Judges 6:23-30, God Glorified in Gideon’s Weakness

Judges 6-8 record the story of Gideon, and Ch. 9 records the story of two of Gideon’s sons, Abimelech and Jotham.  You are likely familiar with Jud. 7 and the reduction of the army of Israel, from 32,000 down to 300.  It’s a great story of faith and grace.  But Judges 6, 8 and 9 are part of the whole story of Gideon and give us a look into the sometimes “complicated” view of life in the times of the Judges.  People are seldom “predominantly” righteous or courageous or some other great quality.  We will take a brief look at Ch. 6; the other chapters we recommend you read and you will see what we are saying. 

·       6:1-10: The story begins with Israel in the throes of the “discipline of God” stage of the cycle of apostacy (6:1-7).  The Midianites and Amalekites and “people of the East” are making life miserable.  Finally, the people cry out to the LORD.  God’s answer is first one of reproof.  You have not obeyed my voice. 

·       6:11-24: Nevertheless, God in His mercy determines to work with Gideon.  Except that Gideon needs to be trained by the LORD.  Consider a few matters concerning this conversation between the Angel of the LORD and Gideon.

o   6:11: Note the difference between the Angel of the LORD, whom we believe to be the second member of the Trinity, the Son of God, who is in the form of a man, and the Incarnation when the Son of God takes on the form of Man.  Gideon didn’t realize who he was speaking with at first.  When he did realize it was the Angel of the LORD he then was fearful, knowing he had been speaking with God (v22).  At that point he gave God the name YHWH-Shalom, the LORD is Peace (v24). 

o   6:13: Gideon at first blames God for the sad situation.

o   6:15: Gideon is from East Manasseh.  Modern day Ophrah is on Hwy. 60, north of Jerusalem but south of Bethel and Shiloh. 

o   6:17: Gideon asks for a sign that it is You who talk with me.  The Angel of the LORD speaks as if He is God (which He is) but doesn’t look like God.  Thus Gideon wants to know for sure this is God.

·       6:25-32: Gideon’s fear now comes to the forefront.  He obeys the LORD by destroying the altar of Baal, but only at nighttime lest the people of the community take exception.  And note that it is not Gideon but his father who answers the people who are critical of Gideon.  Gideon’s name “Jerrubbaal” means let Baal contend (in 2 Sam. 11:21 he is called “Jerubbesheth” which means “with whom the idol contends”).

·       6:33-40: Gideon knows the blessing of the Spirit of the LORD coming upon him as the Midianites and others gather in the Valley of Jezreel to make war.  That’s the same valley where Deborah and Barak faced off against the Canaanites.  Gideon recruits from Manasseh as well as Asher, Zebulun and Naphtali.  Notice the absence of Ephraim.  It’s not until the battle has turned against the Midianites that Gideon issues a call throughout the mountains of Ephraim.  The Ephraimites heed that call, but then complain later about being left out from the start (8:1-3).

o   Gideon’s fear (uncertainty) is still a problem as he asks the LORD for additional signs involving the fleece (6:36-40).  God not only accommodates Gideon; He also gives an unsolicited sign to Gideon after his army has been reduced to 300 (7:9-15).

Again, this is a great story, not because it shows us a perfect man, but because it shows us our great and gracious God.  Judges certainly has a strong emphasis on the great imperfections of Israel.  We would do well to remember Paul’s testimony, that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  What God looks for is faith; and where that is in short supply, He can encourage us in that as well.

Harod Spring/The Well of Harod, where Gideon's army was reduced to 300.

From Megiddo, looking east across the Valley of Jezreel.  The Hill Moreh is on the left, the Mountains of Gilboa on the right.  Harod Spring is at the base of Gilboa.