Someone asked where we got the name Gideon Marcus from. Here is the story of his name.
While I was in the hospital we still weren't sure what name we were going to use for our little baby. We debated many wonderful names that all had meaning to us, but none of them really felt like the right one. The name Gideon was one of the names we talked about and we kept coming back to it. Finally we decided that we felt like Gideon Marcus was the right name and felt comfortable with it. When we met him for the first time our choice was reaffirmed- he was defiantly a Gideon!
Gideon is NOT named after a TV character on some popular show (I don't even remember what show- not one I've ever seen) but people keep asking if that is where we got his name. Gideon is named after two great men of God- one from the Book of Mormon and the other from the Bible. Both men were fighters for righteousness and we felt like Gideon was a fighter even before he was born. Both men were human and made mistakes, but both of them served the Lord with all their hearts and fought against evil and and were strong leaders. Both Gideons saved their people and were men of God. We felt like both of these great men would be wonderful examples for our son to look to and emulate as he lives his life. Here are links to the stories of Gideon in the scriptures. I've also included a few highlights, but if you've never read the full story of either of these men I suggest you do so- they are both very interesting and inspiring!
BIBLE- Judges 6: 11-40, 7-8 an angel said "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." Gideon asks where are the miracles of God are now. Even though he was the least of his Father's house, and they were poor, the Lord sent him to deliver the Isrealites from the Midianites. The Lord says unto Gideon "Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die." The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him and teaches him what to do. He casts down Baal's alter at night and the people want to kill him. He had to let his army leave to show the strength of the Lord. His army went from 32,000 down to 300 to defeat the Midianites and Amalekites who were "like grasshoppers for multitude". He took his three hundred and tricked them in the middle of the night by blowing trumpets, breaking pitchers, and holding up lights. The Midianites fled and he chased and smote them. The Isrealites wanted to make him king, but he said, "I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the Lord shall rule over you." He had a large family and died at a good old age.
BOOK OF MORMON- Mosiah 19: 4-8 Gideon was a strong man who fought with the evil King Noah and almost slays him, then has mercy on him at the last moment to help defend his people from the attacking Lamanites. Mosiah 20:17-22 Gideon was a captain to the King and advised him to let his people be put in bondage rather than all be killed- since it was a punishment of the Lord for unrighteousness. Mosiah 22: 3-9 Gideon is an instrument in the hands of the Lord in delivering his people out of bondage. Alma 1: 7-13 Gideon is a teacher in the church of God and contends with an anti-Christ (Nehor) and preaches the word of God. He withstands Nehor with the words of God and Nehor becomes angry and attacks Gideon with his sword. Gideon was old and ended up dying defending the church of God. It is said of Gideon that he was "a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among (the) people".
Marcus is after two of Gideon's uncles who are both named Mark. They are both men who are exemplary people and who we would be pleased if Gideon emulated. My brother Mark and Jeff's brother Mark are two people who we both look up to and admire for their faith in God, their optimism in life, their sense of responsibility to their wife and children, their service, and their kind and happy personalities. Gideon will do very well in life if he was like either, and hopefully both, of his uncle Marks.
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