Who is Gideon in the Bible and what can we learn from him? First, we’ll examine what is written (Judges 6-8), then we’ll investigate the depth beyond the surface, and then we’ll formulate a final analysis from our discoveries.
[6:1] Midian was the son of Abraham and Keturah (Gen 25:1-2). Prior to his death, Abraham left all to Isaac and sent Midian to the land of the East (Gen 25:5-6). Midianites were largely antagonistic (Num 22-25). Moses was commanded to war against them for revenge (Num 31). Though victories against them were celebrated elsewhere (Ps 83:9; Isa 9:4; 10:26; Hab 3:7), here GOD used the Midianites as judgment against Israel because “Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.”
[6:3] Amalekites descended from Esau, thus related to the Edomites (Gen 36:12,16). Historical relations between Israel and the Amalekites was that of perpetual hostility (Ex 17:8-16; Deut 25:17-19; 1Sam 15:1-9; 27:8; 30:16-20; Esther 3:1).
[6:6] Seeking the Lord shouldn’t be our last resort, but our first response (Matt 6:33).
[6:8] “A prophet.” Nameless. Unknown. He was seemingly insignificant yet he was significantly more obedient than the Israelites, which made him significant. Are you willing to act in faithful obedience to the Lord even if you never get credit for the good work you do?
[6:10] Amorites are the descendants of Canaan (Gen 15:21; Ex 3:8,17; 23:23; Neh 9:8). Israel did not obey GOD. Sin is cyclical: apostasy – do evil; subjugation – judgment; supplication – cry out for help; salvation – GOD delivers through a judge. Reminiscent of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years because they kept returning to their sins, the cycle continues as a dog returning to lap up its own vomit (Deut 2:2-3; Prov 26:11; 2Pet 2:20-22).
[6:11] Gideon was hiding, fearful, yet still had a fighting spirit, refusing to starve to death. The angel of the Lord came to Gideon while he was threshing in an empty winepress. Was Gideon the only one actively seeking out a solution? Is that why he was chosen? A winepress without wine is symbolic for judgment (Job 24:11; Jer 48:33; Isa 16:10; see also, Isa 63:1-6; Rev 14:19-20; 19:15). Why judgment? The people of Israel did evil (6:1). Gideon’s name גִּדְעוֹן [H1439] giḏʿôn (ghid-ohn’) comes from the verb גָּדַע [H1438] gāḏaʿ (gaw-dah’), which means to cut, hew, chop down, or cut off, to fell a tree, or generally to destroy something; hence, Gideon would be one who would cut down something/someone (6:25-27; 8:17,21).
[6:12] Though Gideon was hiding, he wasn’t hidden from the Lord (Jer 17:10; 23:24; Ps 139; Heb 4:13). Though hiding in fear, GOD declared him to be גִּבּוֹר [H1368] gibôr (ghib-bore’), which means strong or mighty. GOD also declared him to be חַיִל [H2428] ḥayil (khah’-yeel), which means force, army, ability, or efficiency. In other words, GOD declared Gideon to be a warrior who is able.
[6:14] YHWH “turned” to him. “Turned” is פָנָה [H6437] pānâ (paw-naw’), which means GOD faced him, showing him respect. Go in his might? “Might” is כֹּחַ [H3581] kōacḥ (ko’-akh), which means ability through human strength and power of GOD; in other words, GOD will empower and enable, but it will require your free choice and effort. This same word is used in Deut 8:18 to remind the Israelites not to boast of their own strength, “for it is He who is giving you power.”
[6:15] Like Moses (Ex 3:11; 4:10) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:6), Gideon felt inadequate and insecure, but GOD chose him anyway. Who we perceive ourselves to be doesn’t matter if GOD declares us to be someone else (Gen 32:28; Matt 16:18-19). Who else was the least? David (1Sam 16:11; 17:28), Israel (Deut 5:15; Neh 4:1-5), Bethlehem (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:6), and even Jesus because of Galilee (John 1:46; 7:41-42,52). So, what matters? (1) Were you chosen by GOD? (2) Were you sent by GOD? (3) Is the Lord with you? If 1 & 2 = yes, then 3 = yes. And if 1, 2, 3 = yes, then 4 should also be yes. (4) Are you willing to act in obedience? If GOD is for us, who can be against us (Ex 33:15-16; Ps 23:4; 118:6; Rom 8:31)?
[6:16] “I will be with you.” The “I will be” is אֶהְיֶ֖ה [H1961] ehyeh (‘eh-yeh), which means was, came, has been, to be, exist, will become, come to pass. It is the “let there be” of creation in the beginning. In Ex 3:12, “I will be.” In Ex 3:14, “ehyeh” is “I AM”! Thus, “I was, I am, and will be.” But who is the great “I AM” who was, is, and will be? Jesus is declared to be the great I AM (John 8:12,58; 14:6; Heb 13:8; Col 1:15-17; Rev 21:6; 22:13). Who then is “the angel of the Lord’?
[6:21] In 6:17, Gideon asks for a sign in order to know it’s truly Him. Him? Who is He? In 6:12, “the angel of the Lord” told Gideon that יְהוָֹה [H3068] YHWH was with him. In 6:14-16, YHWH turned to Gideon and spoke to Gideon. But in 6:15, Gideon responds to אֲדֹנָי [H136] ăḏōnāy (ad-o-nigh’), which means “Lord,” but is a title spoken in place of YHWH in a Jewish display of reverence. In 6:16, YHWH says “ehyeh” (I will be with you). But then in 6:17, Gideon asks for a sign to know if he is speaking with YHWH. And 6:18-21 reveals that Gideon spoke with the angel of the Lord, the One under the tree (6:11,19). But how was he speaking to the angel of the Lord if he was speaking to YHWH? And if YHWH – who is invisible – revealed Himself as the angel of the Lord, what was His appearance? Not only was Gideon unafraid (6:12-13), but he needed a sign to believe. But don’t most people typically become frightened when they see an angel? At the very least, the awesomeness of Holiness produces fear just as Gideon expressed in 6:22. [See also, Ex 3:6; Num 22:23-34; Judg 13:22; 2Kng 19:35; 1Chr 21:16,30; Matt 28:3-5; Luke 1:12-13; 2:9-10; Acts 12:23.] And Gideon, who was generally fearful at this point in the story (6:11,27; 7:10-11) wasn’t afraid of the angel of the Lord. So, did the angel of the Lord look like an average man? It seems so. At least until He vanished (6:21). But then after the angel of the Lord vanished, YHWH told Gideon not to fear and he shall not die (6:23). But if he was still talking to YHWH after the angel of the Lord vanished, they must be two separate persons. However, why promise Gideon that he wouldn’t die if he only saw an angel and not YHWH Himself? In Ex 33:20, YHWH told Moses, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!” But where is it written that those who see an angel will die? Or was Gideon fearful of dying due to unintentional irreverence for that which is holy (Num 4:19; 2Sam 6:6-7)? But in Gen 32:24, Jacob wrestled with a “man” אֱנוֹשׁ [H582] ‘ĕnôšh (en-ohsh’) yet in Gen 32:30, Jacob said he saw “God” אֱלהִים [H430] ĕlōhîm (el-o-heem’) face to face. So, did Gideon also see a man-God face to face? This is the same description king Nebuchadnezzar gave when he saw a fourth person in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, saying “the fourth is like a son of the gods!” So, who is this mysterious man-God? And is this mysterious man-God also the angel of the Lord? At times the angel of the Lord seems to be YHWH or equal in Holiness to YHWH, yet at other times, they seem to be two different persons. So, who is the angel of the Lord? That will be an investigation for a later time.
[6:25-26] The verb gāḏaʿ from which Gideon got his name (see notes for 6:11) is seen in Deut 7:5; 12:3; 2Chr 14:3; 31:1; 34:4, where idols are cut down and destroyed. Thus, Gideon’s very name is GOD’s promise of judgment! Ironically, a bull – which often represents Baal – was used to pull Baal down. Also, the Asherim – which is wood – was used for a burnt offering to the One true GOD, YHWH, the great I AM (ehyeh). And Asherah (wood) was used to burn the bull (Baal). Thus, two false gods were destroyed by GOD’s Holy fire.
[6:27] Even though Gideon was afraid, he still acted in obedience. It was his obedience, not the burnt offering, that pleased GOD (1Sam 15:22-23; Hos 6:6; Ps 51:16-17; Prov 21:3; Isa 1:11-20; Matt 21:28-32). Only later would the significance of ineffective sacrifices be understood through divine revelation (Heb 10:1-18).
[6:28-32] “The men of the town” – many were Israelites! Hence, 6:1 – they did evil. Deut 13:6-11 says idolaters should die, yet they – the idolaters – wanted to kill an obedient man of GOD. Woe to them (Isa 5:20). Praise be to Joash for standing his ground against the crowd (Acts 5:29; Gal 1:10; Eph 6:6; 1Thes 2:4). Gideon became known as “Jerubbaal” יְרֻבַּעַל [H3378] Yerubbaal (yer-oob-bah’-al). Essentially, Gideon became an enemy against Baal, Asherah, and all idols and false gods. It is my prayer that I may be so blessed to be known as Jerubbaal, for I wage war against the adversary, who wages war against GOD (Matt 6:24; 1Kng 18:21; Josh 24:15; 1Cor 10:21; Jms 4:4). It is for this reason Christians are not of this world and hated by the world (John 15:18-20; 17:14-18).
[6:34] When did the Spirit come upon Gideon? After he chose to act in obedience, but before the enemy could attack. “Spirit” is רוּחַ [H7307] rûacḥ (roo’-akh), which means as breath, like wind, which animates or moves to action, inspiring, imparting, impelling. This same Spirit was involved in creation (Gen 1:2) and sustains life (Gen 6:3,17), empowering and enabling the vessels (Num 11:17,25,29). “Clothed” is לָבַשׁ [H3847] lāḇašh (law-bash’), which means to be clothed, put on, wear, to come upon, wrap around. In Gen 3:21, Adam and Eve were clothed with animal skin/fur, or flesh/world, which represents sin. Being clothed with Spirit foreshadows Pentecost (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-41; 10:44-48), walking by the Spirit (John 15:26; 16:7-15; Rom 8:14; Gal 4:6; 5:16-25) into glorification (1Cor 15:50-57; Rev 21-22).
[6:34-35] Many were called. We are not alone in this war even if we feel that way (1Kng 19:14-18; 2Kng 6:16-17).
[6:36] Gideon was full of doubt and fear, yet he sought the Lord. Seek and find (Deut 4:29; 2Chr 15:1-4; Jer 29:11-13; Matt 7:7-11; Acts 17:27). Draw near to GOD and GOD will draw near to you (Ps 145:17-20; Mal 3:7; James 4:6-10). But why did he doubt after 6:21? Like Elijah, Gideon became public enemy #1 (1Kng 19:1-4,10). Unlike Elijah, Gideon had an army (6:34-35). Yet he was still afraid. “If.” If? All things are possible for GOD (Gen 18:14; Job 42:2; Jer 32:17,27; Zech 8:6; Matt 19:26; Mark 9:23; 10:27; Luke 1:37; 18:27; John 11:40).
[6:37] Why wool? It was common, but may be symbolic. Wool is from sheep, Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb (Isa 53:7; John 1:29,36; Acts 8:32; Rom 3:24-25; Heb 10:10-14; 1Pet 1:19; 1John 2:2; 4:10; Rev 5:6,12-13; 7:10,17; 12:11; 13:8), whiteness of wool describes purity of sins forgiven (Isa 1:18; Rev 7:14), and the hair of the Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9), who is Jesus (Rev 1:14). But Jesus is also Shepherd and we’re His sheep (Ps 23:1; Isa 40:11; Ezek 34:23,31; Mic 5:4; Mark 6:34; John 10:1-16; Heb 13:20; 1Pet 2:25; Rev 7:17). So, it may represent the Shepherd seeing and caring for His sheep. But why on the threshing floor? Again, may be symbolic. Matt 3:12 describes Jesus as the Lord of the Harvest and how He will clear the threshing floor, gathering His wheat but burning the chaff with unquenchable fire. The wicked are likened to worthless chaff (Ps 35:5; Isa 33:11; Dan 2:35).
[6:37-40] Perhaps Gideon reasoned the first sign was natural, so he asked for the opposite, which would be supernatural. Many ignorant Christians view this “laying out the fleece” as a faith formula, but it’s actually a lack of faith. That’s why Gideon requested for GOD’s anger not to burn against him (as GOD did with Moses; Ex 4:14). Gideon already received his sign in 6:21. Visible signs are unnecessary if they only confirm what we already know is true. He already had GOD’s Word (6:14,16) and experienced the Spirit (6:34). Likewise, we already have GOD’s Word (2Tim 3:16-17) and received the Spirit (Eph 1:13-14; 4:30; 1Thes 5:19), so we don’t need a sign if we’ve already been told what to do. Examples: we don’t need a sign to confirm that we should forgive others (Matt 6:14-15) or make disciples (Matt 28:19-20). With that in mind, Gideon never needed a sign to pull down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherim because he already had GOD’s Word on the matter (Ex 23:23-24,32-33; 34:11-16; Num 25:3-5; Deut 11:26-28; 12:2-4, 28-32; 18:9; 30:15-20; Josh 24:14-28). However, Gideon struggled with doubts, fears, and insecurities (6:13,15). Gideon’s desire to “test” נָסָה [H5254] nāsâ (naw-saw’) GOD, meaning to try, put to the test, or to prove, seems to violate Mosaic Law (Deut 6:16); however, he had pure intentions with obedience in mind for the outcome. Though he lacked faith and was filled with fear, his request was respectful, hoping to increase faith. And just as GOD tested Israel (Judg 2:22; 3:1), GOD was simultaneously testing Gideon, who already passed one test (6:27). The Israelites, however, had seen multiple miracles and yet still grumbled while they tested GOD even though they didn’t need to put GOD to the test (Ex 15:24; 16:2-12; 17:1-7; Num 14,16; Ps 78, 106; 1Cor 10:5-11; Heb 3:7-11). So, the forbidden “test” is always connected with disbelief, having disobedience and rebellion in mind. The circumstance is dependent upon prior experiences and current understanding (Isa 7:12-13; Matt 4:7; Mark 9:24; Acts 5:9; 1Cor 6:5). Gideon had no prior experience and was trying to understand (5:31; 6:1,13). When GOD granted Gideon’s two tests, He eliminated excuses while increasing Gideon’s faith. But with increased faith from a new testimony of GOD’s faithfulness, the expectation for obedience also increases because to whom much is given much will be required (Luke 12:47-48). Ideally, instead of “laying out the fleece,” Christians should respond enthusiastically to what GOD has already spoken (Isa 6:8; Mark 1:18-20).
[7:2-3] Too many people? GOD granted Gideon’s request for two signs in order to increase his faith and prepare him for this moment. With doubt regarding his calling now eliminated, Gideon knows obedience will be required. If he was afraid before, now his fear would be multiplied by 22,000 because that’s how many people returned home and would not fight with him. But GOD was gracious and provided reasoning: He is preventing Israel from boasting. Ironically, GOD allowed all who were fearful to return home except Gideon, who was still afraid. The others didn’t witness the angel of the Lord and fire from the rock (6:21), nor did they experience the Spirit (6:34) or witness two signs (6:36-40). But Gideon did. He is without excuse. In addition to prevention of boasting, GOD also prevented infection of fear within the army (Deut 20:5-8). Perspective: were the others blessed because they didn’t have to fight in battle? After all, they would go home to their wives, children, and not die on the battlefield. Or was Gideon blessed because he was GOD’s chosen vessel even though he would have to fight in battle? Many believe they’re blessed if they escape the battle. But are they? Truly? 22,000 people were nameless, yet everyone now knows who Gideon is! Everyone wants the glory, but they don’t want the battlefield story. You’ll never be a reason for victorious celebration unless you participated in the war.
[7:4-8] Still too many people. GOD chose 300 who brought water to their mouths with their hands. Significance? Perhaps they were more alert and ready to counter an attack than those on their knees with their faces in the water. Regardless, the point is that the victory will come from GOD’s power, not man’s might. In 6:34-35, many were called. Yet now, few are chosen (Matt 22:14). Gideon asked for two signs; in return, GOD twice reduced his army. Gideon wanted to be doubly sure and now GOD wants him to be doubly obedient according to his double assurance. Noteworthy is that Gideon did act twice in obedience to take the people to the water and send many home. It takes great faith in GOD to send home thousands and only fight with 300. For this reason Gideon is listed in the Hall of Faith (Heb 11:32).
[7:9-11] GOD told Gideon that if he’s afraid, have his servant go with him; Purah went with him; therefore, Gideon was afraid. True courage is not being fearless; rather, it’s taking action to do what’s right despite being afraid. 22,000 men had the opportunity to act in courage yet they chose to become nameless cowards. Why was this servant named? “Purah” פֻרָה [H6513] purâ (poo-raw’) means a branch, implying fruitfulness. Jesus is the Branch (Isa 4:2; 11:1-5; 53:2; Jer 23:5; 30:9; 33:15-16; Zech 3:8; 6:12-13). Jesus was also the suffering Servant (Isa 42:1-7; 49:1-7; 50:4-10; 52:13-53:12; John 13:5-17; Phil 2:5-8). So, are you afraid? Do not fear, for the Lord will be with you (Matt 18:20; 28:20; Acts 18:10).
[7:11-14] The enemy is “in abundance” and “without number.” Reminiscent of Joshua and Caleb’s experience of spying out the land, Gideon observes a seemingly impossible victory. But through GOD’s power, the Lord sowed a dream in the mind of a soldier, who then sowed that dream into his comrade, which then grew to be fear within their hearts, causing them to prophecy victory for Gideon. Barley grain had only half the value of wheat, and the bread made from it was considered inferior. Gideon was the inferior barely. Crossroad: Gideon came this far. Would he complete the mission and be like Joshua and Caleb and trust in the Lord or be like the Israelites who allowed themselves to be filled with fear and acted faithlessly and wickedly by desiring to stone Joshua and Caleb to death for their faith (Num 14:6-10)?
[7:15-17] Gideon responded with worship. Christians should always respond with worship to seemingly impossible outcomes or unfavorable scenarios (2Sam 12:19-20; Dan 3:16-18,28; 6:7-10; Acts 16:22-26). What happens after worship? We get emboldened by faith and empowered by the Spirit. And so, emboldened, Gideon stepped into leadership: “Look at me” and “do as I do.” Paul later said something similar (1Cor 11:1).
[7:18-22] Reminiscent of the great shout of Jericho (Josh 6:5,16,20), Gideon and his men also shouted. Interestingly, he added “and for Gideon.” Why? Pride? Was he trying to usurp GOD’s glory? I don’t believe so. I think it was wisdom. It confirmed the fear GOD put in their hearts (7:14) – yes, the barely is Gideon! The 300 attacked at the start of the “middle” watch. Jewish tradition speaks of three nighttime watches (Jubilees 49.10,12). Later, in the New Testament, the Roman system had four watches. Judgment will come at a time when we do not expect (Matt 24:36,42-51; 25:13; Mark 13:32,35-37; Luke 12:35-46). From the enemy’s perspective, they heard hundreds of trumpets, shattering of jars, and saw only hundreds of flaming torches because it was dark. If hundreds were available to blow trumpets and hold torches, the soldiers holding weapons must have been thousands. The torch is reminiscent of Isa 62:1: “her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning.” With 300 trumpets, it would’ve sounded like a gigantic army. If the torch was in the left hand and the trumpet in the right, why did Gideon’s men shout “a sword for the Lord”? Because in the confusion, the enemy killed themselves with their own swords. Gideon and his men needed only to stand their ground and trust in the Lord and watch the Lord fight their battle for them (Ex 14:13-14,25; Deut 1:29-31; 3:22; Josh 23:3; 2Chr 20:29; Neh 4:20; Ps 46:1,10-11; Isa 50:10; Jer 15:20-21; Zech 14:13). GOD spoke their victory (7:7), GOD’s Word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword (Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12), and His Word accomplishes His will and does not return void (Isa 45:23; 46:10; 55:10-11; Matt 24:35).
[7:23-25] GOD’s strategy: only 300 were needed at that location because all other men were everywhere else, ready to intercept the enemy who fled. Our focus is that we should be willing to call upon the body and the body should be able to unite together (Acts 4:24,31; 5:12; Rom 15:5-7; 1Cor 12:12-27; Phil 2:2-4; 1John 1:7). After all, even the enemy knows how to unite as one against the Lord and His children (Ps 2:2-3; 83:5; Mark 5:9). Oreb was killed at the rock. “Oreb” עֹרֵב [H6159]ʿōrēḇ (o-rabe’) essentially means עֶרֶב [H6153] ʿereḇ (eh’-reb), which means evening, night, or covered by darkness. Not only did the 300 attack at night in the covering of darkness, but Oreb was evil and thus a symbol of darkness (John 3:19-21; 11:9-10; Eph 5:6-13). Oreb was killed at the rock. The Lord is the Rock and all who fall on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust (Luke 20:17-18). “Zeeb” זְאֵב [H2062 / H2061] zeeb (zeh-abe’) means wolf. Not only is a wolf a literal predator (Gen 49:27; Jer 5:6; Zeph 3:3), but wolves also represent false teachers, apostates, or someone who is a danger to GOD’s children (Ezek 22:27; Matt 7:15; 10:16; John 10:12; Acts 20:29). Zeeb was killed at the winepress. Judgment in the winepress resembles the final judgment against all wicked people (Isa 63:1-6; Rev 14:19-20; 19:15). Hence, Oreb and Zeeb came to represent GOD’s judgment against evil (Ps 83:11; Isa 10:26), which is the burden and yoke removed from the shoulders and neck (Isa 9:4; 11:27; Matt 11:28-30). Those who trust in the Lord and endure until the end will experience all burden removed (Isa 25:8-9; Rev 7:16-17; 21:4).
[8:1-3] They accused Gideon just as Job had been accused by his friends and Satan, and Jonathan had been accused by Saul (1Sam 20:30), but Gideon returned accusation with flattery, causing their anger to subside. Gideon’s wise response turned away wrath (Prov 15:1,18; 10:12; Gal 6:1). Abigail had done similar toward David (1Sam 25:10-35).
[8:4-21] This story is similar to the aforementioned story of Nabal, Abigail, and David, except no one interceded here. Gideon and the 300 were “exhausted yet pursuing.” For all that GOD calls us to do, our focus is to endure until the end and run the race so as to win (Matt 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; 1Cor 4:12; 9:24-27; 10:13; 13:7; 2Cor 1:6; 2Tim 2:10-13; 4:5; Heb 12:1-17; 1Pet 2:19-20). As a tribe of Gad (Josh 13:27), those in Succoth were supposed to love their neighbors as themselves (Lev 19:17-18) but they didn’t. Those in Penuel also chose to do evil. Gideon’s righteous anger was warranted because and he was to hate evil (Ps 97:10; Prov 8:13; Amos 5:15). Although his anger was justified, his sinning in his anger was not justified (Gen 4:6-7; Ps 4:4-5) – he took revenge into his own hands rather than allowing GOD to avenge him (Lev 19:18; Deut 32:35-36). He tortured and killed fellow Israelites for refusing to support his army. Gideon became the first judge to turn the sword against his fellow Israelites. The only killings that were justified were the deaths of Zebah and Zalmunna because they murdered his brothers; therefore, Gideon sought a life for a life as per the Law (Gen 9:6; Ex 21:12,23; Lev 24:17; Num 35:30-31; Deut 19:21; 27:24). Zebah, Zalmunna, and their army were caught off guard because they “felt secure.” Complacency kills. “Zebah” זֶבַח [H2078 / H2077] zeḇaḥ (zeh’-bakh) means a sacrifice or slaughter, thus the flesh of a slain animal. “Zalmunna” צַלְמֻנָּע [H6759] ṣalmunnāʿ (tsal-moon-naw’) means that shade has been denied, referring to the benefit of protection being withheld. Hence, both of their names declared them to be as good as dead. This section highlights Gideon’s increase of faith and confidence; however, it also highlights Gideon’s departure from the Lord’s guidance. The presence of the Lord is noticeably absent. Whereas Gideon previously waited for the Lord to give them victory (7:21), now Gideon seems to embrace leadership and makes confident (if not cocky) commands, seemingly relying upon his own strength.
[8:22-28] Repeating Israel’s mistake of the past, the men claimed that Gideon saved them (not GOD) and requested him to be their king instead of the Lord (1Sam 8:4-9), but Gideon rightly stated that only the Lord is ruler. However, Gideon’s actions didn’t match his words. Gideon, made the same mistake Aaron made by making an idol (Ex 32:2-4). Idols became constant snares (Hos 13:2). Although Gideon appears to reject their invitation to be their king, by ancient Near Eastern standards all his actions thereafter are typical of kings: (1) he claims the lion’s share of the plunder for himself; (2) he claims the purple [royal] garments of the Midianite kings; (3) he establishes a national cult center complete with divine image; (4) he establishes a large harem with “many wives,” at least one “concubine,” and fathers 70 sons; and (5) he names his son “Abimelech” אֲבִימֶלֶךְ [H40] ‘ăḇîmeleḵ (ab-ee-mel’-ek), which means “my father is king.” In order to support all his wives and children, he had to have the resources of a king. We must ensure our actions match our words because hypocrites don’t fare well in judgment (Matt 10:26; 23:13-33; 24:51).
[8:29-35] After Gideon died, the people of Israel again became harlots, echoing Deut 12:30 and Judg 2:3,17. They did not have a personal relationship with the Lord. You cannot be saved by someone else’s faith (Matt 25:1-13). And even a strong beginning does not ensure a secure end (1Sam 9:21; 31:3-9; 1Kng 3:6-14; 11:1-11; Matt 10:4; 27:5). Gideon also allowed himself to indulge in harlotry via sexual sins of polygamy, which GOD condemned (Deut 17:17). A hero on the public battlefield is not always a hero in private daily life (2Sam 11; Matt 23). It is possible for one to win a single battle yet lose the whole war. It’s important to remember that sometimes Satan’s strongest and most strategic attacks come after an initial victory when the victor puts down his shield because he feels secure. Again, complacency kills.
Final Analysis:
Gideon was courageous and replaced his fear with faith. However, he ended up replacing his faith in GOD’s power with confidence in man’s might. Sadly, he also abandoned his leadership role and allowed the Israelites to fall into idolatry. Worse, like Solomon, he replaced his love for GOD with lust for women. Through a concubine, he fathered a bastard son who would later bring great grief and tragedy to both Gideon’s family and the nation of Israel. From winepress, to warrior, to women, Gideon’s strong beginning did not come to a secure end. But despite his downfalls, it is written that Gideon had accomplished good in Israel as a Judge (8:35) and will forever be remembered for his faith in believing the Lord to fight his battle against the Midianites (Heb 11:32). Gideon showcases how the vessel (human being) is only great while in proper relationship with the Lord, empowered by the Spirit. And the fact that Gideon is listed in the Hall of Faith showcases GOD’s grace in that none of us need to be perfect, we need only to be a person after GOD’s heart (1Sam 13:14; 1Kng 11:4; Acts 13:22), continually bearing fruit in keeping with repentance, and to live faithfully obedient while trusting in the Lord. And through our faith-filled obedience (in Christ Jesus), GOD will remember our sins no more (Ps 25:7; Isa 43:25; Heb 8:12; 10:17).
Quest For Truth 