Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did the Lord not bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.” And the Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” But he said to Him, “O Lord, how am I to save Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” (vv. 13-15)

Raising one person above others and humbling another both depend on God. When we are praised, we often think it is because of our hard work and abilities. But in reality, there is nothing in us that deserves praise apart from God. Throughout the Bible, those who hold a lowly position in society are often the ones God chooses for His work. Those who understand true humility will listen to God and do what pleases Him without boasting.

Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. Likewise, our Lord is referred to as the second Adam. King David was the youngest son of Jesse. In the same way, Gideon’s clan was the weakest in Manasseh, and he himself was the youngest in his family.

Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the uneven ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley. (Isaiah 40:4)

Our Lord had the humblest of beginnings in this world. He was born and laid in a manger, yet He was honored by the three wise men. His parents were poor, and God did not make them wealthy. Our Lord knew what it meant to experience hunger and understood our struggles. That is why He was tempted by the devil. Can physical hunger and suffering prevent us from believing in God? Our Lord proved that they cannot. Rather, it is the Holy Spirit within us who enables us to remain faithful.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after He had fasted for forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” (Matthew 4:1-4)

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good be from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” (John 1:46)

God knows that we need food for our physical bodies to survive. Yet our bodies will eventually die and return to dust. There is a deeper meaning behind humanity’s need for bread. God gave manna to the Israelites, but He was not concerned with satisfying their taste buds. When the Israelites complained, they were punished, as we read in Numbers 11.

We all claim that we believe in God, yet we are inclined to praise ourselves and other people. When food becomes scarce, our sinful nature is exposed, and we act like beasts by turning against one another. Faith is strengthened and proven genuine under harsh circumstances. It is not I who believe in God by my own strength, but the Holy Spirit who enables me to believe.

The theological term union with Christ refers to our being united with God through the Holy Spirit. Christ made this possible through His death on the cross. Therefore, our righteousness does not rest on our own will or effort but on the knowledge of God that comes through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

Gideon was chosen to deliver the Israelites, yet he later led them into idolatry. The praise of people can blind even God’s servants. It is better to remain in a humble position than to become a great figure in the church.

The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. (John 17:22-23)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)