גדעון

Gideon is the judge who began his path in the humility of one who does not believe in himself, and ended as a savior. At a time when Midian oppressed Israel, an angel appeared to him and called him 'mighty man of valor,' but Gideon answered with hesitation: 'with what shall I save Israel, behold my family is the poorest in Menasheh and I am the youngest in my father's house' (Judges 6:15). The hero began from smallness.

Gideon asked for signs again and again, with the fleece of wool, for he feared to believe he was chosen. And when he went out to battle, God commanded him to reduce his army from thirty-two thousand to only three hundred, 'lest Israel boast over Me, saying my own hand has saved me' (Judges 7:2). The victory came with few, so that it would be clear it was from Heaven.

And here too is great humility: when they asked him to rule over them and his sons, Gideon refused: 'I will not rule over you... God will rule over you' (Judges 8:23). He did not turn the mission into a crown. Though not all his deeds were perfect, in this matter he taught a principle: the savior is not the owner of the salvation.

What do we learn from him? That the true savior begins in humility and does not take the honor for himself. Gideon teaches that God chooses precisely 'the youngest in his father's house,' that victory is given 'with few' so we remember who the savior is, and that one who refuses to turn a mission into a crown, 'God will rule over you,' understands the root of valor.