Gideon is no hero but a man who was afraid, and also had a real fear of man. But this text is persuading us that no matter how weak, limited and sinful we are, we have no ability to overcome God’s grace. God’s grace extends even to those who are weak.
(A) What does sin do to us? (Judges 6:1-13)
Up to this point in Judges, Israel has had a series of judges:
Othniel, who faced Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia, but he died (Jdg 3:11)
Ehud, who faced Eglhon king of Moab, and was described as a left-handed man (Jdg 3:15) and used deception
Shamgar, who faced the Philistines with an oxgoad (Jdg 3:31)
Deborah and Barak, who faced Jabin king of Canaan and we read of how Barak needed help (Jdg 4:8)
Each judge shows some kind of deficiency. The reader is trained to look for a saviour on every page but each one has a lack. We are looking for a saviour who can defeat death, not rely on deception, unsurprising, does not need help and from this account of Gideon, one who does not fear.
This account of Gideon will show us how he had to face the Midianites, Amalekites, people of the East and he was fearful (Jdg 6:23).
As the chapter opens, we read of how the LORD gave Israel to the hands of the Midianites for seven years (Jdg 6:1). However, it was not the duration that mattered, but the state of life in the seven years that was the issue. The Midianites were raiders who were nomadic (Jdg 6:5). The people of God were stuck in a depressing and hopeless situation. Life seemed to be futile and they lived life with a heightened sense of alertness (Jdg 6:3-4). The people also fled to the mountains where they had built dens and caves for themselves (Jdg 6:2). This is also the first time in a while that we have such detail about the state of life of the people of Israel.
This is similar to what Jesus had said about coming judgement (c.f. Matt 24:15-21). He describes it as the people of Jerusalem fleeing to the hills and speaks of the end of all things in chaos. This is similar to the situation in Judges 6. The people found themselves in such a situation not because of poor planning, but because God had withdrawn His presence and protection. Life without God is life with His favour, protection and peace. Friends, one of the worst things that could happen to us is for God to give us what we want in our sin.
Therefore, Israel was brought very low because of Midian and the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord (Jdg 6:6).
How does God respond? He sends an unnamed prophet to the people of Israel (Jdg 6:8). This prophet brings a word from the LORD. Sometimes, God bringing a word to us in an unnamed, unexpected way, is precisely God’s intervention plan. Sometimes, more importance from the deliverance of our circumstances is the deliverance from spiritual ignorance.
Notice how the prophet says nothing about how they can fix their circumstances but makes three statements abut the history of Israel. The prophet calls to mind how God led them from Egypt, delivered from the hand of the Egyptians, commanded them to not fear the gods of the Amorites and finally, how they have disobeyed God’s voice (Jdg 6:8-10). The prophet reminded them of what God done for them and also called them out presently. The God who saves also takes offence when we ignore His word.
Is this you today? Have you obeyed the voice of God through His word? Have you resolved to walk in obedience and faith? Have we obeyed God’s voice?
After the prophet’s indictment, the narrative switches to introduce to us Gideon. The angel of the LORD came to Gideon who was in the winepress beating out wheat (Jdg 6:11). He was trying to hide it from the marauding Midianites. This is the “mighty man of valor” that the angel of the LORD approaches (Jdg 6:12), ironically.
What can we learn about Gideon’s state of mind from his exchange with the angel? Gideon is afraid and knows that Israel is suffering because of their sins. This picture of the man of God terrified in the winepress is also a picture of what sin does to us. Sin makes us afraid and makes us think that everything we need in life must be won and protected by us. Do you go to work worried that you will mess up today, or that people will discover that you are not good at your work? Do you see yourself as someone who is waiting to fail today? Sin makes us believe that God is out to get us. When we live in sin and rebellion against God in deep and personal ways, all assurance and peace with God goes out the window.
Is this you today? Hear the words of the prophet in Judges 6:8-10. These are not words of condemnation but a clear diagnosis of our need that makes us candidates of grace.
(B) Why is salvation so unbelievable? (jdg 6:14-27)
The angel of the LORD had called out to Gideon with a mention of the Lord’s presence with him (Jdg 6:12). Gideon replies with a question: “if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Jdg 6:13a). This is a question many of us may have asked God. Gideon goes on to ask, “where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us” (Jdg 6:13b). Here, he is not referring to a generic blessing but calls to mind the exodus. The account of this departure from Egypt was handed down from generation to generation.
Now, note that these difficult questions and feelings are recorded in the Bible. Life in a fallen world even as the people in the Promised Land will give rise to questions about God’s goodness. Psalm 44:1-3 is similar to Gideon’s feelings here, and Psalm 44:3 tells us that God allows these things to happen to Israel because He does not delight in Israel.
God sends Gideon to save Israel (Jdg 6:14). Gideon replies God with a list of his weakness, an exchange reminiscence of Moses’ in Exodus 3. Gideon points to how his clan is the weakest in Manasseh and he is the least in his father’s house (Jdg 6:15) — who is going to listen to him? Yet, God repeats how God will be with him and he will strike the Midianites as one man (Jdg 6:16).
What can we say about Gideon’s disbelief? His disbelief blinds him to what God is trying to show him now. He is focused on all the reasons that he is not the guy to do God’s work and implicitly, he is saying God must be wrong. He is looking for all the reasons that God can’t be right and must have made a mistake. By focusing on his limitations, he is also saying that God’s character is not trustworthy, His wisdom, deficient and His plan, unwise. Each time Gideon says something about his limitation, God calls him to turn his eyes to fix it on Him.
Why is salvation so unbelievable? Our weakness is the result of being strong in ourselves. We are weak like Gideon because we are trying to stand in our own strength. We will find it hard for the Lord to save us the more we try to find ways to be worthy to be saved.
Gideon also asks for a sign (Jdg 6:17). He also requests that the angel of the LORD not depart until he brings his present (Jdg 6:18). He prepares a meal in the style of ancient Jewish hospitality (Jdg 6:19, c.f. Gen 18:3-5). The angel asked him to lay the meat and unleavened cakes on the rock and pour the broth all over both items (Jdg 6:20). The angel of the LORD touched the items with the tip of his staff and fire sprang up from the rock (Jdg 6:21). This is similar to what happens in 1 Kings 18:28.
God demonstrates His grace in a physical way and confirms that the person Gideon has been talking to is not a mere man but an angel of the Lord. This is a picture of sanctification. God takes this act of hospitality, receives it, consumes it and reveals His power in a miraculous act. This confirms for Gideon that it is indeed the Lord who is speaking. God shows tremendous grace to Gideon by showing him this sign that he asks for.
The angel of God vanished (Jdg 6:21). Gideon perceived that that was the angel of the LORD and he cries out (Jdg 6:22). God responds with words of comfort (Jdg 6:23). Gideon is scared of everything — the Midianites, to be used by God, the angel of the Lord, the Lord Himself. He hears God’s word and recognises that the LORD is peace — for he named the altar in such a way (Jdg 6:24).
Friends, do you see your weakness and how the LORD is peace?
That night, the LORD came to him and told hi to tear down his father’s Baal and cut down the Asherah that is beside it (Jdg 6:25). Gideon knew the consequences of the actions and was afraid of his family for he did not dare to do so in the day but only did it by night (Jdg 6:27).
God also told him to build and altar to the LORD on the top of the stronghold and take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah (Jdg 6:26). Idols have to come down and be destroyed, even in one who is weak and afraid. Gideon too, has to make a choice to serve and worship God wholeheartedly.
(C) What does God do for His people? (Jdg 6:28-40)
The men of the town eventually found out that Gideon had done it (Jdg 6:29). The men of the town went to Joash and told him to bring out Gideon to atone for his actions (Jdg 6:30). Joash seemed to respond boldly, perhaps inspired by his son’s courage. He replied to the men that they should let Baal contend for himself if he is a god (Jdg 6:31). Therefore, on that day, Gideon was called Jerubbaal (Jdg 6:32).
The Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon and empowered him to face the coming Midianites, Amalekites and the people of the East (Jdg 6:33-34a). He sounded the trumpet and leads the Abiezrites (Jdg 6:34b). He also sends messengers throughout all Manasseh, Zebulun and Naphtali, and he leads a group to meet the coming army (Jdg 6:35). The battle narrative pauses here and picks up in Judges 7.
Judges 6:36-40 records for us how Gideon tests God. We see his fear, and we are not to read these verses as an example for us to emulate. He is putting God to the test and he is a fearful man. The hero of the text is clearly God, who is long-suffering and patient. He bears all of our weaknesses, frailty, disbelief, doubt in His character and goodness.
He is faithful to bring people together, even using this weak man! This God is gentle and kind to strengthen this weak and fearful man, showering him with grace.
How has God put up with our fleece prayers? How has He been gracious to you when you do not deserve Him?
Our Lord Jesus was the opposite of Gideon. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:16 and recognises that God is not to be put to the test. Jesus is greater than Gideon, who never put God to the test and trusted God all the way, even to the cross. Because of Jesus, us fearful, anxious sinners, can now know peace with the God who is long-suffering and patient.