Now all the Midianites, Amalekites and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him. Judges 6:33-34 NIV

Arriving at college in Alabama in the early 80’s was a seasonal clothing shock for me. As a Florida native, our change of seasons went from hot to warm and then less warm. So many people wearing dark clothing colors in the winter definitely added to the dreariness of the gray skies. When the spring hit, the clothing and flowers bloomed at the same time. I remember calling my mom to tell her about girls wearing green skirts with pink hippos on them. Everyone looked alive and beautiful. Clothing matters.

Gideon had two callings from the Lord. The first was to help them repent and turn their worship to the one true God. This calling started with the destruction of the Baal altar and the Ashtera pole and the reinstituting of the sacrifices to God on the new altar,

The second calling was the deliverance of his people from the Midianite invaders. Remember, the Midianites would wait to invade at harvest time. Like Gideon when the Angel appeared, many of the Israelites were gathering the harvest in secret places. As the enemy was arriving for attack, the Spirit came upon Gideon.

Came upon in Hebrew is labash pronounced (law-bash‘). It literally means to be clothed. The Spirit enveloped Gideon. This was more than an inspiration. This was more than a coming alongside to give aid and assistance. This was different than the encounter with the Angel giving instructions. God rested upon Gideon.

Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they had been endued with power. The Holy Spirit would come upon them and they would receive power to be His witnesses.

No one can be saved without the presence of the Holy Spirit performing a new birth. Jesus plainly said what is born of Spirit is Spirit, you must be born again. Many believe this occurred for the disciples in one of their early interactions with the risen savior. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22. Notice they received peace with God and the Holy Spirit. Many acknowledge this was their new birth. Later He will tell them to wait for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Why?

Gideon had the command to deliver God’s people, he needed God’s power and presence. Do you think people are tempted to try to serve God without the power of the Spirit? What would that look like? What would be the fruit of that experience? What would Gideon’s outcome have been, without the clothing of the Holy Spirit?

As a believer,,,

  • What was your salvation experience with being born again?
  • How does the power of the Holy Spirit manifest in your life?
  • What spiritual gifts did He equip you with to obey His calling?
  • How do you discern when He is speaking to you?
  • How would you characterize your life as “walking in the Spirit”

Nothing in this text describes how Gideon knew that the Spirit had come upon him. But the immediate action afterwards reveals that a change had taken place. He was bold. Notice he grabbed a trumpet, a shofar, and blew it loud and clear for the people to come to him. Gideon was different.

I pray that you and I are saturated with, baptized with, immersed in the power and presence of the Spirit.  Find your trumpet and blow. God has great things in store for you. You might even be bold enough to wear pink and green in the winter…no way.

Blessings Love y’all