Gideon has come a long way from the weak, defeated man we first met in Judges 6:11. Empowered by God's Holy Spirit and roused to action, he sounds the war trumpet, and the entire region rallies to him (vv. 33-35). The same Abiezrites who were prepared to kill Gideon for his destruction of the Baal shrine are now willing to follow, and his influence has grown (vv. 34-35).

The source of this influence is clear. The writer uses picturesque language-″the Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon″ (v. 34 ESV)-to describe a man putting on his clothes (Genesis 28:20) or a warrior putting on a suit of armour (Isaiah 59:17). What a delightful picture! The Holy Spirit takes possession, indwelling and empowering him. We saw similar language in Othniel's life (Judges 3:10), and will see it again in Jephthah (11:29) and Samson (13:25; 14:6; 15:14).

We can learn two lessons from the way God worked in Gideon's life. First, the Holy Spirit does not destroy our individuality. When Gideon was indwelt by the Spirit, he remained Gideon. He did not become Othniel, Samson, or Jephthah. The Holy Spirit does not bring a dull conformity into our lives, but rather the power to be what God calls us uniquely to be.

Second, the ministry of the Holy Spirit is directly related to obedience. We are commanded in Ephesians 5:18 to ″be filled with the Spirit″ so that certain results might follow. In Colossians 3:16, we are told to ″let the message of Christ dwell among you richly,″ and the same results follow. There is an intimate connection between the filling of the Spirit and obeying God's Word; the picture of the Holy Spirit clothing Gideon immediately following Gideon's act of obedience suggests that same connection.

There were three things that produced changes in Gideon's life: He had first-hand contact with the Lord (Judges 6:11); he decisively and publicly committed himself to the Lord by an act of obedience (v. 27); and he came under the control of the Holy Spirit (v. 34). It was not by might or power, but by God's Spirit that Gideon was equipped to serve God.

The Spirit's ministry is essential in our lives if we are to accomplish anything of value. Just as Gideon's rallying of the Israelites and his victory was directly due to the Spirit of God, our effectiveness is directly dependent upon Him. The same Holy Spirit who clothed Gideon has come to indwell us as children of God. We are His temple, His dwelling place (1 Corinthians 6:19).