Gideon was an important judge or deliverer of Israel. He was the son of Joash, of the clan of Abiezer and the tribe of Manasseh. Of the twelve judges of Israel, more verses are devoted to Gideon than any other. The narrative in which he is the central character takes place in the twelfth century B.C.
Following seven years of cruel oppression by the Midianites, Israel cried out to the Lord for relief (Judges 6:6). An unknown prophet informs the Israelites that their miserable conditions come from their forgetting to give exclusive devotion to the one true God. God sends his angel to Gideon. A touch of humor earmarks the angel’s greeting. The “mighty warrior” (6:12) is threshing wheat secretly for fear of the Midianites. Yet God addresses Gideon in realization of what God’s mighty power is able to accomplish in him (6:14-16, 34). Gideon was conscious of his own weakness and the difficult task before him. He was an ideal example of how God works deliverance (compare 1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 12:10).
Gideon’s first task was to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it (see Isaiah 42:8). Knowing that the people would resist such an act, Gideon and his servants destroy these images of debased Canaanite religion at night. The following day the men of Ophrah confront Gideon and sought his life in retaliation for the act. Joash pleaded the cause of his son, inviting Baal, if he indeed is deity, to contend for himself. Out of this confrontation the name Jerubbaal (“let Baal contend”) is ascribed to Gideon (Judges 6:32).
Yet Gideon was a man of inconsistent faith. His desire for further assurance was not rebuked. Instead, God graciously honored his requests concerning the dew and the fleece (6:36-40). Later, Gideon was informed that mere numbers would not assure victory. There must be no doubt as to the true source of Israel’s liberation (7:2). From thirty-two thousand, Gideon’s troops were trimmed down to only three hundred by an unusual method of reduction (7:3-7). A secret mission to the outskirts of the oppositions’ camp enabled Gideon to receive further strengthening. He and his servant Purah overheard a Midianite soldier reveal his dream, which indicated Israel’s upcoming victory (7:13-14). In response to this additional encouragement, he worshiped the Lord (7:15; compare6:24).
Divided into three companies, Gideon’s army stationed itself at night outside the Midianite stronghold. At Gideon’s signal each man blew a trumpet (made from an animal’s horn) and smashed an empty jar containing a torch, shouting, “A sword for the L ORD and for Gideon!” (Judges 7:20). The effect of the noise was overwhelming. Thinking themselves outnumbered, the confused and disheartened Midianites fled eastward across the Jordan. In hot pursuit, Gideon’s men were joined by Israelites from Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh. The men of Ephraim, whose efforts were called upon for the first time, captured and killed two of the Midianite leaders. The Ephraimites had been angry with Gideon for failing to enlist their services earlier. But they were satisfied by Gideon’s tactful response to their questions (8:1-3).
Gideon’s unselfishness shone as he declined the people’s desire to make him king (Judges 8:22-23). He did, however, receive a huge personal fortune from the spoils of war (8:24-26). The unfortunate conclusion of Gideon’s story relates to his making an ephod (or garment) from the gold won in battle. Perhaps this garment was patterned after that of the high priest. Perhaps it was a free-standing image. In either case, the object ensnared the people, and they worshiped it at Ophrah (8:27). In 2 Samuel 11:21 Gideon’s alternate name, Jerubbaal, becomes Jerubbesheth. “Baal” is replaced with the Hebrew word for “shame” (besheth).
Gideon was singled out in the book of Hebrews as a hero of the faith whose trust in God brought glory to the Lord (Hebrews 11:32). As far back as the time of Isaiah, “the day of Midian” had meant deliverance accomplished by the hand of God apart from human strength (Isaiah 9:4).
Who?
Gideon was a member of the tribe of Manasseh and the clan of Abiezer.
What?
Gideon was called by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppressive rule of the Midianites.
When?
Gideon delivered Israel about 1162 B.C.
Where?
After Gideon’s incredible victory, the confused and frightened Midian army fled across the Jordan River, with the armies of Israel in hot pursuit.
Why?
God used Gideon’s small army to accomplish a great feat not just to free Israel from the Midianites but also to bring glory to himself.
How?
God used a fleece to give Gideon two signs of his sure victory. One morning the fleece was soaking wet with dew even though the ground all around it was dry. The next morning the fleece was dry even though the ground all around it was wet with dew.
Deliverance
Oppression
Forgiveness