THEN THE SONS OF ISRAEL DID WHAT WAS EVIL OF THE LORD: (did evil - Jdg 2:13,14,19,20; Leviticus 26:14-46; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Nehemiah 9:26, 27, 28, 29; Psalms 106:34-42 )

Note the time phrase "then" which marks sequence. When is then? Stated another way, what did we just observe regarding time? (see note Judges 5:31)

Did evil in the sight of the LORD - a repeated phrase in Judges - see notes Judges 2:11, 3:12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, Judges 13:1 The phrase did evil is common in is also common in 1 & 2 Kings (24 times -  click here for all 41 uses of the phrase "did evil" in the OT), increasing in frequency in second Kings. It is as if the closer they got to judgment, the more evil they became or the more certain the judgment had to be. Just a thought to ponder. Note it is also interesting that this phrase did evil is not found in 1 & 2 Samuel. Could it be that the reason is that the leaders were godly men like Samuel and David? Note also that the evil began with Baalim (plural) but progressed to the point documented in Judges 10:6 (note)!

This same phrase is used to describe King Solomon's evil 1 Kings 11:6

And Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done.

In Judges 6 we see that 40 years of rest led to dimming of their memories regarding the greatness of God's deliverance over Sisera's 900 iron chariots. And so the next generation fell right back into the syncretism that again threatened to obliterate Israel's distinction as God's treasured possession. What is the principle for believer's of all ages? Remember, remember, remember. Remember the times God has delivered you in the past out of or through a difficult time. Time has a way of eroding our memory and dimming our vision of the greatness of our God. Just another reason to be in the Word daily reading verses like Judges 6:1. If it happened to them, it can happen to us. Periods of "rest" in our spiritual lives can lull us into the delusion that we are self sufficient and don't really need God all that much.

AND THE LORD GAVE THEM INTO THE HANDS OF MIDIAN 7 YEARS (Ge 37:28; Ex 2:15; Nu 10:29; 24:21; 25:1-3; 25:17; 31:2) (Midian - Genesis 25:2; Numbers 25:17,18; Habakkuk 3:7):

TSK - When God judges, he will overcome; and sinners shall be made either to bend or break before him. See the ensuing history.

Gave them - Jehovah repeatedly gave Israel into the hands of their enemies. Jdg 2:14, 11:32, 13:1-See notes Judges 2:14; 11:32; 13:1)

Midian was located just south of Edom and at the north extremity of the Gulf of Aqaba. Midianites were semi-nomadic sons of Abraham. Midian was a son of Abraham by his concubine Keturah. (Genesis 25:2). Moses must have learned about surviving in the desert during these years.

Gideon's judgeship receives the most extensive narration in the Judges (100 verses comprising 3 chapters).

AND THE POWER (hand ~ strength) OF MIDIAN PREVAILED AGAINST ISRAEL: (Leviticus 26:17; Deuteronomy 28:47,48) (1Samuel 13:6; 14:11; Hebrews 11:38; Revelation 6:15)

Charles Spurgeon declared a principle we would all do well to hear and heed...

 “The Lord does not permit His children to sin successfully.”

God is not a “permissive parent” who allows His children to do as they please, for His ultimate purpose is that they might be “conformed to the image of His Son” (Ro8:29). The Father wants to be able to look at each member of His spiritual family and say, “This is My beloved child, in whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17; 12:18; 17:5).

Chastening is evidence of God’s hatred for sin and His love for His people. We can’t conceive of a holy God wanting anything less than His very best for His children, and the best He can give us is a holy character like that of Jesus Christ. Obedience to the Lord builds character, but sin destroys character; and God cannot sit idly by and watch His children destroy themselves.

Israel had already experienced forty-three years of suffering under the harsh rule of the neighboring nations, but they hadn’t yet learned their lesson and turned away from the heathen idols. Unless our suffering leads to repentance, it accomplishes no lasting good; and unless our repentance is evidence of a holy desire to turn from sin, not just escape from pain, repentance is only remorse.

BECAUSE OF MIDIAN THE SONS OF ISRAEL MADE FOR THEMSELVES THE DENS WHICH WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND THE CAVES AND THE STRONGHOLDS:

Hiding in dens and caves...what a contrast for the chosen people who God said would "ride on the high places of the earth" (Deut 32:13)! Beloved, have you disobeyed God and as a result are hiding in a "den" or "cave" because you are experiencing the attacks of the "Midianites"? Then you need to study the life of Gideon, a most unlikely Biblical hero. God's Spirit transformed Gideon's fearful faith and He do the same for you beloved.

Note the repetition of places of refuge which emphasizes their fearful state. They ran to hide in the rocks instead of hiding in the the Everlasting Rock of ages, the Rock of their salvation.

Harper's Bible dictionary writes that...

"Natural caves are abundant in Syro-Palestine due to the presence of chalk, limestone, and sandstone formations in the hills and mountains. Because of the soft qualities of these materials, man-made tombs and caves are also abundant.

Not only are the caves in this region abundant, but they are frequently massive in size. One cave complex near Damascus in modern Syria was capable of holding four thousand men, according to Strabo, a Greek geographer who wrote in the late first century B.C. . That complex of caves is still visible today. Palestine also had large caves as indicated by the fact that David could conceal four hundred men in the cave of Adullam (1 Sam. 22:1-2)." .

Wiersbe quips that...

FOR IT WAS WHEN ISRAEL HAD SOWN: (when Israel - Leviticus 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:30, 31, 32, 33,51; Job 31:8; Isaiah 65:21,22; Micah 6:15)

You have a garden, and you work hard all spring and summer to make that garden produce abundantly. But every year, just about the time you’re ready to gather in the harvest, your neighbors swoop down and take your produce away from you by force. This goes on year after year, and there’s nothing you can do about it. If you can imagine that scenario, then you’ll have some idea of the suffering the Jews experienced every harvest when the Midianites made their annual raids. For seven years, God allowed the Midianites and their allies to ravage “the land of milk and honey,” leaving the people in the deepest poverty.

THAT THE MIDIANITES WOULD COME UP WITH THE AMALEKITES:

Midianites were descended from MIDIAN & were "half-brothers" with the Hebrews as MIDIAN was one of the several children born to Abraham and Keturah, who had been sent away to the east so that Isaac might be Abraham’s uncontested heir (Ge 25:1-6). Joseph was later sold into Egypt by Midianite merchants (Ge 37:23-28). Moses fled to the land of Midian where he lived for 40 yr & where he married Zipporah, a Kenite princess, daughter of Jethro, priest of Midian (Ex 2:15-22). The Midianites provided opposition 9aided by Balaam who became a tool in their hands to curse Israel) to the Israelites as they journeyed toward the Promised Land, being found in league with the Moabites (Nu 22-25) and the Amorites (Josh 13:21). Known primarily as prosperous traders, the various groups of Midianites tended to merge with the Ishmaelites (cf. Ge 37:25, 26, 27, 28; Jdg 8:24). Later, Balaam became a tool in the hands of the Midianites to curse Israel (Nu 22-24). The AMELAKITES occupied the region just S of Judah. So this oppression was not continual occupation (like the preceding one of the Canaanites) but a seasonal invasion at harvest time.

AND THE SONS OF THE EAST AND GO AGAINST THEM:

SO THEY WOULD CAMP AGAINST THEM AND DESTROY THE PRODUCE OF THE EARTH AS FAR AS GAZA: (Leviticus 26:16; Deuteronomy 28:30,33,51; Micah 6:15) (Genesis 10:19; 13:10) (Proverbs 28:3; Jeremiah 49:9,10; Obadiah 1:5)

since Gaza is on the seacoast in SW Israel this fact shows that these Midianite raiders covered most of Israel from E to W.

FOR THEY WOULD COME UP WITH THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THEIR TENTS THEY WOULD COME IN LIKE LOCUSTS FOR NUMBER: (tents - Song of Solomon 1:5; Isaiah 13:20; as grasshoppers - Jdg 7:12; 8:10; Jeremiah 46:23)

"like locusts" = SIMILE = figure of speech comparing two unlike things & often introduced by like or as. Contrast with METAPHOR = figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object (eg, "food" in Jn 4:34) or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them

Desert locusts are phenomenal travelers. They are able to fly for 17 hours at a time and have been known to travel 1500 miles. The sound of their wings is compared to the sound of chariots (Joel 2:5; Rev 9:9). A swarm has been known to cover a hundred square miles and to be so dense as to blot out the sun, A truly large swarm may contain ten billion locusts.

Easton's Bible dictionary records that...

"The devastations they make in Eastern lands are often very appalling. The invasions of locusts are the heaviest calamites that can befall a country. “Their numbers exceed computation: the and the Arabs knew them as ‘the darkeners of the sun.’ Unable to guide their own flight, though capable of crossing large spaces, they are at the mercy of the wind, which bears them as blind instruments of Providence to Easton's Bible dictionary. the doomed region given over to them for the time. Innumerable as the drops of water or the sands of the seashore, their flight obscures the sun and casts a thick shadow on the earth (Ex. 10:15; Jdg. 6:5; 7:12; Jer. 46:23; Joel 2:10). It seems indeed as if a great aerial mountain, many miles in breadth, were advancing with a slow, unresting progress. Woe to the countries beneath them if the wind fall and let them alight! They descend unnumbered as flakes of snow and hide the ground. It may be ‘like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them is a desolate wilderness. At their approach the people are in anguish; all faces lose their colour’ (Joel 2:6). No walls can stop them; no ditches arrest them; fires kindled in their path are forthwith extinguished by the myriads of their dead, and the countless armies march on (Joel 2:8, 9). If a door or a window be open, they enter and destroy everything of wood in the house. Every terrace, court, and inner chamber is filled with them in a moment. Such an awful visitation swept over Egypt (Ex. 10:1–19), consuming before it every green thing, and stripping the trees, till the land was bared of all signs of vegetation. A strong north-west wind from the Mediterranean swept the locusts into the Red Sea.”

BOTH THEY AND THEIR CAMELS WERE INNUMERABLE (camels - Jdg 8:21; 1Sa 30:17; Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 49:29,32; to destroy - Psalms 83:4-12)

Camels were a major factor in their success, being able to travel for 3-4 days, at about 100 mi/day w/o food or water, carrying heavy loads which made them a formidable long-range military threat. This is the first reference to an organized raid using camels (cf. Ge 24:10,11). The American army started an interesting experiment to use camels in its fight against the Indians but shelved the project when the Civil War broke out. So here were the Israeli forces, dependent totally on foot soldiers, and in come marauding bands of Midianites on creatures who by their ugly appearance alone would strike terror in the hearts of those who saw them coming.

AND THEY CAME INTO THE LAND TO DEVASTATE IT:

Joseph Parker applies this text commenting on God's use of natural means to discipline us...

SO ISRAEL WAS BROUGHT VERY LOW (see same word "hang down" Pr 26:7 for picture of this low state. LXX = poor & helpless, pix of one crouching like a beggar bc poverty) BECAUSE OF (literally "the face of") MIDIAN: (impoverished - Psalms 106:43; Jeremiah 5:17; Malachi 1:4; cried -
3:9,15; Psalms 50:15; 78:34; 106:44; Isaiah 26:16; Hosea 5:15)

Israel’s backsliding resulted in poverty and fear or lack of peace exactly what God had predicted in (Lev 26:1-6). God's promises are true, both of blessing & cursing (Heb 4:12-note). Those whom Israel had once conquered (Midian defeated in Nu 31 just before Moses died & Joshua led them into the promised land of milk & honey -- instead of enjoying the riches of the physical & spiritual life that God had intended for His children, Israel was reduced as the Septuagint pictures it to lead the life of a beggar - are you living like a beggar even though you are a child of the King, a son of the living God? (Ro 8:16-note) were now her masters. When believers turn from the Lord to the flesh, old habits enslave and impoverish us as well and we will be fearful.

How sad that Israel was brought so LOW, when God had delivered them from bondage in Egypt and brought them UP (Jdg 6:8). What a commentary...our efforts and self will usually end up taking us "DOWN" whereas God's will and work takes us "UP". Lord, open our eyes to see this simple truth. Amen.

AND THE SONS OF ISRAEL CRIED (Qal Impf) TO THE LORD (Jdg 3:9,15, Ps 50:15; Hos 5:15, Ps 78:34,106:44, Isa 26:16):

NOW IT CAME ABOUT WHEN THE SONS OF ISRAEL CRIED (for help in time of distress) TO THE LORD ON ACCOUNT OF MIDIAN:

Once again they are not crying out to God "on account of" their sin and seeking the gift of repentance. And yet does God refuse their request? What does this say about God that applies to all of us?

J Vernon McGee quips...

THAT THE LORD SENT A PROPHET TO THE SONS OF ISRAEL, AND HE SAID TO THEM: (Jdg 2:1, 2, 3; Nehemiah 9:9, 10, 11, 12; Psalms 136:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; Isaiah 63:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14; Ezekiel 20:5-32)

only prophet mentioned in the book besides the Prophetess Deborah. God used prophets in isolated cases before Samuel, the band of prophets Samuel probably founded (1Sa10:5), and later such prophets as Elijah, Elisha, and the writing prophets—major and minor. Here the prophet is sent to bring the divine curse because of their infidelity (v10). So cried to God for a deliverer, and He sent them a prophet to point out the "why" of their predicament (DISOBEDIENCE) (Jdg 6:10 cf Heb 4:12-note, He 4:13-note; Lam 2:14).

We usually call Samuel the first of the prophets (Acts 3:24), but there were unnamed prophets before Samuel’s time.

Ralph Davis comments on God's response to Israel's cry for help writing that...

Israel cries for relief, “and Yahweh sent a prophet to the sons of Israel” (Jdg 6:8). That would be like a stranded motorist calling a garage for assistance and the garage sending a philosopher instead of a mechanic. Israel needs deliverance and Yahweh sends a prophet; Israel asks for an act of God’s power and he sends them a proclaimer of his word who rehearses Yahweh’s grace (Jdg 6:8, 9), repeats Yahweh’s demand (v. 10a), and levels Yahweh’s accusation (Jdg 6:10b). Hence Yahweh sends a prophet because Israel needs more than immediate relief; they need to understand why they are oppressed. They must see that “Yahweh gave them into the hand of Midian” (Jdg 6:1) because they had “not listened to [his] voice” (Jdg 6:10b). Surely God’s way with his people has not changed. Do we sometimes marvel at the “inappropriate” answers God gives to our urgent need? Like Israel, we may want escape from our circumstances while God wants us to interpret our circumstances. Sometimes we may need understanding more than relief; sometimes God must give us insight before he dare grant safety. Understanding God’s way of holiness is more important than absence of pain. We may want out of a bind, whereas God wants us to see our idolatry. God means to instruct us, not pacify us. We should not miss the kindness of God in all this. One of the kindest things God does for us is to bring us under the criticism of his word to expose the reasons for our helplessness and misery. He does this by the preaching, counsel, or reading of his word. (Ralph Davis Judges: Such a Great Salvation - Focus on the Bible)

THUS SAYS THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL IT WAS I WHO BROUGHT YOU UP FROM EGYPT (Josh 24:17):

AND I SAID TO YOU, I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD YOU SHALL NOT FEAR (could mean "reverence") THE GODS OF THE AMORITES IN WHOSE LAND YOU LIVE: (I am  - Exodus 20:2,3 fear not - 2Kings 17:33,35, 36, 37, 38, 39; Jeremiah 10:2 )

"Do not fear" is translated by NIV as "do not worship" which is possible but the Hebrew verb speaks of reverential awe or respect. To be sure, the effect of fears of a deity, is that one will obey, serve, and worship that god. The Lord made it clear to Israel that they were to fear Him alone.

In essence this might be paraphrased as "you shall have no other gods before Me" (Ex20:3-5) The Israelites gave no evidence of real repentance, but their affliction moved God’s loving heart. “In all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isa63:9). “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Ps103:10, NIV). God in His mercy doesn’t give us what we do deserve; and in His grace, He gives us what we don’t deserve.

BUT YOU HAVE NOT OBEYED (hearkened to) ME (2Ch24:19 re not listening to prophets): (Jdg 2:2; Proverbs 5:13; Jeremiah 3:13,25; 9:13; 42:21; 43:4,7; Zephaniah 3:2; Romans 10:16; Hebrews 5:9)

THEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME AND SAT UNDER THE OAK THAT WAS IN OPHRAH (fawn): see analysis of this title "Angel of the LORD" (Jdg 6:14-16; 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5; 5:23; 13:3,18, 19, 20; Genesis 48:16; Joshua 18:23; Isaiah 63:9)

Ophrah's location not absolutely certain but it was apparently E of the Esdraelon Plain = Gk for Jezreel = low-lying area separating mountains of Galilee from the mountains of Samaria.

WHICH BELONGED TO JOASH THE ABIEZRITE (= my father is help):

What is unique in this description of Gideon is that text does not say as it did in previous chapters "God raised up a deliverer". Since Gideon’s father Joash was an Abiezrite (a clan of Manasseh, Jos17:2), this Ophrah was not the place located in Benjamin but rather a northern site possibly near the border of Manasseh in the Jezreel Valley. Possible site identifications are el-Affula (six miles east of Megiddo) or et-Taiyiba (Hapharaim, eight miles northwest of Beth Shan).

The story of Gideon is introduced not by an affirmation that “God raised up a deliverer named Gideon,” but rather by a narration of how God raised him up. Gideon’s call or commission resulted from a confrontation with the Angel of the Lord (Who is “the LORD” YAHWEH, "I AM" [v14, 16, 23, 25, 27]

AS HIS SON GIDEON WAS BEATING OUT WHEAT IN THE WINE PRESS (Cp 7:25; rather than on an exposed threshing floor) IN ORDER TO SAVE IT FROM THE MIDIANITES:

Baxter writes that...

Gideon, the fifth judge of Israel, is rightly counted as one of the outstanding heroes in Israel's early history. Yet we need to realize at the outset that his heroism was not a product of his natural make-up, but the outcome of a transforming spiritual experience. It is this which gives him a living significance to ourselves today. (J. Sidlow Baxter. Explore the Book)

This is an act of desperation & fear, lest the Midianites discover and seize even the small amount that could be threshed that way. The usual practice for threshing would be in an open & elevated location where the wind would blow away the chaff. This indicated a situation of serious distress; also it indicated a small amount of grain. This is clear because he is doing it rather than having cattle tread it. It is on bare ground or in the winepress rather than on a threshing floor made of wood, and is done remotely under a tree out of view.

In sum, Gideon’s act of threshing wheat in a winepress reflected both his fear of discovery by the Midianites and the smallness of his harvest. Normally wheat was threshed (the grain separated from the wheat stalks) in an open area on a threshing floor (cf. 1 Ch21:20-23) by oxen pulling threshing sledges over the stalks.

SIGNIFICANCE OF "WINEPRESS"

In Gideon's day the winepress was always put at the foot of the hill because they brought the grapes down from the vineyard. Naturally, they would carry the heavy grapes downhill; they carried them to the lowest place. In contrast, the threshing floor was always put up on the top of the hill, the highest hill that was available, in order to catch the wind which would drive the chaff away. Here we find Gideon, down at the bottom of the hill, threshing. Now that would be the place to take the grapes, but that is no place to take your crop in order to do your threshing. Can you see the frustration of this man? Why doesn’t he go to the hilltop? Well, he is afraid of the Midianites. He does not want them to see that he is threshing wheat. And you can imagine his frustration. There is no air getting to him down there, certainly no wind. So he pitches the grain up into the air. And what happens? Does the chaff blow away? No. It comes down around his neck and gets into his clothes making him very uncomfortable. There he is, trying his best to thresh in a place like that, and all the time rebuking himself for being a coward, afraid to go to the hilltop.

Many of the ancient wine presses remain to the present day. Ordinarily they consisted of two rectangular or circular excavations, hewn (Isa 5:2) in the solid rock to a depth of 2 or 3 feet. Where possible one was always higher than the other and they were connected by a pipe or channel. Their size, of course, varied greatly, but the upper vat was always wider and shallower than the lower and was the press proper, into which the grapes were thrown, to be crushed by the feet of the treaders (Isa 63:1-3, etc.). The juice flowed down through the pipe into the lower vat, from which it was removed into jars (Hag 2:16) or where it was allowed to remain during the first fermentation. Many modifications of this form of the press are found. Where there was no rock close to the surface, the vats were dug in the earth and lined with stonework or cement, covered with pitch. 1915 edition (J. Orr, Ed.).

AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID TO HIM: (the angel - Jdg 13:3; Luke 1:11,28; The Lord - Jdg 2:18; Exodus 3:12; Joshua 1:5,9; Ruth 2:4-note; Matthew 1:23; 28:20; Luke 1:28; Acts 18:9,10)

Gideon started his career as somewhat of a coward (Jdg. 6), then became a conqueror (Jdg 7:1-8:21), and ended his career as a compromiser (8:22-35). But more space is devoted to Gideon in the Book of Judges (100 verses) than to any other judge; and Gideon is the only judge whose personal struggles with his faith are recorded. Gideon is a great encouragement to people who have a hard time accepting themselves and believing that God can make anything out of them or do anything with them.

Ninety-six verses are devoted to the last judge, Samson. The first four judges were godly people; but from the time of Gideon, the leaders began to decay until you get to Samson, the most unspiritual of them all. Because the nation wanted freedom from the enemy without being dedicated to God, they didn’t deserve godly leaders. Sometimes God gives His people exactly what they deserve.

THE LORD IS WITH YOU (singular): affirmed the Lord’s presence with Gideon

Davis comments on God's promise "Jehovah is with you" writing that...

"Basically, God has nothing else or more to offer you. You can go through a lot with that promise. It does not answer your questions about details. It only provides the essential. Nothing about when or how or where or why. Only the what, or, better, the Who. “But I will be with you.” And that is enough." (Ralph Davis Judges: Such a Great Salvation - Focus on the Bible)

O VALIANT (mighty, excellent) WARRIOR:

"Valiant" (hayil/chayil) conveys the has the basic idea of strength and influence.

"Warrior" (gibbor) is an adjective meaning brave, strong, mighty and is used in a description of God Himself (El' gibbor" usually rendered as the Mighty God (see Isaiah 10:21; Jer. 32:18).

"Valiant warrior" frequently had a military connotation. In the present context it appears that these name by the Angel of Jehovah anticipated Gideon 's role as a warrior and was intended to inspire confidence. It is possible that the phrase simply identifies Gideon as a prominent citizen in his town which is how it is used of Boaz.

"Valiant warrior" is the same description used of other men in the OT:

Joshua 1:14, 8:3, 10:7, Jephthah in Judges 11:1, Boaz in Ruth 2:1-note, David in 1Samuel 16:18.

It does appear that God called Gideon what he would become, certainly not what he was at the time of this encounter.

God came to a old childless man named Abram and said I will make you a father of many nations.

God came to Cephas and said you will be Peter (Rock).

Our God is an awesome God...while others look at us and see our flaws and failings, God looks at us and sees our possibilities (in Christ). Don't sell yourself short for what God can or will do in and through your life if you are willing to submit to the Refiner's purifying fire and the Master's touch! Remember that God does not save us and use us for what we are but for what by His great mercy and grace we may become.

In short, God recognizes in Gideon something that Gideon does not see himself. God sees our potential. God sees us for what we can become, as He works in our lives. He is in the business of taking "nobodies" and transforming them by His presence in their lives. He begins with us where we are be it in the winepress or on some mundane job, etc. He knows our weaknesses, our faults, our shortcomings but He does not say "If you get those things out of your life, then I'll be able to use you." He takes our inadequacy and transforms it into His adequacy. God has a way of seeing beyond our fears and frailty. God does not save us and use us for what we are but for what by His grace we may become. Amen.

Gideon's story is truly a wonderful example of the truth of [Romans 15:4] = My paraphrase:

"Judges, et. al. was written for our instruction that thru the perseverance & the encouragement of the God of Judges & the lives of the characters of Judges we too might have HOPE in the midst of our trying circumstances." (Real Life Version)

God sees the potential in you and says to you as He did to Simon, “You are . . . You shall be” (John 1:42). He knows your weaknesses and will accommodate Himself to your needs so that He might develop your faith.

Brensinger applies the truths in this section noting that...

Within this wide spectrum of spiritual participants, the opening events of the Gideon narrative speak at least two special words to the weary and fainthearted:

God’s Presence During Difficult Moments - “Help! I’m going round the bend!” a tattered minister cried out to God. “Don’t worry,” came the reply, “I’m coming round there with you!” (Horsman: 91). In much the same way, God responds to both Israel and Gideon during the Midianite crisis. On the national level, the hideous oppression meted out by the Midianites might cause the Israelites to hide in caves, but it fails to scare the Lord away. In answer to Israel’s plea for mercy, God draws near. On a more personal level, the Lord similarly demonstrates his continuing presence to Gideon, his chosen but intimidated vessel of deliverance. Rather than leaving him alone, God steps right up beside Gideon during the most difficult and challenging moments of his life. The Lord, in other words, does not abandon his people when circumstances turn sour, even if the turmoil results from their own doing (Ps. 46:1).

**************************
Judges 6.12
G Campbell Morgan

THEN GIDEON SAID TO HIM, "O MY LORD (not Jehovah but Adon) IF THE LORD IS WITH US, WHY THEN HAS ALL THIS HAPPENED TO US?: (Genesis 25:22; Exodus 33:14, 15, 16; Numbers 14:14,15; Romans 8:31) (Deuteronomy 29:24; 30:17,18; Psalms 77:7-9; 89:49; Isaiah 59:1,2; 63:15 )

How like all of us to question the presence of God because of our present circumstances. But to do so is to doubt the Word of God and that is sin for it is not faith (Ro 14:23). Now it is obvious though that at this point Gideon did not recognize the Holy One Who addressed him but he did use a term of respect similar to Abraham (Ge 19:2 cp Ru 2:13, 1Sa 1:15, etc).

Baxter comments that...

When first we see Gideon he cuts a pathetic figure of unbelief (6:11-23). He is a furtive, nervous young man secretly threshing wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the marauding Midianites. What pathetic exclamations of unbelief escape his lips when the Lord suddenly appears... He gasps - "Oh, my Lord, if Jehovah be with us why then is all this befallen us? And where be all His miracles which our fathers told us of, saying: Did not Jehovah bring us up out of Egypt? But now Jehovah hath forsaken us ..." A rather dismal reception this! - "Oh! ... if ... why? ... where?... but ..." Verse 14 continues, "And Jehovah looked upon him and said: in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?" These were strong and reassuring words, but Gideon can only moan, "Oh, my Lord, wherewith shall I have Israel ...?" The Lord replies still further, "Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." Yet even this only evokes another stammering "if" - "If now I have found grace in Thy sight, then show me a sign." To be sure, in these replies of Gideon we have a fair sample of the vocabulary of unbelief. In his successive exclamations and lamentations we have the skeptical surprise of unbelief, then its uncertainty and its questioning and its complaining and its false humility and its resourcelessness and its persistent dubiety and its seeking for signs. Unconverted Gideon presents a sorry picture of the paralysis which always accompanies unbelief. (J. Sidlow Baxter. Explore the Book)

Warren Wiersbe comments that...

"When God called him, he was hiding. When God spoke to him, he raised problems instead of trusting promises. One of his favorite words was if (vv. 13, 17, 36; Mark 9:22–23)." (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Available. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)

The most popular image of the local church today is that of the corporation, with the pastor as the CEO. I wonder how many churches would want a CEO with the credentials of some of the people God used in the Bible? Moses was eighty years old when he began his ministry and he was wanted for murder in Egypt. Jacob was a schemer. Elijah suffered from depression, and so did Jeremiah. Hosea couldn’t keep his marriage together. Amos, a farmer, had no ministerial training. Peter tried to kill a man with his sword. John Mark was a quitter, and Paul couldn’t get along with his associate Barnabas. These traits are not excuses either for leaders to sin or for churches to lower their standards, but they do remind us that God’s ways aren’t always our ways. The man or woman we think least qualified for God’s work may turn out to be a mighty servant of God.

AND WHERE ARE ALL HIS MIRACLES WHICH OUR FATHERS TOLD US ABOUT, SAYING, 'DID NOT THE LORD BRING US UP FROM EGYPT: (Psalms 44:1; 78:3,4 )

Miracles (pala') is a verb meaning to do something wonderful, to do something extraordinary, or difficult. It frequently signifies the wondrous works of God, especially His deliverance and judgments. The verbal root of pala' has the basic meaning be surpassing and conveys the ideas "be extraordinary, beyond one's imagination or expectations" or "be too difficult, beyond one's capability." Gideon most likely was referring to the Exodus and the events connected to it. In the Exodus account pala' refers specifically to the plagues God sent upon Egypt (Ex. 3:20), while Ps. 78:11, 12 associates these wonders with the miracle at the Red Sea.

Gideon's response reflects unbelief as well as ignorance (or forgetfulness) of God and His clear warning in Scripture that if Israel would forsake God...

"Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they shall be consumed, and many evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day, 'Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?'  (Dt 31:17)

Gideon had it backwards! The Lord had not forsaken them as much as they had forsaken the Lord!

BUT NOW THE LORD HAS ABANDONED US AND GIVEN US INTO THE HAND OF MIDIAN: (Deuteronomy 31:17; 2Chronicles 15:2; Psalms 27:9; Isaiah 41:17; Jeremiah 23:33)

Gideon’s initial response ignored the singular pronoun “you” (Jdg 6:12), for he replied, If the Lord is with us (pl. pronoun). Gideon questioned the divine promise in view of his people’s present circumstances. He correctly concluded, however, that the Lord had put them into the hand of Midian. The point however is that it was not God Who had abandoned His people, but God's people who had turned their backs on Him. It is far easier to blame God for our problems than to recognize and deal with our sins and responsibilities.

Abandoned (natash) means to forsake or leave alone and carries the basic sense of leave, reject or abandon. Natash is used of the Lord rejecting his people because of their rebellion. When God does so, He withdraws His protective presence and hands them over to their enemies, subjecting them to defeat and humiliation.

John MacArthur's comment is cogent:

LXE And the angel of the Lord turned to him, and said, Go in this thy strength, and thou shalt save Israel out of the hand of Madiam: behold, I have sent thee.

AND THE LORD [turned towards &] LOOKED AT HIM AND SAID:

Note that the Messiah turned and fixed Gideon in His gaze. Although did not fully recognize Who it was that looked at him, he must have seen something different as he later seeks to bring an offering.

Spurgeon wrote a devotional on this verse entitled "One Look from the Lord"...

What a look was that which the Lord gave to Gideon! He looked him out of his discouragements into a holy bravery. If our look to the Lord saves us, what will not His look at us do? Lord, look on me this day, and nerve me for its duties and conflicts. What a word was this which Jehovah spoke to Gideon! “Go.” He must not hesitate. He might have answered, “What, go in all this weakness?” But the Lord put that word out of court by saying, “Go in this thy might.” The Lord had looked might into him, and he had now nothing to do but to use it and save Israel by smiting the Midianites. It may be that the Lord has more to do by me than I ever dreamed of. If He has looked upon me, He has made me strong. Let me by faith exercise the power with which He has entrusted me. He never bids me “idle away my time in this my might.” Far from it. I must “go,” because He strengthens me. What a question is that which the Lord puts to me, even as He put it to Gideon! “Have not I sent thee?” Yes, Lord, thou hast sent me, and I will go in thy strength. At thy command I go; and, going, I am assured that thou wilt conquer by me. (Spurgeon, C. Faith's Checkbook)

GO IN THIS YOUR STRENGTH AND DELIVER ISRAEL FROM THE HAND OF MIDIAN: (Jdg 4:6; Joshua 1:5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 1Samuel 12:11; 1 Chronicles 14:9,10; Hebrews 11:32,34)

He is not saying "Gideon, gird yourself up like a man...you can do it." Relying on his own strength made Gideon hide in a winepress. "This is your strength" is the strength that God has given by His promise of His presence (Jdg 6:12, 16, cp Php 4:13-note). God's answer to discouragement is NOT positive thinking but rather the promise of His presence. (cp Mt 28:18, 19, 20).

Hudson Taylor emphasized that...

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Judges 6:14
F B Meyer
Our Daily Homily

And the Lord looked upon him and said, Go in this thy might.

The strength-giving power of a look from the eyes of Christ! Gideon was weak enough. He said, quite naturally, “My family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15, r.v.). But from the moment of that look, accompanied by that summons, he arose in a strength that never afterwards faltered. How truly “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

It was a look of expectation. — Gideon felt that the angel expected him to save Israel. It is a great matter to excite hope in a man. Tell him that you are anticipating some noble deed from him, and you may light a spark that will set his whole soul aglow. It is of immense importance to stir the timid and retiring with fresh conceptions of the possibilities of their lives.

It was a look of encouragement. — Those gentle, loving eyes said, as though they spoke, “I will be with thee; do not hesitate to look for Me in every hour of need.” Such looks Christ still gives us across the battlefields of life; and if our eyes are fixed upon Him, we shall surely hear Him saying to us, “My grace is sufficient for thee: go in this thy might!”

AND HE SAID TO HIM, "O LORD, HOW SHALL I DELIVER ISRAEL: (Exodus 3:11; 4:10; Jeremiah 1:6; Luke 1:34)

Gideon looked to his own ability ("how shall [I] deliver?").

A sense of our own inadequacy for God's Work is not a bad thing. Who among us when called to serve the LORD in any capacity has not like Gideon felt unworthy and unqualified? Charles Haddon Spurgeon at age 19 was called to pastor Park Street Church in London, but was convinced a mistake had been made and that the invitation was intended for another man of the same name. But understanding that his strength came from the LORD, he accepted and eventually became one of modern history's most prolific and influential preachers. God is calling leaders today just as He always has. The question is will those He calls respond to this call in dependence on God Himself for their strength? It has often been said that “God’s commandments are God’s enablements.”

Once God has called and commissioned us, all we have to do is obey Him by faith, and He will do the rest. God cannot lie and God never fails. Faith means obeying God in spite of what we see, how we feel, or what the consequences might be. Our modern “practical” world laughs at faith without realizing that people live by faith all day long.

Once God has revealed His will to us, we must never question His wisdom or argue with His plans. “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” (Ro11:34, NIV; Isa40:13, 1Co2:16) “Can you search out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7, NKJV)

A. W. Tozer wrote,

“All God’s acts are done in perfect wisdom, first for His own glory, and then for the highest good of the greatest number for the longest time.”

That being true, who are we to question Him?

When you review God’s gracious promises to Gideon, you wonder why this young man wavered in his faith. God promised to be with him. God called him a “mighty man of valor” and promised that he would save Israel from the Midianites and smite them “as one man.” God’s Word is “the word of faith” (Ro10:8), and “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Ro10:17). But Gideon didn’t receive that Word and needed assurance beyond the character of Almighty God.

BEHOLD, MY FAMILY IS THE LEAST IN MANASSEH: (Exodus 18:21-25; 1Samuel 9:21; 18:23; Micah 5:2) (the least - Genesis 32:10; Jeremiah 50:45; 1Corinthians 15:9; Ephesians 3:8)

Gideon seemed to think that God could do nothing because he and his family were nothing. However his family being "Least in Manasseh" may not be completely true as his father Joash seems to have been a fairly important man (he had a huge altar to Baal) and the family was certainly not poor (Gideon had 10 servants! Jdg 6:27).

What Gideon does seem to be saying is that he had a overriding sense of his own inadequacy, which is not a bad place to be ("our adequacy is from God" 2Co 3:5, 6, "when we are weak then we are strong" 2Cor 12:9-note, 2Co 12:10-note). Inadequate in ourselves, overwhelmingly adequate in and through our God -- that is the lesson of Gideon's life. What we most need is not self-confidence, but God (Christ) -confidence! It is worth noting that most often the choice by God as His "vessel of honor" is one who appears to be the least. Jehovah even had to remind Samuel declaring...

"to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Sa 16:7)

AND I AM THE YOUNGEST IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE:

Our problem today, friend, is that most of us are too strong for God to use. Most of us are too capable for God to use. You notice that God uses only weak men, don’t you? [1Co 1:26,27, 28,29] God wants weak vessels, and that is the only kind he will use. God follows this policy so that no flesh will glory in His presence. God always does that, beloved. The interesting thing is that Nero was on the throne while Paul was being beheaded. At first glance, it looked like Paul had lost and Nero had won. But history had already handed down its decision. Men name their sons Paul and call their dogs Nero. This is quite interesting, is it not? God is choosing the weak things of this world.

Gideon’s negative response to the Lord’s words indicates his lack of faith and spiritual perception. Here was Almighty God telling him that He was with him and would make him a conqueror, and Gideon replied by denying everything God said! God would have to spend time with Gideon turning his question marks into exclamation points. Gideon was living by sight, not by faith, and had he remained that way he would never have been named among the heroes of faith in Heb 11:32

LEADING
The Most Frequently Used
Excuses For Not Leading

Some people approached about leading may offer excuses for why they can’t do it. Perhaps you’ve heard some of the following

• “I’m not qualified.” (Ex 3:11)
• “I’m an unknown.” (Jdg 6:15)
• “I can’t speak well.” (Ex 4:10, Jer 1:6a)
• “I’m not credible.” (Ex 4:1)
• “I’m too young.” (Jer 1:6b)
• “I don’t want to.” (Jonah 1:3)
• “I’m too scared.” (Mt 14:30)
• “It’s too risky.” (Esther 4:11)
• “I’m too tired.” (1Ki 19:4)

What is God’s response to these excuses?

“My power is made perfect in weakness” (2Co12:9- note)

BUT THE LORD SAID TO HIM SURELY I WILL BE WITH YOU AND YOU SHALL DEFEAT MIDIAN: (Jdg 6:12; Ex 3:12; Joshua 1:5; Isa 41:10,14, 15, 16; Mt 28:20; Mk 16:20; Acts 11:21)

SO GIDEON SAID TO HIM, IF NOW I HAVE FOUND FAVOR IN THY SIGHT THEN SHOW ME A SIGN THAT IT IS THOU WHO SPEAKEST WITH ME: (Ex 33:13,16) (Jdg 6:36, 37, 38, 39, 40; Genesis 15:8-17; Ex 4:1-9; 2Ki 20:8, 9, 10, 11; Ps 86:17; Is 7:11)

Found favor in Thy sight = a Hebrew idiom which means to be an object of another's favorable disposition or action or to be a recipient of another's favor or kindness. The favor shown may be deserved or at least prompted by the object's character or actions as was Boaz's kindness bestowed upon Ruth in return for her kindness to her mother-in-law had prompted him to reach out to Ruth and meet her needs (Ru 2:10, 11, 12-note).

Sign ('ot) usually refers to an event, object, or person that has special significance. It is used most often to describe awe-inspiring events: God’s work to bring the Hebrew people out of Egypt (Ex. 4:8) Gideon asks for a tangible guarantee of the Lord's identity. Such guarantees sometimes, though not always involved a miraculous deed (Ex 4:8, 9; Is 38:7) as in the present case when the Angel miraculously caused Gideon's offering to go up in smoke (Jdg 6:20, 21).

Like Moses (Ex 33), Gideon desired a sign; in both incidents revelation was so rare and wickedness so prevalent that they desired full assurance. God graciously gave it.

Richards...

PLEASE DO NOT DEPART FROM HERE UNTIL I COME BACK TO THEE, AND BRING OUT MY OFFERING AND LAY IT BEFORE THEE: (Jdg 13:15; Genesis 18:3,5; 19:3)

Offering (minchah) could refer to a freewill offering in Israel’s sacrificial system, or it could refer to tribute offered as a present to a king or other superior (cf. 3:15). It can refer to a gift offered as a sign of goodwill or submission (Gen. 33:10; 43:11, 15, 25, 26) where the gift is presented to appease someone whom the offerer has offended. In the present case we cannot state for certain his motivation, although it certainly is reasonable to see it as an act of worship.

LXE And Gedeon went in, and prepared a kid of the goats, and an ephah of fine flour unleavened; and he put the flesh in the basket, and poured the broth into the pot, and brought them forth to him under the terebinth tree, and drew nigh.

THEN GIDEON WENT IN AND PREPARED A KID AND UNLEAVENED BREAD FROM AN EPHAH OF FLOUR (Jdg 13:15, 16, 17, 18, 19; Genesis 18:6, 7, 8) -- keep in mind that this is a time of general scarcity of food bc of the Midianite raiders. So what Gideon prepares here is essentially a feast, cooking an entire kid and using about 35# of flour to prepare the bread. And it obviously didn't come to fruition instantly like a Big Mac.

Larry Richards...

WHEN GIDEON SAW THAT HE WAS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD: (perceived - Jdg 13:21)

Instantly Gideon was conscious of his sin and guilt and he cried out in fear. But God had not come to judge him but to deliver His people through Gideon.

HE SAID, "ALAS, O LORD GOD!

The sudden appearance of the fire and disappearance of the visitor convinced Gideon that indeed he had seen God and spoken to Him, and this frightened him even more. Since the Jews believed it was fatal for sinful man to look upon God, Gideon was sure he would die. The human heart is indeed deceitful: Gideon asked to see a sign, and after seeing it, he was sure that the God who gave him the sign would now kill him! There is always “joy and peace in believing” (Ro15:13), but unbelief brings fear and worry.

FOR NOW I HAVE SEEN THE ANGEL OF THE LORD  FACE TO FACE: (Jdg 13:22,23; Genesis 16:13; 32:30; Exodus 33:20; Deuteronomy 5:5,24,26; Isaiah 6:5-8; John 1:18; 12:41)

In the realization of the presence of God, the sensitive sinner is conscious of great guilt. Fire from God further filled Gideon with awe and even the fear of death. When he saw the Lord, he knew the Lord had also seen him in his fallenness. Thus he feared the death that sinners should die before Holy God. But God graciously promised life (v23). For a similar reaction to the presence of God, see Manoah in [13:22, 23] (cf. Eze1:26-28; Isa6:1–9; Rev1:17).

God told Moses,

“No one may see Me and live” (Ex. 33:20).

AND THE LORD SAID TO HIM "PEACE TO YOU, DO NOT FEAR; YOU SHALL NOT DIE: (Genesis 32:30; 43:23; Psalms 85:8; Daniel 10:19; John 14:27; 20:19,26; Romans 1:7)

Related Resource: Fear, How to Handle It

God had to give Gideon a message of peace to prepare him for fighting a war. Unless we’re at peace with God, we can’t face the enemy with confidence and fight the Lord’s battles.

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm.
Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

But God

I know not, but God knows;
Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All my unfolding days
To Him are plain and clear.
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?"
From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought:
I know not, but He knows.

I cannot, but God can;
Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop
His hand will lift and bear.
Though eagle pinions tire,
I walk where once I ran,
This is my strength to know
I cannot, but He can.

I see not, but God sees;
Oh, all sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way
To Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes
May close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep;
I see not, but He sees.
           -Annie Johnson Flint

THEN GIDEON BUILT AN ALTAR THERE TO THE LORD AND NAMED IT THE LORD is Peace (Jehovah Shalom): (Jdg 21:4; Genesis 33:20; Joshua 22:10,26, 27, 28 )

Jehovah Shalom signifies that the Lord is peaceful, friendly or well-disposed toward Gideon. Gideon is able to confidently name the altar this because the Lord had just said shalom or "peace," to him prior to assuring him that he need not fear and that his life would be spared. The Hebrew word for “peace” (shalom click here) means much more than a cessation of hostilities but carries with it the ideas of well-being, health, and prosperity. Gideon now believed the Lord was able to use him, not because of who he was but because of who God was.

Wherever Abraham journeyed, he built an altar (Gen. 12:7, 8; 13:4, 18; 22:9); and Joshua left many monuments of Israel’s march of Conquest through the land. It was customary for the Jews to identify special events and places by putting up monuments, so Gideon built an altar and called it “The Lord is peace.”

Whenever God calls us to a task that we think is beyond us, we must be careful to look to our OMNIPOTENT God (we must know His attributes to experience them in our lives Da 11:32, 2Pet 1:2-note) and not to ourselves. “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” God asked Abraham (Ge18:14); and the answer comes, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Lk 1:37ASV). Job discovered that God could do everything (Job 42:2), and Jeremiah admitted that there was nothing too hard for God (Jer 32:17). Jesus told His disciples, “With God all things are possible” (Mt 19:26); and Paul testified, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Php 4:13-note).

Wiersbe concludes that for a man with a worried heart,

“The-Lord-Is-Peace” was just what he needed (Jdg 6:24). You can enjoy God’s peace today as you fight the battle (Php 4:4, 5-note, Php 4:6-note, Php 4:7-note, Php 4:8, 9-note).(Wiersbe, W. W. Be Available. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books)

Sidlow Baxter comments...

NOW THE SAME NIGHT IT CAME ABOUT THAT THE LORD SAID TO HIM:

God had sought a sign from God but now God seeks a sign from Gideon.

TAKE YOUR FATHER'S BULL AND A SECOND BULL SEVEN YEARS OLD:

to destroy this shrine Gideon is told to employ a bull, the sacred animal of the fertility cult. Before God gives His servants great victories in public, He sometimes prepares them by giving them smaller victories at home. Before David killed the giant Goliath in the sight of two armies, he learned to trust God by killing a lion and a bear in the field where nobody saw it but God (1 Sam. 17:32–37). When we prove that we’re faithful with a few things, God will trust us with greater things (Matt. 25:21).

AND PULL DOWN THE ALTAR OF BAAL WHICH BELONGS TO YOUR FATHER: (Genesis 35:2; Job 22:23; Psalms 101:2 )

a pagan altar unearthed at Megiddo not far from Ophrah was 26' square & 4.5' high made with stones cemented by mud. Joash's altar was likely of similar size esp since 2 bulls (and 10 men) were conscripted to carry out the desolation.

Wiersbe notes that...

It is one thing to meet God in the secrecy of a winepress, but quite another thing to stand up for the Lord in public. That very night God tested Gideon’s dedication by asking him to tear down his father’s idolatrous altar to Baal, and to build an altar to Jehovah. More than this, he was to sacrifice his father’s special bullock (probably reserved for Baal) on the new altar. Christian testimony has to begin at home...God will never use a “secret saint” to win great battles. We must come out in the open and take our stand, regardless of the cost. (Wiersbe, W. W. Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

AND CUT DOWN ('gada = hew down...Asherim = root word for Gideon!) THE ASHERAH THAT IS BESIDE IT: (1Kings 18:21; Matthew 6:24; 2Corinthians 6:15, 16, 17)

Asherah (Hebrew = Asherah)  signifies the Canaanite fertility goddess believed to be the consort of Baal, thus the worship of Baal and Asherah was often linked together. Asherah most often refers to a carved wooden image of the goddess instead of the proper name. These carved images were frequently associated with high places and fresh  trees. The Asherah pole symbolized the fertility supposedly provided by the goddess Asherah, who was viewed as the mother of the gods.

Sidlow Baxter comments...

AND BUILD AN ALTAR TO (Hebrew prep conveys the idea of direction) THE LORD YOUR GOD ON THE TOP OF THIS STRONGHOLD (refuge, place of safety & protection!) IN AN ORDERLY MANNER: (2Samuel 24:18 ) (1Corinthians 14:33,40)

Gideon had to first put things right in his own backyard before God would use him to deliver Israel.

AND TAKE A SECOND BULL AND OFFER A BURNT OFFERING WITH THE WOOD OF THE ASHERAH WHICH YOU SHALL CUT DOWN:

It is interesting that the Midianite oppression had lasted 7 years and the bull to be sacrificed up in smoke to God was 7 years old.

What's the lesson for us today?

HE WAS TOO AFRAID OF HIS FATHER'S HOUSEHOLD AND THE MEN OF THE CITY TO DO IT BY DAY THAT HE DID IT BY NIGHT: (Related Resource: How to Handle Fear - 4 Part Study) (Deuteronomy 4:1; Matthew 16:24; John 2:5; 15:14; Galatians 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:4) (Psalms 112:5; John 3:2)

Warren Wiersbe summarizes Gideon interaction with God commenting that

He was an unlikely candidate for God’s “Hall of Fame” (Heb 11:32). When God called him, he was hiding. When God spoke to him, he raised problems instead of trusting promises. One of his favorite words was "If" (Jdg 6:13, 17, 36). When Gideon did start to obey God, he worked at night (Jdg 6:27) and had to have repeated reassurance that the Lord was with him. But God saw the potential in Gideon and even called him a “mighty man of valor” (Jdg 6:12). God sees the potential in you and says to you as He did to Simon, “You are . . . You shall be” (John 1:42). He knows your weaknesses and will accommodate Himself to your needs so that He might develop your faith. For a man with a worried heart, “The-Lord-Is-Peace” was just what he needed (v24). You can enjoy God’s peace today as you fight the battle (Phil. 4:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). (Wiersbe, W: With the Word: Chapter-by-Chapter Bible Handbook. Nelson or Logos)

“Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NKJV)

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid” (Isa. 12:2, NKJV).

After all the encouragements God had given Gideon, his faith should have been strong. BUT...before we judge him, we’d better look at ourselves and see how much we trust the Lord.

The point is this that FAITH is not demonstrated by fearlessness but by obedience! (cp 1Co2:3-4). So if you obey God and sometimes feel fearful and weak, you are not necessarily expressing disbelief and in fact you are in good company with Gideon and Paul. Very real human fear and wise precaution interplays with trust in an all-sufficient God.

MacDonald adds that...

WHEN THE MEN OF THE CITY AROSE EARLY IN THE MORNING:

Why this detail? Could it be that it was as one Scottish preacher said

"The worshipers of Baal never neglected their morning devotions."

BEHOLD, THE ALTAR OF BAAL WAS TORN DOWN, AND THE ASHERAH WHICH WAS BESIDE IT WAS CUT DOWN AND THE SECOND BULL WAS OFFERED ON THE ALTAR WHICH HAD BEEN BUILT:

Torn down (natas) means to tear down or to destroy. The idea is the breaking down of a structure so that it can no longer support its own weight. Most often the word signified the destruction of idolatrous religious structures such as the altars that Israel was commanded to tear down on entering the Promised Land. Gideon had obeyed God's command, but sadly his fellow townspeople had become worshipers of Baal and were ready to kill him for his allegiance to the Lord.

Cut down (karat) means literally to cut something down or off.

THEN THE MEN OF THE CITY SAID TO JOASH, "BRING OUT YOUR SON, THAT HE MAY DIE: (Jeremiah 26:11; 50:38; John 16:2; Acts 26:9; Philippians 3:6)

So deep was their commitment to idolatry that these men were eager to kill the one who destroyed the altar of Baal. (According to God’s law, it was the idol-worshipers who should have been slain! Dt13:6-9.) Gideon was no doubt wondering what would happen to him, but God proved Himself well able to handle the situation.

FOR HE HAS TORN DOWN THE ALTAR OF BAAL AND INDEED, HE HAS CUT DOWN THE ASHERAH WHICH WAS BESIDE IT:

BUT JOASH SAID TO ALL WHO STOOD AGAINST HIM:

Joash, Gideon’s father, had every reason to be angry with his son. Gideon had smashed his father’s altar to Baal and replaced it with an altar to Jehovah. He had sacrificed his father’s prize bull to the Lord and had used the sacred Asherah pole for fuel. (Isa 44:13-20.) But God so worked in Joash’s heart that he defended Gideon before the town mob and even insulted Baal! “What kind of a god is Baal that he can’t even defend himself?” asked Joash. (Elijah would take a similar approach years later. 1Ki18:27.) “What kind of a god is Baal that he can’t even plead his own cause?” Joash asked. Because of this, the men of the town gave Gideon the nickname “Jerubbaal,” which means “let Baal contend” or “Baal’s antagonist.”

WILL YOU CONTEND FOR BAAL, OR WILL YOU DELIVER HIM? WHOEVER WILL PLEAD FOR HIM SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH BY MORNING: (Exodus 23:2; Numbers 14:6; Ephesians 5:11)

TSK Note - The words are very emphatic: "Will ye plead in earnest (tereevoon) for Baal? Will ye really save (tosheeoon) him? If he be God, (Elohim,) let him contend for himself, seeing his altar is thrown down."

Joash's incredible transformation must have been stirred by his youngest son's act of loyal devotion to the most High God. So he defended Gideon in a striking way: "Listen, what you are doing in blasphemy. If Baal really is god, he does not need you to defend him. If he cannot defend himself, he is not worthy of worship. If he is really god, Gideon will be struck dead." It was a basic lesson in Baal theology. So here the one Gideon most feared (Joash) had become his greatest ally. How often it is true that our obedience to the Lord Jesus can do great things in the lives of the most unexpected people. People whose reactions we fear are often the first to respond when they see the reality of our commitment to Jesus Christ.

IF HE IS A GOD LET HIM CONTEND FOR HIMSELF BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TORN DOWN (same word Judges 8:17) HIS ALTAR: (Deuteronomy 13:5-18; 17:2-7; 1 Kings 18:40) (1Kings 18:27,29; Psalms 115:4, 5, 6, 7; Isaiah 41:23; 46:1,7; Jeremiah 10:5,11; 1 Corinthians 8:4)

THEREFORE ON THAT DAY HE NAMED HIM JERUB-BAAL (Let Baal contend): (1Samuel 12:11; 2Samuel 11:21)

Jerub-Baal (yerubbaaal) combines a verb with its subject, Baal but the meaning is not clear although given the following explanation it appears to mean "let Baal contend." This name is used as Gideon's name in list of judges in (1Sa 12:11). And so Gideon's new name was a constant reminder to all those around him of God's power and Baal's weakness. So now every time they saw Gideon, they were reminded of the power of God and the weakness of Baal!

THAT IS TO SAY LET BAAL CONTEND AGAINST HIM :

Often the unbelieving world gives demeaning nicknames to faithful servants of God. D. L. Moody was known as “Crazy Moody” when he was building his famous Sunday School in Chicago, but nobody would call him that today; and Charles Spurgeon was frequently lampooned and caricatured in the British press. If we are given nicknames because we honor the name of Jesus, then let’s wear them like medals and keep on glorifying Him!

Gideon learned a valuable lesson that day: If he obeyed the Lord, even with fear in his heart, the Lord would protect him and receive the glory. Gideon needed to remember this as he mustered his army and prepared to attack the enemy.

BECAUSE HE HAD TORN DOWN HIS ALTAR:

Gary Inrig writes

THEN: Gideon's passing of the Baal test would be a short-lived success, as now an even "bigger" enemy arrives -- the Midainites in town for their 8th annual "all you can eat" in Israel buffet...which would turn out to be their last! Until we demolish the "Baals" in our life, God will not use us to fight the "Midianites".

ALL THE MIDIANITES AND THE AMALEKITES AND THE SONS OF THE EAST ASSEMBLED THEMSELVES: (Psalms 3:1; 27:2,3; 118:10-12; Isaiah 8:9,10; Romans 8:35-39) (Jdg 6:3; 8:10,11; 1 Chronicles 5:19; Job 1:3)

Trouble often follows triumph...here in the form of the 8th annual invasion of Israel by Midian, et al.

AND THEY CROSSED OVER AND CAMPED IN THE VALLEY OF JEZREEL: (Jdg 7:24; Joshua 3:16) (Joshua 17:16; 19:18; 1 Kings 18:45; 21:1)

This valley is in the eastern part of the plain of Megiddo ("place of troops"), an historic battleground in the heart of Palestine and probably not far from the Lord's great victory with Deborah, Jael and Barak over Sisera's 900 iron chariots.

SO THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON GIDEON: (Jdg 3:10; 13:25; 14:19; 15:14; 1 Samuel 10:6; 11:6; 16:14; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 24:20; Psalms 51:11; 1 Corinthians 12:8, 9, 10, 11 )

Here both the Hebrew & Greek state that the Spirit literally "clothed" Gideon. or "The Spirit of Yahweh dressed or clothed (Himself) with Gideon." The human agent became the outer appearance through which the Spirit worked. [1Chr 12:18; see esp the priest Zechariah's boldness upon being clothed by the Spirit & his subsequent martyrdom in 2Chr 24:20]. The Spirit emboldened Gideon to gather followers for his God-given task. God is always as concerned with followers as with leaders. Each role is necessary and important for God. Whom God calls to His work He will qualify and animate for it.

Came upon (labash) which literally means "clothed," (cp Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27) is normally used of garments and in this figurative use pictures the Lord's Spirit enveloping Gideon and energizing him for action. Labash is used in Ge 28:20 to describe a man putting on clothes or in Isaiah 59:17 to describe a warrior putting on a suit of armor. The Holy Spirit wore Gideon the way a man puts on a suit of clothes! It is a vivid way to say that the Holy Spirit took possession of Gideon.

Sidlow Baxter comments...

Finally, Gideon became controlled, by which we mean that he became controlled by the Spirit of God. See verse 34, "The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and Abi-ezer was gathered after him." He became at once a leader and a saviour of his people. The people recognised the transforming power of God in him, and flocked to him when he sounded his clarion. The story which follows in the Scripture account tells of Gideon's marvellous victory over Midian, and his freeing of Israel from the alien yoke.

What a transformation had now taken place in Gideon! The man who had first been converted and had then become consecrated had now become controlled by the Holy Spirit. That thirty-fourth verse is noteworthy. A near translation would be: "The Spirit of Jehovah clothed Himself with Gideon." Gideon's personality became, so to speak, a garment in which God moved among men. What a sermon, then, is this man to us! Like Abel, "he being dead, yet speaketh." This soul-saving, life-changing, character-transforming experience through which he passed may be known by ourselves - not in its outward accidentals, of course, but in its inward essentials. We may become truly converted to God, truly consecrated to His will, and really controlled by the Holy Spirit. And we may be taken up and used by God as definitely as Gideon was. Converted, consecrated, Spirit-controlled-God grant that it may be true of ourselves! We must get our eyes away from doubt-provoking circumstances, and fix them on the word of God Himself. "Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it" (J. Sidlow Baxter. Explore the Book)

A seminary professor tells his students

"In the morning I often pray, 'Lord, here I am. I want to be Your suit of clothes today. I want You to take me and use me, Lord, just walk around in me today.'"

The Midianites and their allies made their annual invasion about that time as more than 135,000 men (8:10; 7:12) moved into the Valley of Jezreel. It was time for Gideon to act, and the Spirit of God gave him the wisdom and power that he needed. (See Jdg3:10; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6, 19; 15:14.) As we seek to do God’s will, His Word to us is always, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit” (Zec4:6).

When a group of British pastors was discussing the advisability of inviting evangelist D. L. Moody to their city for a crusade, one man asked,

“Why must it be Moody? Does D. L. Moody have a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?”

Quietly one of the other pastors replied,

“No, but it’s evident that the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on D. L. Moody.”

AND HE BLEW A TRUMPET: (Jdg 3:27; Numbers 10:3 )

This is very interesting because before the Spirit "clothed" Gideon he was fearful but now seems filled with boldness & courage. However go to the next phase of his spiritual progress (Judges 6:36-40).

AND THE ABIEZRITES WERE CALLED TOGETHER TO FOLLOW HIM: (Jdg 6:11; 8:2; Joshua 17:2)

AND HE SENT MESSENGERS TO ASHER, ZEBULUN, AND NAPHTALI AND THEY CAME UP TO MEET THEM: (2Chronicles 30:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

The Living Bible although a paraphrase does pick up on the thrust of these passages

 Then Gideon said to God, "If you are really going to use me to save Israel as you promised, 37 prove it to me in this way: I'll put some wool on the threshing floor tonight, and if, in the morning, the fleece is wet and the ground is dry, I will know you are going to help me!

THEN GIDEON SAID TO GOD: (Jdg 6:14,17-20; Exodus 4:1-9; 2 Kings 20:9; Psalms 103:13,14; Matthew 16:1)

And because these 5 verses are here and not read with careful observation and discernment, they have become a watchword for many to determine God's will for their life "Well, just put out a fleece brother and the Lord will show you what to do." The idea is simple: You say to the Lord that you have 2 options. If You want me to follow plan A, then please do this by Tuesday. Then I will know that it is what you want me to do. If You do not do it, I will follow plan B."

It is worth noting that although the Holy Spirit had come so powerfully upon Gideon, he was still very weak in faith and clearly daunted by the prospect before him. Who would not be? This is a reminder to us that grace does not delete or destroy nature. When God comes into our lives He takes the temperament which He has created and begins to refine and empower it.  God wants to maximize our effectiveness and deal with our weaknesses, but it is often His way to keep us conscious of the fact that those weaknesses do exist, so that we depend on Him and not on ourselves. He knows how readily we lean on our own imagined resources and think that we can cope without total dependence on Him.

IF THOU WILT DELIVER ISRAEL THROUGH ME (Lit.= by my hand) AS THOU HAST SPOKEN:

Gideon was not the only one who asked for "signs" that God would complete the work He promised He would carry out. (eg, Moses [Ex 4:1-9] Hezekiah [2 Ki 20:9].) And in this example of Gideon's lack of trust in God's sure word, we see the infinite compassion of our Father for He knows our frame, He knows the beginning from the end and He meets us where we are [Ps 103:13,14 - Spurgeon's comment on v13 ; Spurgeon's comment v14] We all exhibit this Gideon-like tendency from time to time, some more than others for our spirits may be willing to believe Him but our flesh is weak.

BEHOLD I WILL PUT A FLEECE OF WOOL ON THE THRESHING FLOOR: (Related Resources: Judges 6:37: Gideon's Fleece by Alexander Maclaren and Fleeces and the Will of God by Kay Arthur) (Deuteronomy 32:2; Psalms 72:6; Hosea 6:3,4; 14:5)

It is very important to observe that Gideon was not seeking to learn God's will, because that had already been clearly revealed to him (in verses 14,16). He put out the fleece to strengthen the weakness of his own faith. Gideon doubted God’s promise, His steadfast, sure Word. Gideon's doubts might have included thoughts like: "Does God really want me to lead the Jewish army?" "What do I know about warfare?" So, before he led the attack, Gideon asked God for more signs.

Put out a fleece is often used by Christians to refer to asking God to do something special to verify His will. Paradoxically, instead of being an act of faith, such a practice is evidence of unbelief. Yes, God condescended to speak to Gideon’s weakness and He did what Gideon requested. By way of application, God may do that for you; but this is not the level on which God wants to meet and interact with you. Immature faith needs signs for reassurance. A mature believes God's Word and obeys. Have you ever put a fleece out?

Note that these arguments against "putting out a fleece" do not mean to imply that God is not able to work through circumstances to confirm His revealed will, for indeed He is. We need to be careful that we are not using "circumstances" like Gideon did to test God, especially when we know exactly what God's will is from His Word. I cannot speak for you, but beloved my problem is in obeying what He has told me to do.

IF THERE IS DEW ON THE FLEECE ONLY AND IT IS DRY ON ALL THE GROUND THEN I WILL KNOW THAT THOU WILT DELIVER ISRAEL THROUGH ME AS THOU HAST SPOKEN:  (Psalms 147:19,20; Matthew 10:5,6; 15:24)

Gideon already knew God's will but he sought another sign to confirm it. His "faith" seems to have been eclipsed by fear. Requests for signs are often the product of unbelief (Mt 12:38,39, 1Cor 1:22,23, cp Jn 20:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 4:48, Zacharias Lk 1:18,20). See [Mt 16:1] where the Pharisees asking for signs was equated with "testing" Jesus (and we are not to test the Lord [Mt 4:7, 1Cor 10:9]).

Gideon was actually putting God "in a box", telling God what to do; i.e., what conditions had to be met before he would obey His previous orders. Gideon broke his promise to God after refusing to believe after the first sign and requesting a second. God's response in granting his request does not imply God's approval but only demonstrates His understanding and compassion for the frailty of human nature so that He treats His servants with great patience. Consider Thomas example and Jesus reply (Jn 20:29). Only 2 things are required to fulfill God's will: listen to His voice as you read His Word and then follow His directions implicitly. Gideon was at last ready to obey. Are you?

It was a (probably "superstitious") practice in the ancient world to seek last-minute confirmation of divine support before a battle was joined (cf. ) [1 Ki 22:6-28] but Gideon had the perfect PROMISES of God (Judges 6:6:14, 16), the awesome revelation of His PRESENCE and the clear evidence of His POWER to deliver and protect against the adversary (Judges 6:26-32), so Gideon's call was a manifestation of his unbelief...it's somewhat analogous to the NT cry "Lord, I believe but help Thou my unbelief" (Mk 9:24). And in the final analysis of his "faithlessness" at this juncture of his life we see God place his name first in the prestigious list in He 11:32 (note)! Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom & knowledge of God! The entire episode of the fleece provides a study of God's forbearance and longsuffering. (Ro 2:4-note) It is certainly not meant to establish a pattern for others to follow. Gideon felt that he needed a fleece because he did not entirely believe the Word of God! The fact that the Lord complied with Gideon’s request does not sanctify the process. It merely evidences God’s condescending grace toward our persistent doubt.

Gideon’s fleece unveils a danger, the seriousness of which modern sign-seekers should be aware. While such elements in Christianity hold out the promise of a deeper spirituality through miraculous manifestations, a lack of spiritual maturity is actually being evidenced. Many who fall prey to these delusive promises find that they become so engrossed in looking for the signs that they become completely diverted from doing what God has called them to do. Spiritual maturity is seen, in its truest sense, when we are able to trust implicitly in the already fully verified witness of the Word spoken by Jehovah. God had said what He would do; it was Gideon’s duty to believe and obey.

Beware of seeking for signs of the supernatural rather than seeking the the Supernatural Savior Himself! Our flesh is weak and craves for signs be it the shroud of Turin, the "remnants of Noah's Ark", tales that the Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia, etc. We have Jesus' Spirit within us & His perfect word (Ps 19:7 - Spurgeon's note) and thus have all the riches of wisdom & knowledge we need (see note Colossians 2:3).. Let us not be deluded by persuasive arguments (see note Colossians 2:4).

HOW NOT TO
DISCERN GOD'S WILL

When John Wesley was 32yo he was a bachelor missionary in the colony of Georgia. While serving a church in Savannah, he met a young woman named Sophia Hopkey. Wesley fell in love with her, but he belonged to a group of idealistic young men in London called the "Holy Club" and one of their ideals was that members should remain single. So Wesley's dilemma was

"Was it the will of God for him to mary Sophie or not?"

To determine God's will he and a friend decided to draw from 3 lots on which were written either

"Marry", "Think not of it this year" or "Think of it no more."

His friend drew for Wesley & selected --

"Think of it no more."

Wesley was heartbroken but took it to be the will of God. He ended the courtship left America for England and wrote in his journal

"Snatched as a brand out of the fire!"

Shortly after returning to England Wesley came to saving faith in the Lord Jesus and began his evangelistic ministry.

During his travels he fell in love with another woman but this time tried a different approach to discern the will of God, listing 7 characteristics he desired in a wife, then evaluating the prospective wife by each & concluding

"Therefore all my 7 arguments against marriage are totally set aside. Nay, some of them seem to prove that I ought to marry and G.M. is the person."

Unfortunately John's brother Charles got wind and did not agree, so he went posthaste to G.M. and told her

"Grace Murray, you have broken my heart!"

Then he fainted at her feet. That shook GM so badly that she hastily married another man. Strike 2 for Wesley in regard to discerning the will of God. Finally, a year and one half later John Wesley did marry a wealthy widow, Mary Vazeille. We don't know his criteria for choosing her but we do know the result. He had a very unhappy marriage and 20 years later she left him, at which time he wrote:

"I have not left her; I would not send her away; I will not recall her."

THEN GIDEON SAID TO GOD, "DO NOT LET THINE ANGER BURN AGAINST ME: (Genesis 18:30, 32) (Psalms 107:33-35; Isaiah 35:6,7; 43:19,20; 50:2; Matthew 8:12; 21:43; Acts 13:46; 22:21; 28:28; Romans 11:12-22)

Literally "His nose became hot" so the KJV is closer to the literal Hebrew, a most expressive metaphor for the anger and one of the most obvious examples of the anthropomorphisms for God in the OT.

Twice Gideon reminded God of what He had said (Judges 6:36,37), and twice Gideon asked God to reaffirm His promises with a miracle. The fact that God stooped to Gideon’s weakness only proves that He’s a gracious God who understands how we’re made (Ps 103:14 - Spurgeon's note). Who are we to tell God what conditions He must meet, especially when He has already spoken to us in His Word? “Putting out the fleece” is not only an evidence of our unbelief, but it’s also an evidence of our pride. God has to do what I tell Him to do before I’ll do what He tells me to do!

Matthew Henry writes

AND GOD DID SO THAT NIGHT:

See how tender God is of true believers though they be weak, and how ready to condescend to their infirmities, that the bruised reed (Isa 42:3, Mt 12:20,21) may not be broken nor the smoking flax quenched.

God is the God of slow learners like Gideon and like you and me and we are all thankful for His longsuffering when I refuse to believe His clear Word in my life. Praise God that He is still the God of [Ex 34:6, 7].

Spurgeon had an interesting application of Judges 6:40 asking...