“And the men of [the tribe of] Ephraim said to Gideon, “What is this thing that you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight with Midian?” And they quarreled with him vehemently. But he said to them, “What have I done now [that is so significant] in comparison with you? … G-d has given the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb into your hands; and what was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger toward him subsided when he made this statement.”
Judges 8:1-3 AMP
I kind of love Gideon’s response in this passage and think there is a lot to learn from him in this exchange.
The Ephraimites were known as a tribe of warriors, yet they were excluded from the 300 G-d chose to go to battle with Gideon. Their very identity was threatened!
And when they angrily confronted Gideon, instead of engaging in an argument, Gideon reaffirmed their identity, thereby reaffirming their value and contributions. Gideon honored them instead of arguing them. Gideon answered with humility instead of defense.
“Lashing out” is a common response to a threat. Our brains are wired for fight or flight – freeze or flee. That’s what the Ephraimites were doing – fighting because they were afraid of losing their “job” or position. Their identity was tied to WHAT they did and the role they served among the tribes, having been called upon often to wield a sword in battle.
Yet here they were – the unspoken question driving them likely being one I often hear whispered in my mind: who am I really, behind the mask of what I do?
At times I’ve measured my value and been measured by what I do rather then who G-d has made me to be. And when He asked me to lay down serving a Pastor I deeply loved, to walk away from my comfort zone, to leave the classroom, and to let go of a dream, I’ve asked – if I don’t DO this, then who am I? Why didn’t you call me to fight, to serve, or to go?
I will never know why to all of my questions – but I have found that the journey of discovering my identity as His daughter has meant being stripped of things I “do”. It’s so easy for me to equate my value and self worth with WHAT I do more than who I am in Him because of His Son.
Who I am is so much more than what I do and what is seen by others. Who you are is so much more than what you do and what is seen by others.
G-d called Gideon a man of valor. G-d told Gideon his identity. When my identity is found solely in Him, I don’t have to defend myself, I don’t have to work harder or do more, I can just be.
Father, thank You for making a way for me. You paid a high price to make me Your own. Help me to find my value in You – not in what I do or a title I hold. May my life plainly reflect You in all things. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Judges 8-9