I have made it a goal of reading the Bible every year.  I’m currently on my fifth go-around, and in the book of Judges.  Also, on Wednesdays at church, we are studying the book of Daniel.  I wish I were a Daniel, but I find myself relating to Gideon so much more. 

Both men lived as minority faithful to God in the midst of unbelievers. Gideon lived in Israel, but many of the Jews had forsaken God to worship other gods.  Daniel lived centuries later, following another period when Jews had abandoned the one true God.  Daniel was exiled out of Israel to Babylon and surrounded by idol worshippers. 
  
Both men were used by God to have great influence.  Gideon is remembered as a judge in Israel that lead the people to fight against the Midianites.   Daniel was known for becoming a high-ranking official in both Babylon and Persia when they conquered Babylon.

Though both men were called on to display courage, I found Gideon’s response to be more like what I would probably feel – namely, fear. There is no mention of Daniel ever being afraid when he is challenged to stay faithful to God.  Gideon had doubts immediately and God had to constantly reassure him.  Judges 6:27 even says “and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city.”  Gideon experienced fear, yet he still obeyed God.

By the way, it’s notable that before there was a battle with the Midianites, God told Gideon to tear down the false god and worship the true God first.  He needed to address the enemy within himself (fear) before going to the enemy outside his community.  He not only took down the alter to Baal, he built an alter to the Lord.  Gideon had to stand up for God within his own community before he could be a leader of the community.  He showed that a godly leader not only tears down evil things, but also builds up worthy things.

God knew that Gideon was afraid, and was gracious enough to reassure him of victory.  After God had dwindled the number of soldiers under Gideon to just 300, he was probably nervous.  Not only had God told him several times that He had already given Gideon the victory, God suggested that he and his servant go down to overhear what the enemy was saying (Judges 7:10).   Notice he did not turn that offer down.  Of course what God allowed him to overhear reassured Gideon that obeying God leads to being on the winning side.

Not only did I relate to Gideon’s fear, but also his materialism.  After beating the Midianites, Gideon is asked to rule over Israel.  He turns this offer down, but asks for golden earrings.  He gets at least 700 shekels of gold.  Judges 8 talks Gideon’s downhill slide with misusing the gold to make an ephod (which only Levites were supposed to make and he’s not a Levite!) and getting himself several wives and having 70 sons.  Contrast this with Daniel, who is offered gold, scarlet clothes, and to be the third ruler in Babylon (See Daniel 5), and he turns it all down. 
 
Again, I wish I were a Daniel, but I’m closer to being a Gideon.  I’m afraid of failing and receiving ridicule.  Also, I do like stuff, probably too much.  I do have something that is more like Daniel than Gideon that may make a huge difference.  Both Daniel and I have godly friends that we can depend on.  Servants are mentioned, but Gideon didn’t seem to have a friend who could pray with him or tell him that he’s being an idiot!  Daniel had Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (a.k.a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego).  By the way spellcheck does not like their Jewish names, but has no problem with their Babylonian names! 

Anyway, I think having companions who will be honest and love the Lord could have made a huge difference in Gideon’s life.  Friends were important enough for Daniel, that he helped them get promoted in the Babylon kingdom (Daniel 2).  I’m certainly thankful for the wonderful people God has put in my life to pray for me and encourage me.  I would not be as strong in my relationship with God if He did not surround me with such wonderful people!