One of the traits that caused me to fall in love with my husband was the way he treated his much younger sisters. I knew he would be a wonderful father, and he is. He is particularly good at teaching the kids to do things for themselves- from tying their shoes to changing the oil or AC filter. But he also always wants the kids to know they can rely on him when they need advice, back-up, or just a little more- whatever that might be.
Good dads teach their kids to trust their own strength when they can- they teach their kids independence; but good dads also want their kids to know that they are always ready to lend a hand.
The scripture this week from Isaiah is so full of promise and beauty, but there is one verse that tends to be overlooked, and it reveals a powerful aspect of the goodness of our Heavenly Father.
“For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian.” Isaiah 9:4
For the original readers, this verse would have brought back the whole story of Gideon- the one where he had to cut his army back from over 22,000 men to 300. And that was to fight an enemy the size of “locusts in abundance,” with “camels without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.” (Whole story in Judges 6-7. It’s worth a read).
This was a brutal, harsh enemy who allowed the Israelites to plant and cultivate a field, then would swoop in and overtake them at harvest time stealing the produce as well as all the livestock. They drove out the Israelites, and laid waste to their land.
Ok. So God probably gave them some awesome weapons, or maybe he sent a disaster to help out?
No, God armed Gideon and his army with torches, clay pots, and trumpets. With these weapons and a little cunning, Gideon divided up his men. In three groups, the three hundred men surrounded the sleeping enemies in their own camp. On Gideon’s signal his men all blew their trumpets and smashed their jars, crying out “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!”
The enemy was thrown into confusion, fought amongst themselves and ran away in defeat. God worked through Gideon and his little army to accomplish the rescue of Israel.
This is the story the original readers would have remembered.
So as we celebrate the light shining in our lives, we celebrate that we are a people with a good Father. Yes, he has broken the yoke of slavery and lifted the burdens we cannot bear. But he invites us to participate in our victories, as he invited Gideon. Gideon even had to go into enemy territory in order to realize the victory, though he clearly could have never succeeded without his Heavenly Father.
My son has told me it’s hard being a teen who wants to follow God today, and I believe him. Sometimes, I feel like we are living in hostile territory- not among hostile people, but in a culture that is hostile to the nurturing of godly values and wise choices.
I think we and our kids need this message of deliverance as much today as ever.
May the light reveal to us the strength and power God has given each of us, as well as his presence as the good Father who makes up all that we lack.
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