Who Was Gideon?

Gideon- A Man Who Was Weak But Made Strong

Overview

Gideon’s story begins in Judges chapters 6-8. Scripture states that Gideon was appointed by God to be a Judge of Israel. Authors Philip Comfort and Walter Elwell state, “Of the 12 judges of Israel, more verses are devoted to Gideon than any other, Samson running a close second.”  For background, Israel was oppressed by the Midianites. They cried out to the Lord to save them and give them relief from their enemies. In response to their cries, God appoints Gideon as a Judge and tells him to go against the Midianites.

Bible Scripture:

Judges chapters 6-8 recounts the story of Gideon

Famous For:

-Destroying the altar of Baal and the Asherah (Judges 6:28-34)

-Gideon’s Fleece- Gideon tests God (remember Deuteronomy 6:16) with the sign of the fleece. As author Stephen M. Miller says, “Gideon wanted proof since he was the low man on the totem pole, in the weakest clan among his tribe of Manasseh. At Gideon’s insistence, God made overnight dew fall on nothing but fleece left on a patch of ground. And the following night, God did the opposite-dew on the ground but not the fleece.” Gideon requested this from God in order to make sure that God was with him and would do what He said He would do.It is to be noted, “Just because Gideon did this does not mean we should.” (Travis Agnew Notes on Gideon)

-Reminder: Deuteronomy 6:16 reminds us: “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.”

-Gideon defeats the Midianite army with a small number of men.

Gideon’s characteristics

-Inadequate- He feared that his limitations would get in the way of God working. God, however, chose him to be a judge over Israel. God had a plan for the Israelites to free them from their oppression.

-He lacked courage even though God promised him success.

-Eventually he overcame his excuses

Reflective Questions:

What in Gideon’s story can you relate?

Have you ever lacked courage or felt inadequate about what God was calling you to do?

What can we learn from Gideon’s life that speaks to God’s faithfulness?

Resources:

 Courageous Faith: Life Lessons from Old Testament Heroes  by Ed Hindson

Twelve Unlikely Heroes: How God Commissioned Unexpected People in the Bible and What He Wants to Do with you  by John MacArthur

The Complete Book of Who’s Who in the Bibleby Philip Comfort and Walter Elwell