The Inner Lamp of Leadership

UV 1621/10000 The Inner Lamp of Leadership
So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.
Judges 7 v 19

Gideon was a leader called and anointed by the Lord. He was an unlikely leader. He did not expect to be anointed as a leader. He sought confirmation from the Lord that he was indeed called. He was given the details of how to “ fight” the Midianites who were superior in number and force. He was asked to go against them with just 300 men who were set apart. Leaders who are set apart by their love for God and a hunger and thirst for righteousness are mightier than the mightiest army. Such leaders are like a lamp burning within the earthen pitcher of their own bodies. Their faith is their trumpet that signals victory.

Gideon chose a strategic place and a strategic time to launch his attack. He chose the outside of the camp of the Midianites and the beginning of the middle watch when the guards were just about to change. Similarly, leaders should know the strategic times and the strategy that the Lord will give to create change and claim victory over the opposing forces of darkness. The pitchers that were broken are a metaphor for our own inhibitions, fears and limitations that the Lord breaks with His word. They had no weapons and no military training but were able to put the Midianites to rout and deliver Israel from oppression. The lamp of leadership that gives direction, illumination, warmth and guidance is the Word burning in our minds and hearts. That lamp generates power and victory.

The Lord delivered Israel through the strategy that He gave Gideon. The three hundred men were chosen on the basis of their lapping water like a dog from the hollow of their palms and not by bending down on their knees to drink directly from the river. The water is a metaphor for the Word. These men applied the manna or specific word they received from the Lord, the river of life on a daily basis, applied it and received blessing, anointing and power. The key factor was that the three companies of men Gideon chose acted in unison as led by the Lord. They were faithful and courageous to obey implicitly and follow the leadership of the Lord. They put their lives at risk on account of their confidence in the Lord and in Gideon, their divinely anointed leader. Similarly, we need to wait on the Lord for the details of His plan of action and share it with carefully chosen leaders who would implicitly obey the Lord in every detail of His instruction.

Prateep V Philip