Judges Chapter 6 marks the beginning of the story of Gideon, one of Israel’s most notable judges. In this chapter, the Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. However, God chooses Gideon, an unlikely hero, to deliver His people from their enemies. This chapter is a narrative of faith, doubt, and divine intervention.
Israel’s oppression by the Midianites.
The chapter opens with a description of Israel’s plight under the Midianite oppression. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel during harvest time, ravaging the land and leaving the Israelites impoverished and fearful. This cycle of oppression is a direct result of Israel’s disobedience and idolatry, as they have turned away from God.
In response to their cries for help, God sends a prophet to remind them of their deliverance from Egypt and their covenant with Him, which they have broken by worshiping other gods.
Gideon’s call by the angel of the Lord.
Gideon is introduced as a hesitant and unlikely hero, found threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel of the Lord appears to him, addressing him as a “mighty warrior” and declaring that the Lord is with him. Gideon expresses doubt and frustration, questioning why God has allowed such suffering if He is truly with Israel.
Despite Gideon’s doubts, the Angel of the Lord assures him that he is chosen to save Israel. Gideon asks for a sign to confirm this divine calling, and in response, the Angel causes fire to consume an offering that Gideon presents, demonstrating God’s power and presence.
Gideon’s first acts of obedience.
Gideon’s first task is to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, a direct challenge to the idolatry that has led Israel astray. Gideon obeys, but he does so at night out of fear of his family and the townspeople. When the townspeople discover the act, they demand Gideon’s death, but his father, Joash, defends him, arguing that if Baal is a god, he can defend himself.
The gathering of the army.
As the chapter progresses, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Gideon, and he gathers an army from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to fight the Midianites. However, Gideon still seeks assurance from God, asking for signs through a fleece—first for it to be wet with dew while the ground remains dry, and then for the fleece to be dry while the ground is wet. God graciously grants both signs, affirming Gideon’s calling and bolstering his faith.
Theological insights.
Judges Chapter 6 offers insights into God’s patience and faithfulness, even when His people doubt or struggle with fear. Gideon’s story is a reminder that God often uses the least likely individuals to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating that strength and victory come from God alone, not from human ability.
The lasting impact of Judges chapter 6.
Gideon’s call and initial acts of obedience set the stage for one of the most dramatic deliverances in Israel’s history. His journey from doubt to faith exemplifies the transformative power of God’s presence and the importance of trusting in His promises, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
