Shelby County Today

October 2, 2024 - The story of Gideon is found in the Old Testament book of Judges (chapters 6-8). Gideon became Israel’s hero, saving his people from the Midianites. Gideon and a small group of 300 faithful followers, each carrying a trumpet and a jar with a burning torch inside, surrounded the Midianites army one night. Gideon signaled his followers to smash their jars, blow their trumpets and shout. The Midianites fled in terror as the Israelites attacked killing them all.

There are some valuable lessons in this ancient drama from Judges that form the basis for this story about the twenty-first century Gideons International. The Gideon story is important. The Midianites were going to destroy the Israelites. There were 32,000 men in the Israelite army gathered to help Gideon confront the Midianites. The Lord spoke to Gideon, saying, "The people are too many." God proposed eliminating those who were fearful and afraid eliminating 22,000 men. Then God even said, "These are still too many" and proposed another test that eliminated 9,700 of the remaining group, leaving only 300 with Gideon to confront the enemy.

Gideon and his band of 300 men took their trumpets, jars and lamps to surround the Midianites army following God's plan. The result was the defeat of their enemies and the deliverance of God’s people. The most important part of this story is not the defeat of the enemies and the deliverance of the Israelites. The most important part of the story is the obedience of Gideon and his small band to do exactly what God said. The Word of God is powerful and life-transforming. Out of this story a great group has emerged in recent history that has come to be known as Gideons International dedicated to the publication and distribution of the Bible and Scripture portions. They distribute freely the Scriptures in 199 countries world-wide. There are presently 269,500 Gideons in 200 countries and territories. Last year the Gideons gave away over 82,539,518 copies of the Bible or Scripture portions in 200 countries or territories in many different languages. Since 1908 Gideons have distributed over 2.5 billion copies of the Bible or Scripture portions.

The Gideons are most famous for placing Bibles in hotels and motels world-wide, but they also give New Testaments where they are permitted to 5th grade students in elementary schools. They also place Bibles through their women's auxiliary in doctors offices, lawyers offices and businesses where permitted. The Gideons also go to prisons and jails giving Bibles and Scripture portions where permitted.
 
For over thirty years the small country church where I'm a member has supported the Gideons monthly. This is one of our mission efforts to reach the world with the Word of God and the good news of Jesus Christ's salvation. Here is one testimony as to the power of God's Word in transforming and changing lives. This is the story of Satabdi in India that occurred in 2015.

Satabdi said, "I was born into an orthodox Hindu family. Gideons visited my school and gave me a New Testament. I read it, and God's Word changed my heart. I realized I was a sinner and believed in the Lord Jesus." She went on to share the results of that conversion, saying, "I wanted to share my joy with those who have no knowledge of God. So, I asked God to show me His will. I studied to earn a master's degree in theology and began serving as a missionary. I thank God for everything, and I am grateful to The Gideons International, whom the Lord used to bring me to Himself. May the Lord bring many more to His love through His Holy Word."

This is just one of many, many stories disclosing the power of God working through the reading of the Bible. The distribution of a single Scripture in the world costs merely a dollar and a quarter, including both the production and placement. The Gideons are a volunteer group of businessmen, laymen and their wives paying a membership fee that provides for the organizational leadership so that all money donated goes totally for Scripture distribution and nothing to organizational maintenance or management. The Gideons volunteer time, effort and personal contributions to give the Bibles and Scripture portions to those who want them.

The power of the Bible can be seen in history and individual lives. The seed of God's Word planted always produces good fruit in transformed lives. This is the meaning of Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing where to I sent it." The Bible produces dramatic results and transformations. This can be seen in the story of a prisoner named John in Colorado in February 2015. John shared, "I left home at 16, and by 21, I was out of control. I shot into a car and was arrested. I had no hope, no friends, and no family. However, there in my jail cell, I saw a Gideon-placed Bible. I had never read a Bible before. I learned about Jesus and His love. I prayed for the first time, and I was forever changed in one instant. I vowed to follow God and give my life to Him." John later became a pastor and today witnesses about his dramatic transformation.

There are many stories of the transforming power of the Bible in people's lives. You can find many more stories at www.gideons.org/blog and there you can find how to support the world-wide distribution of the Bible to those who need a copy of God's Word. You can also find information at www.friendsofgideons.org.

The official website of the Gideons International gives the purpose and history of this international movement devoted to distributing the Scriptures. That website says: “The Gideons International is an Association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus through associating together for service, sharing personal testimony, and by providing Bibles and New Testaments. While we are often recognized for our work with hotels, we also place and distribute Scriptures in strategic locations so they are available to those who want them, as well as to those who may not know they need them.” Gideons are a group of believers dedicated to making God’s Word available to everyone, working with local churches to reach souls for Christ.

I hope that you will learn more about this good organization and that you will encourage them through prayer and your personal and professional support. Share your thoughts with me at drjerryhopkins@yahoo.com or by snail mail at P. O. Box 1363, Marshall, Texas 75671. Dr. Jerry Hopkins is a historian and retired university professor.