If we were able to travel back in time to catch an overview of what really happened in history and sit and talk with the key players, what could we learn? We could pick up some new and amazing facts—putting modern historians to shame—and we could also learn why people chose to do the things they did.

However, since God's laws of time and physics don't allow time travel at present, a good historian has to be content with assembling the jigsaw puzzle of the past to render a balanced and careful analysis of events, facts, motivations and outcomes.

With limited space, let's scratch the surface in considering what we can learn from two historical figures—one from more than 3,000 years ago and one from more than 200 years ago.

When God calls

George Washington (1732-1799), the foremost general of the American War of Independence and the first president of the republic, made copious notes on his life. Nearly every piece of writing from his early adulthood onward he kept for future generations. Yet how could he sense that he would play an important role in the future of the American Colonies, making his papers so valuable?

How does a leader come to know he or she has been chosen to lead? Is it simply an inward aspiration for greatness, or is it some sort of calling? For key biblical figures, there was clearly an actual calling that came from God. In the case of Gideon, one of the judges of Israel during the 12th century B.C., the call to leadership came by way of a visit from the Angel or Messenger of the Lord (Jesus Christ before His human birth).

Ironically, Gideon, whose story is recorded in Judges 6–8, was a reluctant leader. He came from Gilead, part of the tribe of Manasseh, one of the 12 tribes that made up Israel. His family was a clan of little importance. Gideon couldn't figure out why he was chosen.

In fact, he needed some definite proof that this was a work of God and not of more dubious origins. So he asked God for signs. The Angel of the Lord responded and consumed Gideon's food offering with instantaneous fire from a rock. When chosen to lead to attack the Midianites, who were viciously oppressing Israel at the time, he asked for more miracles. For confirmation that God would grant Israel victory, Gideon requested that the Lord supernaturally dampen a sheep's wooly fleece while keeping the threshing floor it sat on completely dry. God did so. But Gideon, just to be sure, asked that the reverse occur, and God made the fleece completely dry while the threshing floor was covered with sopping dew.

Should we then carry an extra sheep's fleece around when we need to ask for God's help? No, but we should certainly ask God in prayer for His guidance when in doubt about which direction we should take in a situation.

Resolution by revolution

George Washington was not directly and overtly commissioned by God in the way that Gideon's was. But through circumstances and the shaping of his character, he came to recognize his call to duty. Like Gideon, this duty involved military leadership. First the British Governor Dinwiddie assigned him a mission as a British officer. He was in fact in charge of the unit that fired the first shots in the Seven Years' War between the British and the French and their respective Native American allies (1754-1758). He served well, but not with endless victories.

Washington was familiar with the ache of defeat, yet it didn't crush him—which was important for him to learn for the future. During the Revolutionary War, the American Continental Army, which he commanded, was victorious in the long run, but not consistently in the short run.

Washington's forces in the Revolutionary War were outnumbered by a professional army with professional mercenaries. Even the smallest victory was significant. And though the odds seemed against him, General Washington persevered and, with the help of France, won the day—freeing America from the control of Great Britain.

A mighty few

Similarly, Gideon's forces were greatly outnumbered. God in fact pared down his army twice before sending him to attack the Midianites. With 300 men left out of 32,000, Gideon chose his tactics carefully (Judges 7). The small force took advantage of the enemy's valley encampment and the way sound echoed. The impact of torches, trumpets and shouting reverberated across the hills, giving the impression of a much larger force. When the fighting began, Gideon's 300, with God's help, led the way for Israel's victory.

From George Washington's case it's clear that winning a war sometimes means losing a few battles. Defeat should not be viewed as failure, but as a stepping-stone to ultimate victory. This requires learning from our losses. Why did we lose? How can we avoid such setbacks in the future? Did God allow this experience for a greater lesson?

From Gideon's experience we can see that while God sometimes uses a mighty army for His purposes, at other times He chooses a few brave individuals prepared to do a great work. Our challenge is to be ready and brave.

King or leader?

After Gideon's victory the Israelites offered him kingship over Israel, which he publicly rejected. Yet even as he rejected that offer, he commissioned the making of a large golden ephod (a ceremonial garment worn by the priesthood), which the Israelites then venerated as an idol (Judges 8:22-27).

George Washington was also offered a king-like dictatorship over America. One impetuous soldier even put this idea in a letter, to which Washington responded with absolute rejection. However, the political machinations of the time severely delayed crucial wages for the army, so other officers promoted the idea. General Washington again adamantly denounced the American king idea. He believed there could be no greater ill to befall America than to install a king-dictator following the Revolution.

Elected as the first president of the United States, Washington's leadership precedent established a successful turnover of leaders every four to eight years (with only one exceeding this) for the past 44 presidencies. America has political battles, but she has not undergone a physical war to install each new administration. Not every nation has been so blessed.

Ambition isn't evil if properly directed. It provides motivation for people to achieve great things. But unrestrained ambition leads to self-glorifying dictatorship, which in turn fosters extremes of war or even genocide. Leadership is ultimately under God's control (Psalm 75:6-7). So when it comes our way, we should serve dutifully. But when it passes from us, we should seek to serve in other ways.

The heritage of faithful men

Our mental trip back in time has revealed some interesting lessons. Gideon and George Washington provide examples of grace in defeat, faith in God's ability to deliver by many or by few, and wise reluctance toward leadership.

George Washington served his country in one capacity or another for much of his adult life. He managed his farms, loved his family and wished for the day when his country would reject the practice of slavery. Widely regarded as the father of the United States, his wisely reluctant leadership saved America from a heritage of dictatorship.

Gideon's faith in God prompted his commendation in the "faith chapter" of the Bible as one of the Old Testament heroes who through faith "became valiant in battle" (Hebrews 11:32). Under his judgeship, Israel was blessed with peace.

We today can also be people of valor—through faith and wisdom. So whatever it may be that God requires of us, let us all answer the call of duty.