{"id":55310,"date":"2019-05-12T15:17:17","date_gmt":"2019-05-12T12:17:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=55310"},"modified":"2022-12-04T18:13:27","modified_gmt":"2022-12-04T16:13:27","slug":"gideon-is-like-moses-in-his-generation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/gideon-is-like-moses-in-his-generation\/","title":{"rendered":"Gideon Is Like Moses In His Generation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When Rabbi Yehoshua was forced to submit to the authority of Rabban Gamliel\u2019s Yavneh court, tells the Gemara, his friends tried to comfort him. One of them, Rabbi Dosa Ben Horkinas, argued that Rabban Gamliel\u2019s court — indeed, any court within its own generation — had the same legal status as the court of Moses. \u201cJerubaal (Gideon) in his generation,\u201d continues the Gemara, \u201cis like Moses in his generation,<\/span> Bedan (Samson) in his generation is like Aaron in his generation; and Jephthah in his generation is like Samuel in his generation.\u201d (Talmud Bavli, Rosh Hashana, 25B)<\/span><\/p>\n

The Talmud moves on with Rabbi Yehoshua\u2019s story, leaving these intriguing comparisons behind. Yet Judges 6 practically begs us to explore the Moses-Gideon pairing further. Both begin their initiation into leadership by encountering an angel of God. Both are then addressed by God Himself. Both are told that He will \u201csend\u201d (using the root sh.l.ch<\/em>) them to deliver His people. \u201cWho am I, that I should go to Pharaoh,\u201d(Exodus 3:11) exclaims Moses, and Gideon echoes this humility with \u201cPlease, my lord, how can I deliver Israel? Why, my clan is the humblest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father\u2019s household\u201d (Judges 6:15).<\/span><\/p>\n

God reassures both Moses and Gideon with the exact same words: \u201cI will be with you.\u201d (Exodus 3:12 and Judges 6:16).<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point the stories diverge, since God offers only Moses a sign (<\/span>ot<\/span><\/em> in Hebrew) \u201c that I have sent you\u201d (Exodus 3:12). But Gideon doesn\u2019t allow this divergence to stand: \u201cAnd he said to Him, \u201cIf I have gained Your favor, give me a sign that it is You who are speaking to me\u201d (Judges 6:17).<\/span><\/p>\n

Interestingly, the <\/span>settings<\/span><\/em> of these conversations stand in opposition to each other. Moses finds refuge in Midian, the very place that oppresses the Israelites in Gideon\u2019s day. Moses is engaged in his occupation as a shepherd when God approached him, and is sent to deliver his people (who were presented as shepherds in Genesis) from the agrarian Egyptians; Gideon is approached while he is engaged with his occupation as a farmer, and is sent to deliver his agrarian people from the Midianites <\/span>and their flocks<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps by framing these similar missions within opposing circumstances, the Bible reveals to us what leadership is at its core. The external circumstances of our crises come and go and change. Midianites can be our protectors — or our enemies. Shepherds, like farmers, can be our saviors — or foes. But leaders should always have humility; then God might be with them and lend them aid.<\/span><\/p>\n

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