Who was Gideon in the Bible?

Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is one of the most intriguing and complex figures in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. His story, which spans Judges chapters 6 through 8, offers profound insights into faith, obedience, and the transformative power of God. Gideon’s narrative is a testament to how God can use seemingly insignificant individuals to achieve extraordinary feats.

Gideon’s story begins during a time of great turmoil for the Israelites. They had once again turned away from God, and as a result, they were oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and desperate. This period of oppression lasted seven years and was a direct consequence of Israel’s disobedience to God (Judges 6:1-6).

In their distress, the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help. God responded by sending a prophet to remind them of their disobedience and to call them back to faithfulness. It is in this context that we first encounter Gideon. He is introduced as a man from the tribe of Manasseh, working in a winepress to thresh wheat, an indication of the fear and oppression under which the Israelites lived (Judges 6:11).

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and greeted him with the words, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). This greeting is ironic because Gideon did not see himself as a mighty warrior. In fact, his immediate response was one of doubt and insecurity. He questioned the presence of God, citing the suffering of his people and expressing his own feelings of inadequacy: “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian” (Judges 6:13).

Despite his initial doubts, Gideon was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. The Lord assured him, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14). Gideon’s response was a mixture of humility and hesitation. He pointed out his lowly status: “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family” (Judges 6:15). God’s answer was simple yet profound: “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive” (Judges 6:16).

Gideon’s journey from doubt to faith is marked by several key events. First, he asked for a sign to confirm that it was indeed God speaking to him. He prepared an offering of meat and unleavened bread, which the Angel of the Lord touched with the tip of his staff, causing fire to consume the offering (Judges 6:17-21). This miraculous sign convinced Gideon that he was indeed in the presence of the Lord.

Following this, Gideon obeyed God’s command to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. In its place, he built an altar to the Lord and offered a sacrifice. This act of obedience, though done at night out of fear of his family and the townspeople, marked the beginning of Gideon’s transformation from a hesitant farmer to a courageous leader (Judges 6:25-27).

As Gideon’s faith grew, so did his boldness. When the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, he blew a trumpet, summoning the men of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to join him in the fight against the Midianites (Judges 6:34-35). Yet, even with this newfound courage, Gideon sought further confirmation from God. He famously laid out a fleece, asking God to make it wet with dew while keeping the ground dry, and then the reverse, to ensure that he was truly being called to lead Israel (Judges 6:36-40).

God’s patience with Gideon’s requests for confirmation highlights His understanding of human frailty and His willingness to bolster our faith. With the assurance he sought, Gideon proceeded to gather his army. However, God had another lesson for Gideon: the victory would come not through human strength but through divine power. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 men to just 300, lest Israel boast that their own strength had saved them. This reduction was accomplished through two tests: first, those who were fearful were allowed to leave, and second, those who drank water by lapping it like a dog were chosen (Judges 7:1-8).

With his small band of 300 men, Gideon executed a daring and unconventional attack. He divided his men into three companies, each equipped with a trumpet and an empty jar with a torch inside. At Gideon’s signal, they blew their trumpets, smashed the jars, and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” The sudden noise and lights threw the Midianite camp into chaos, causing them to turn on each other in confusion. The Israelites pursued the fleeing Midianites, securing a decisive victory (Judges 7:16-22).

Gideon’s triumph over the Midianites was not just a military victory; it was a spiritual one. It demonstrated God’s power and faithfulness, showing that deliverance comes from the Lord, not from human might. After the victory, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, but he refused, saying, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). This response underscores Gideon’s recognition of God’s sovereignty and his role as a servant leader.

However, Gideon’s story does not end on an entirely positive note. Despite his initial humility and reliance on God, he made a significant misstep. He asked the Israelites to give him gold earrings from their plunder, which he used to make an ephod. This ephod became a snare to Gideon and his family, leading the Israelites into idolatry once again (Judges 8:24-27). This episode serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of pride and the ease with which one can fall into sin, even after experiencing God’s deliverance.

Gideon’s life and legacy are multifaceted. He is celebrated in Hebrews 11:32 as one of the heroes of faith, a testament to his trust in God. His story encourages believers to step out in faith, trusting that God can use even the most unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of pride and the importance of remaining vigilant in one’s walk with God.

In summary, Gideon was a man of humble beginnings who, despite his initial doubts and insecurities, was used by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. His story is a powerful example of faith, obedience, and the transformative power of God. It reminds us that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that true victory comes not from human effort but from reliance on the Lord.