A Study of Gideon

It takes only three chapters: there are miracles, an amazing battle, the rise and fall of a hero, action and revenge, Judges 6,7,8.  In the book of Judges you can find all the men and women in charge of Israel before God appointed the first king, Saul.  Ooooops!  God did not appoint Saul.  The people wanted a ruler so bad that they insisted on him.  If you don't know how that turned out; well, let's just say God knows what He is doing.

The Hebrew name Gideon means "Warrior".  Gideon was marked with a purpose when he was born.   There is no evidence that Gideon had ever served as any kind of warrior until God called  him.

Read Verse 2 and then look up Isa 2:19, Jer 48:28 and 49:8  
I submit to you that these verses refer to Petra (Grk), also called Selah (Heb).  Both these names refer to a place next to Wadi Musa, "Valley of Moses" and offers supernatural protection.  A place where the Hebrew people wandered for 40 years. This place of red rock caves is invisible from the air and impenetrable from the ground.

Selah was the capitol of Edom.  Edomites descended from Esau, a red head.  The word "Selah" means lofty, craggy rock, stronghold, cliff.  "Selah" is also a pause in prose where one listens and God speaks.  (See Psalms)  God's word is a place of safety and rest.  *I will do a more indepth study of this in the future.

V 6:11 tells us that God manifested Himself.  (see V 14)  Gideon was threshing wheat to hide it from the Midianites, who were taking everything from the Hebrew people.  Gideon is also addressed, by God, as a "mighty warrior".  This is a positive statement from God to a man who is hiding from his enemies. 

V 12 & 13:  Gideon is talking frankly with what he believes is an angel and complains of all the troubles that have come upon his people.  Never mind that the Hebrew people have chosen to follow another god - or, rather, false gods of the Midianites.  

In V 14, Gideon is told to use the strength he has to go up against the Midianites.  God will not give him any super power.  He is expected to work on faith.

In V 15, good ol' Gideon argues with God, showing his weakness in faith.  In V 16, God tells Gideon all he needs is God in order to strike down ALL the Midianites like there were one man.  A strong statement to counter Gideon's weak argument.

V 17:  Now Gideon wants proof of God's word; a sign.  But, he is willing to make an offering to God, recognizing Him for who He is and showing gratitude and honor.  God tells Gideon He will wait - just as He waits for our gifts and offerings of faith.

In the few verses that follow, we see Gideon taking much time to prepare matzos and cook meat.  He is instructed on how to make this offering and watches as God consumes the offering with fire.  Ex.3:2, Nu 22:22, Ex 12:8
Then, Gideon built an alter to the Lord and called it "Jehovah Shalom" (God is Peace) because he had seen the Lord (pre-incarnate Jesus) face to face.  Guess Moses was not the only one.  Ex 24:11


Gideon goes on to tear down the alters and Asherah pole his father had made to Baal.  I recently viewed a short film about the Asherah pole and Baal worship.  Baal worshipers used to sacrifice young children to be burned alive.  Priests of Baal would publicly conjugate with women (representing the Goddess Asherah) then, the people would have public orgies.  Mass graves have been uncovered holding hundreds of carcasses of children.  No wonder God detested this idol worship.


In Judges:6:37 & 39, we find Gideon asking God for proof of a promise to make the Israelite army victors over the Midianites. In Judges 7:10 & 11, we find God offering yet another proof. This demonstrates the patience, understanding and grace of our Heavenly Father. We ask for something and God blesses with even more.

Great Battle Scene: Read in the book of Judges 7:2 & 8   Now see this amazing battle in Judges 7:19 - 23 WOW! This is better than an action adventure movie! Three hundred men surrounded an army that was so big it could not be counted (they were thick as locusts and camels were so many they could not be counted).

The three hundred shoulders were armed with shofars (trumpets made from ram's horns) and earthen pottery with a torch (light) inside. No swords, arrows or spears. They split into companies of 100 each and surrounded the Midianites. When Gideon gave the signal, 300 blew their trumpets and broke the pots. This would make one heck of a racket and shown a lot of bursting lights. Anyway, the Midianites (thick as locusts) were so confused that they turned on each other and ran off. Now, I would like to see this on the big screen: a multitude, action, camels stampeding, trumpets sounding, fireworks, confusion - great stuff!  Not one soldier of Gideon's was killed and the Midian army had to be chased down.


Amen