these kinds of thoughts, the harder it becomes to break free…because they have developed prejudices and negative ideas against themselves mentally, and as they think so they become. For this reason they arrive at foolish conclusions, thinking that God is good and great only for others. Scholars call this lack of self-esteem. This way of thinking impedes the action of the Holy Spirit within the person!

In the thoughts of God we find this teaching:

“He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap”….Ecclesiastes 11.4.

Gideon also manifested the same lack of self-esteem shown by Moses and Jeremiah. When Moses was called, his reply to God was:

“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?... Exodus 3:11.

“But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’… Exodus 4:1.

“O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow tongue”…Exodus 4:10.

“O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send”…Exodus 4:13.

Before this flood of excuses, “the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses”.

This is how Jeremiah answered his call:

“Ah Lord God! Behold I cannot speak, for I am a youth”…Jeremiah 1:6.

And God’s immediate reaction was:

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth’, for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak”….Jeremiah 1:7.

Let go of low self-esteem and negativity today in your life!!!

Comments from you: What verses or insights stand out to you in this reading? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless
Enim