The book of Judges, chapter 6, introduces Gideon, one of the major judges of Israel, whose story illustrates themes of faith, doubt, and divine deliverance. This chapter is set during a time when the Israelites are oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God.

Summary

• Oppression by Midianites (verses 1-6): The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and as a result, He delivered them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites made shelters in mountains and caves. Whenever Israel planted crops, the Midianites would ruin the produce.
• The Prophet’s Message (verses 7-10): The Israelites cried out to the Lord because of Midian, and God sent a prophet to remind them of their deliverance from Egypt and their disobedience.
• Gideon’s Call (verses 11-24): The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, who was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The angel called him a mighty warrior and told him that he would save Israel from Midian. Gideon questioned his ability to save Israel due to his low status in his family. After a sign from the angel, Gideon realized he was speaking with the divine and built an altar to the Lord.
• Destruction of Baal’s Altar (verses 25-32): God instructed Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, and then build a proper altar to the Lord. Gideon did so at night because he feared his family and the townspeople. When the townspeople discovered what Gideon had done, they wanted to kill him, but Gideon’s father defended him, suggesting that Baal should defend himself.
• The Sign of the Fleece (verses 36-40): Gideon asked God for a sign to confirm His promise that he would save Israel through him. Gideon placed a fleece on the threshing floor; first, asking for dew only on the fleece and dry ground, then the opposite. God performed these signs, confirming His word to Gideon.

Life Applications

1. Facing Fear with Faith: Gideon was fearful and doubtful, yet God called him a mighty warrior. This teaches us that God sees potential in us that we might not see in ourselves. When faced with daunting tasks or opposition, faith can empower us to rise above our fears.
2. Obedience to God’s Commands: Despite his initial fear, Gideon obeyed God’s command to destroy the altar of Baal. This act of obedience, even in the face of potential backlash from his community, underscores the importance of prioritizing God’s will over societal pressures or personal safety.
3. Seeking Confirmation from God: Gideon’s request for a sign from God before going into battle shows that it is okay to seek confirmation from God when faced with difficult decisions. However, this should be balanced with faith in God’s word and recognition of His sovereignty.
4. God’s Patience with Doubts: The patience God showed towards Gideon’s doubts and fears is a reminder of His understanding and accommodating nature towards our human frailties. It encourages believers to approach God openly with their doubts and fears.
5. Divine Strength in Human Weakness: Gideon’s transformation from a man hiding from his enemies to a leader who would go on to deliver Israel illustrates that God often uses our weaknesses to display His strength and achieve His purposes.

The story of Gideon in Judges 6 teaches us about the power of faith, the importance of obedience to God, and the strength that comes from relying on God, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.