Judges 6 reveals Gideon's call and God's power made perfect in weakness. Learn how God works through the weak and humble to deliver His people.
The sixth chapter of Judges introduces one of the most memorable figures in the Old Testament. Gideon, a young man from the tribe of Manasseh, was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel's greeting was remarkable: "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12). Gideon's response revealed his doubt and fear. He questioned why the Lord had abandoned His people and expressed his own inadequacy for the task ahead.
The oppression of the Midianites was severe. For seven years, the Midianites, Amalekites, and children of the east had invaded the land, destroying crops and leaving Israel impoverished. The people cried out to the Lord, and He responded by raising up Gideon. However, Gideon's calling was not based on his strength but on his weakness. He was the least in his family, and his family was the weakest in Manasseh. Yet God chose him to deliver Israel.
Gideon's call and God's power made perfect in weakness recorded in Judges 6 reveal that God works through human weakness to accomplish His purposes. The Lord does not choose the strong and capable but the weak and humble. Gideon's doubts and fears did not disqualify him; they provided the context for God's power to be displayed. This pattern of divine empowerment through human weakness continues throughout Scripture, pointing forward to the ultimate demonstration of God's power in the weakness of the cross.
The Oppression of Midian
The Severity of the Oppression
The cycle of disobedience continues in Judges chapter 6. After the death of Gideon, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord (Judges 6:1). The consequence was severe. The Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years. The oppression was devastating, reducing Israel to a state of extreme poverty and fear.
The text describes the oppression: "And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strong holds" (Judges 6:2). The people were forced to hide in caves and dens to escape their oppressors. The enemy had complete control over the land.
The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and the children of the east, would invade the land at harvest time. They would destroy the crops, kill the livestock, and take everything of value. The text states that Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the people cried out to the Lord for help.
The Cause of the Oppression
The oppression was a direct consequence of Israel's disobedience. The text states that the people did evil in the sight of the Lord (Judges 6:1). This evil likely included idolatry, the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. The people had turned away from the Lord, and He allowed the Midianites to oppress them.
The prophet sent by the Lord reminded the people of their disobedience: "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land" (Judges 6:8-9). The Lord had delivered His people from Egypt and given them the land, but they had not obeyed His voice.
The prophet's message was a call to repentance. The Lord had been faithful to His covenant promises, but the people had been unfaithful. The oppression was a wake-up call, driving the people to recognize their sin and turn back to God.
The Call of Gideon
The Angel's Appearance
The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress. The winepress was typically a pit or trough used for pressing grapes. Threshing wheat in a winepress was unusual and impractical, but Gideon was hiding from the Midianites. The winepress provided concealment, allowing Gideon to work in secret.
The angel's greeting was unexpected: "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12). Gideon was hiding in fear, yet the angel called him a mighty man of valor. This greeting was prophetic, declaring what Gideon would become through God's power. The angel saw not Gideon's present circumstances but his future potential.
Gideon's response revealed his doubt: "Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites" (Judges 6:13). Gideon's question was honest and heartfelt. He was struggling with the problem of suffering and the apparent absence of God's power.
The Lord's Command
The Lord responded directly to Gideon: "Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" (Judges 6:14). The command was clear, and the promise was certain. Gideon was to go in his might, but his might was not his own strength. His might came from the Lord's presence and empowerment.
Gideon's response revealed his humility and self-doubt: "O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15). Gideon considered himself inadequate for the task. He was from the weakest family in the weakest tribe. His background seemed to disqualify him for leadership.
The Lord's response was decisive: "Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:16). The promise of God's presence was the key to Gideon's success. His weakness was not a barrier but an opportunity for God's power to be displayed. The Lord would be with him, and the victory would be certain.
Gideon's Requests for Confirmation
The First Sign
Gideon asked for a sign to confirm that the Lord was truly speaking to him: "If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me" (Judges 6:17). Gideon's request was not a lack of faith but a desire for assurance. He wanted to be certain that the Lord was with him.
Gideon prepared a meal for the angel, a kid and unleavened cakes. The angel instructed Gideon to place the meat and cakes on a rock and pour out the broth. When Gideon obeyed, the angel touched the food with his staff, and fire rose up from the rock and consumed the offering. The angel then departed.
Gideon's response was fear: "And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face" (Judges 6:22). Gideon feared for his life, knowing that seeing the Lord's angel was a serious matter. The Lord reassured him, saying, "Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die" (Judges 6:23).
The Second Sign
Gideon's second request for confirmation involved a fleece of wool. He asked the Lord to make the fleece wet with dew while the ground around it remained dry. The Lord did as Gideon asked, and the fleece was wet while the ground was dry. Gideon then asked for a second sign, that the fleece would remain dry while the ground was wet with dew. The Lord again granted Gideon's request.
Gideon's requests for signs have been the subject of much discussion. Some see them as evidence of weak faith, while others view them as acts of faith seeking assurance. Gideon's desire for confirmation was rooted in his awareness of his own weakness and his need for divine guidance. The Lord graciously provided the signs Gideon requested.
The signs confirmed that the Lord was with Gideon and would give him the victory. The fleece and dew demonstrated God's control over nature and His willingness to accommodate Gideon's doubts. The Lord did not rebuke Gideon for his requests but graciously granted them.
The Destruction of Baal's Altar
The Lord's Command
The Lord gave Gideon a specific command: "Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down" (Judges 6:25-26).
This command was bold and dangerous. Gideon was to destroy his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. These were objects of idolatry that had been allowed to stand in Israel. Gideon was to replace them with an altar to the Lord and offer a sacrifice.
The command also had a practical purpose. By destroying the altar of Baal, Gideon would be taking a public stand against idolatry. His actions would declare his allegiance to the Lord and challenge the people to repent of their idolatry.
Gideon's Obedience
Gideon obeyed the Lord's command but did so at night: "Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night" (Judges 6:27). Gideon's fear was understandable. The people of the city would likely have opposed the destruction of the altar and the grove.
The next morning, the people saw what had happened and demanded to know who was responsible. When they discovered that Gideon had done it, they demanded his death. Gideon's father, Joash, defended his son, saying, "If he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar" (Judges 6:31).
Joash's defense was a turning point. By refusing to hand Gideon over, Joash was implicitly rejecting Baal. The people's demand for Gideon's death was met with the response that Baal should defend himself if he was a true god. Since Baal could not defend himself, the people's loyalty to him was shown to be misplaced.
The Call to Battle
The Spirit of the Lord
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, calling the people to assemble. The tribes of Abiezer, Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali responded to his call (Judges 6:34-35). Gideon's leadership was now established, and the people were willing to follow him.
The Spirit of the Lord was the source of Gideon's courage and authority. Gideon had been fearful and hesitant, but the Spirit empowered him to take bold action. The same Spirit that had been upon Othniel, Ehud, and Deborah was now upon Gideon.
Gideon's calling was confirmed by the signs of the fleece and the destruction of Baal's altar. The people recognized that the Lord was with Gideon and were willing to follow him into battle. The stage was set for the confrontation with the Midianites.
The Gathering of the Armies
The Midianites, Amalekites, and children of the east gathered together, crossed the Jordan, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel (Judges 6:33). The enemy forces were numerous, and the threat was immediate. The Israelites assembled at the spring of Harod, ready to face their oppressors.
Gideon faced a daunting challenge. His army was significantly smaller than the enemy's forces, and the people were unarmed and fearful. Yet Gideon had received the promise of God's presence and victory. The odds were overwhelming, but the Lord was with His people.
The chapter ends with Gideon's army assembled and the enemy camped nearby. The stage was set for the battle, but the Lord had a plan that would demonstrate His power and reduce Gideon's army to a handful of men. The victory would be clearly the work of the Lord, not human strength.
The Lessons of Judges 6
The Power of God in Weakness
Gideon's story demonstrates the power of God made perfect in weakness. Gideon was not a strong leader but a fearful farmer hiding from his enemies. Yet God called him a mighty man of valor and used him to deliver Israel. Gideon's weakness was the context for God's power to be displayed.
The apostle Paul later wrote about this principle: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Gideon's experience illustrates this truth. When he was weak, God's strength was evident. The victory over the Midianites was not Gideon's achievement but God's.
The principle of divine empowerment through human weakness is a recurring theme in Scripture. Moses was slow of speech, yet God used him to lead Israel out of Egypt. David was a young shepherd, yet God used him to defeat Goliath. The disciples were ordinary men, yet God used them to turn the world upside down. God delights in using the weak to confound the strong.
The Importance of Obedience
Gideon's obedience, despite his fear, is a key lesson in this chapter. He destroyed Baal's altar, cut down the grove, and built an altar to the Lord. His obedience was not perfect but was sufficient. He did what the Lord commanded, even though he was afraid.
Obedience is essential for experiencing God's power. Gideon could not have delivered Israel if he had refused to obey the Lord's commands. His willingness to act on God's word, despite his doubts and fears, opened the door for divine intervention.
The New Testament emphasizes the importance of obedience: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is the evidence of love for God and the condition for experiencing His blessings. Gideon's example encourages believers to obey God even when they are afraid.
The Patience of God
The story of Gideon reveals the patience of God. Gideon asked for multiple signs, and the Lord graciously granted them. The Lord did not rebuke Gideon for his doubts but accommodated his requests. This patience demonstrates the Lord's compassion for His people.
God's patience is a recurring theme in Scripture. He is slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. He does not treat His people as their sins deserve but deals with them with compassion and understanding. Gideon's experience is a reminder that God is patient with our doubts and fears.
The patience of God should lead to trust and obedience. Gideon's requests for signs were temporary, and he eventually trusted the Lord's promise. The same God who was patient with Gideon is patient with believers today, encouraging us to trust Him despite our weaknesses.
Conclusion
Judges chapter 6 presents the story of Gideon, a man called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of Midian. Gideon was fearful and hesitant, yet God called him a mighty man of valor and promised to be with him. Gideon's requests for confirmation were graciously granted, and he obeyed the Lord's commands, destroying Baal's altar and preparing for battle. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, empowering him for the task ahead.
Gideon's call and God's power made perfect in weakness recorded in Judges 6 demonstrate that God works through human weakness to accomplish His purposes. The Lord does not choose the strong and capable but the weak and humble. Gideon's doubts and fears did not disqualify him; they provided the context for God's power to be displayed. This pattern of divine empowerment through human weakness continues throughout Scripture, pointing forward to the ultimate demonstration of God's power in the weakness of the cross.
The story of Gideon encourages believers to trust in God's power, not their own strength. When we are weak, He is strong. Our inadequacies are opportunities for God to demonstrate His sufficiency. The same God who was with Gideon is with His people today, empowering them to face overwhelming odds and experience victory. By faith and obedience, we can participate in God's work and see His power made perfect in our weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did Gideon ask for signs from the Lord?
Gideon asked for signs from the Lord because he wanted confirmation of his calling. He was from the weakest family in Manasseh and felt inadequate for the task of delivering Israel. The signs, including the fire consuming the offering and the fleece of wool, provided assurance that the Lord was with him and would give him the victory. Gideon's requests were not a lack of faith but a desire for certainty. The Lord graciously granted these signs, demonstrating His patience and compassion for Gideon's doubts and fears.
2. What was the significance of Gideon destroying Baal's altar?
Gideon destroying Baal's altar was a significant act of obedience and a public declaration against idolatry. The altar belonged to his father and was used for the worship of Baal, a false god. By tearing down the altar and cutting down the Asherah pole, Gideon was taking a stand for the Lord and challenging the people to repent. His actions also demonstrated that Baal was powerless to defend himself. When the people demanded Gideon's death, his father Joash defended him, saying that Baal should plead for himself if he was truly a god.
3. How did the Spirit of the Lord empower Gideon?
The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, empowering him for the task of delivering Israel. Before the Spirit's empowerment, Gideon was fearful and hesitant. He had asked for signs and had been reluctant to act. However, when the Spirit came upon him, he sounded the trumpet, gathered the people, and prepared for battle. The Spirit provided courage, authority, and strength that Gideon did not possess naturally. This divine empowerment was essential for the victory over the Midianites and demonstrated that the battle belonged to the Lord.
4. What does Gideon's story teach about God using weak people?
Gideon's story teaches that God often chooses weak and humble people to accomplish His purposes. Gideon was the least in his family, and his family was the weakest in Manasseh. Yet God called him a mighty man of valor and used him to deliver Israel. The principle is that God's power is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak, His strength is evident. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture, from Moses to David to the apostles. God does not choose the strong and capable but the weak and humble who will rely on His power.
5. What can believers learn from Gideon's example?
Believers can learn several important lessons from Gideon's example. First, God works through human weakness to accomplish His purposes, so we should not be discouraged by our inadequacies. Second, obedience is essential for experiencing God's power, even when we are afraid. Third, God is patient with our doubts and fears, graciously providing assurance when we need it. Fourth, the Spirit of the Lord empowers believers for the tasks God calls them to. Fifth, faith grows through testing and obedience. Gideon's story encourages believers to trust in God's power, obey His commands, and participate in His work despite their weaknesses.
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