There is All Fullness in Christ

“The children of Israel did evil in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years” (Judges 6:1).

Gideon’s history is of much practical importance. It is the history of one of those revivals in Judges, so peculiarly applicable to the present circumstances and need of the Church.

Every now and again Israel had been sold into the hands of their enemies. Groaning under the consequences of their sin, they had cried to Jehovah; and Jehovah, ever faithful, had raised up someone as a deliverer out of the hands of those that spoiled them. Such a “savior” was Gideon.

The Midianites knew not that it was Jehovah who had delivered Israel into their hands; yet in reality, they were but the rod with which it pleased Him to punish His people. When He has done with His rod, He can break it or burn it. Satan himself is very often the rod used by God for the discipline of His children.

“And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel…For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as locusts for multitude; both they and their camels were without number; and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of Midian” (Judges 6:5-6).

They were in a sad condition. “And the children of Israel cried to Jehovah.” This is always the first symptom of anything like a revival. When the people of God, instead of saying that they are rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, feel how really poor and miserable, an blind and naked they are, and that they can only receive that which God is pleased to give, He is about to interfere and raise them up.

Whether as to Israel, or an individual, or the Church, the lesson that needs to be learned is the same, that of its impoverishment and destitution. No matter how poor we are, if we are sensible of our poverty, there is all fullness in Christ.

J.N.D.