Judges

Judges 6:1-6

The land experienced rest for forty years under Deborah and as a result of the victory over the Canaanites.  The children of Israel that had first cried out to God in those days were replaced with a new generation.  This generation repeated the sins of their parents who cried out to God for the conditions of life, but failed to repent of the sins that brought those conditions.  The next generation of the children of Israel once again did evil in the sight of God.

As a direct result, the Lord God delivered them into the hands of Midian, a land settled by the descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham (Genesis 25:2).  Moses fled to Midian when he left Egypt; he married a daughter of a Midianite Priest (Exodus 3:1).  This land is southwest of Israel, East of the Sinai Peninsula, across the gulf of Aqaba.  For seven years, the Israelites survived by hiding.  They made dens for their families along with caves to store goods and supplies and strongholds for defense. 

When a nation shows itself weak then other beasts make their way toward easy prey.  The Midianites oppressed Israel and the Amalekites joined in.  They were a group of nomadic tribes wandering all over the Negev, Sinai and regions south of Israel.  The kings of the east are not identified, although we should consider the Moabites as a possibility.  The Midianites had previously joined with the Moabites to oppose Israel in hiring Balaam to curse Israel in Numbers 22:4-7.  These kings joined with the Amalekites and Midianites to raid and pillage Israel.  Once the ground was sown, they would make their way up and destroy the fruit of the land.  Think about it, when an army showed up and they ran to the mountain, they had all the grain as provision to war against them.  The Israelites had nothing against a well-fed army.  They took what they wanted of the grain and livestock.  The scripture likens these invaders to a swarm of locusts stripping the land and leaving it barren. 

The word 'impoverished' means left to languish.  The NLT suggests they were 'reduced to starvation.'  This went on for seven years.  We don't know when the Israelites thought it best to cry out to God, but they did. 

Judges 6:7-10

The children of God sought relief from Him from their oppression by the Midianites.  The Lord had delivered his children to the hands of the Midianites for the purpose of driving them back to Him.  The shame of it is that it took years and they had to be greatly impoverished before they ran to God.  We don't really know where in the timeline they cried out to God.  In response to their outcry, the Lord sent an unnamed prophet.

1. God brought them from Egypt
2. God brought them from bondage.
3. God delivered them from the hand of Egypt.
4. God delivered them from the hand of all oppressors.
5. God cleared the land and gave it to them

These points all serve to remind them of what Yahweh had done in their past.  None of God's work relied on the faithfulness and goodness of the people.  God reminded them that He told them to not fear these foreign gods, but they failed to obey Him.  For God's people to be oppressed and impoverished they had to fear men and their gods more than they feared the Lord.  Simple obedience and trust would keep them in His watch care.

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

⁴           Trust in the Lord forever,

For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

(NKJV; Isaiah 26:3-4; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Judges 6:11-12

The angel of the Lord was a representative, an envoy of their God; as such he was treated with the same respect, honor, worship and reverence.  All that was done for him was not for his glory but for the glory of God.  The reverence and praise went to Him.  We should also not dismiss the idea that this might well be an Old Testament appearance of Jesus.  Don't mistake Jesus as an angel; the meaning of angel is messenger.

Trees were often treated as sacred to mark special meetings or to mark events.  Here's two examples:

Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh.  (NKJV; Genesis 12:6; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. (NKJV; Genesis 18:1; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

The Lord sat under this tree that was at Ophrah making this tree memorable.  The tree belonged to Joash, a shortened version of Jehoash, meaning 'Yaweh is strong.'  While the Lord sat under the tree, Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress.  This was done to remain hidden from the Midianites.  A threshing floor was normally a large area out in the open so that the wind would blow away the chaff.  It was large enough to be used by the entire community to beat out the grain or tread it out with an ox.  In this case the threshing was being done in a winepress; a carved-out area of stone only large enough for maybe two people to work.  The threshing floor was a place of community and celebration of harvest.  There was none of that in these days. 

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, leading us to think maybe he wasn't visible to him at first, as He sat under the tree.  Gideon didn't look like a man who had the Lord with him.  He looked like a man that was fearful of those who impoverished them and was looking out for himself.  It may be that Gideon stood up a little taller being called a mighty man of valor, but it probably didn't take long for him to realize he wasn't living that way.  The 'mighty man of valor' designation could also refer to an upstanding man in the community.  However, it was a time where everyone was looking out for themselves.  There wasn't much community. 

Judges 6:13-15

Gideon's response was toward a man he saw as superior, an elder or authority.  He called Him adonai, which was a generic, and the appropriate term for this meeting.  Gideon did not know he was an Angel of the Lord.  He asked the same question many of us have asked at some point in our life:

If God is with us, why is all this happening to me? 

The follow-up question, which is just as popular; where are all the miracles we've heard so much about and studied in the bible?  Gideon was feeling like his generation had not gotten their fair share of miracles.  From Gideon's eyes, the Lord had forsaken them by delivering them to the Midianites. 

Notice verse fourteen, it now says, "the Lord turned" instead of the angel of the Lord.  I think its important to note that the Lord didn't answer all his questions.  Gideon was told to go, be that man that God would use for deliverance.  He was to be like Moses.  The Lord asked him, "Have I not sent you?"  This is not what Gideon had in mind.  Isn't this the way it is with us?  We want the Lord's deliverance, we want Him to move, but deep down we want it to look like our plan, our way.  We never mean that we should be put at risk; used by God to do mighty things.

Gideon's response was similar to Moses's response.  How is this possible?  He had no authority or standing within his clan to call out troops.  He had the least standing even in his how own family.  No, Gideon was sure, this messenger had the wrong guy.  

Judges 6:16-24

It almost seems like there are two individuals talking to Gideon; we can't distinguish between the Angel of the Lord and Yahweh.  We can account for this ambiguity if we call Him Jesus.  The Lord told Gideon He would be with him and he would defeat them.  The 'as one man' is a designation meaning in spite of his shortcomings, lack of authority, respect or anything else. 

Gideon asked for a sign, as though he were talking to a prophet of God.  The offering was a gift offering of good will, of hospitality and thanks to this man of God.  Gideon prepared a young goat.  The language supports the idea this was a meal and not a sacrifice.  He made unleavened bread; unleavened because it was rushed. This was, however, quite an offering for a poor and impoverished family.  Gideon brought it to Him under the tree where the Angel of the Lord instructed him what to do. 

When the Angel of the Lord touches his staff to the food it was consumed by fire.  At the same time, the Lord was no longer visible.  Gideon spoke to the Lord, understanding that He was in fact the Angel of the Lord.  Encountering the Lord face to face was believed to bring a person to death.  Gideon believes he is about to die. 

However, the conversation continued from the Lord, even though He was apparently invisible to him.  The Lord assured him he would not die and that he wasn't to be in fear.  Gideon wanted to worship the Lord there, so he built an altar.  The Lord spared Gideon's life so he named this to commemorate God's mercy.  Yahweh Shalom; God is peace.

Judges 6:25-27

It appears there were two bulls; a young bull and a mature bull.  The mature bull was probably a breeding animal, not many were needed to sustain a herd.  The young bull may have been an animal marked for sacrifice or a steer that was a work animal.  This work animal may have been along to help pull down the altars.  Gideon was instructed by the Lord to tear down his father's altar of Baal as well as cut down the wooden image beside it.  We see how widespread the apostasy is in the land.  Gideon had to deliver his family before he could deliver his people.  It was a test for timid and weak Gideon to offend his father and all those who used this altar.  In addition, there would be a certain amount of embarrassment when to his father. 

It's not clear what this temple of Baal was.  The worship and beliefs around Baal took many forms.  It was likely an altar of stacked stone as a place to burn incense.  The worshiper's believed Baal was the storm god, in charge of weather and seasonal cycles.  The 'wooden image' was an Asherah pole.  It isn't clear what form this pole took.  Asherah was a goddess of fertility, some of these were thought to be phallic symbols.  It's important to remember that Israel had not thrown off the worship of Yahweh.  No, they just stopped trusting Him for many things and looked to other gods and goddess to provide for their needs.  This is quite an offense to our God who calls Himself jealous for them.  Yahweh wanted all of them, all the time.  Besides the reality that there were no other gods, only demons; the Lord could provide all to them.  He desired to bless them, but they sought the blessing of demons.

After the destruction of the altar, he was then to build an altar to Yahweh in a specific manner.  Then he was to sacrifice the second bull as a burnt offering.  The Asherah would be the wood for the fire of God's sacrifice.  Gideon knew this would anger his father and the men of the city who apparently used the altar.  His fear of God was such that he sought to be obedient.  This is good.  However, his fear of those men was very real and prevalent.  He settled on doing this deed by the darkness of night rather than broad daylight.  The Lord had not instructed when this was to be done and did not rebuke Gideon. 

Judges 6:28-30

The implication is that the men came to the altar early in the morning.  This time had been set aside by God for the morning sacrifice, but these men made their way to the altar.  Again, we see the depth of the apostasy among God's people.  Imagine what they saw: the altar tumbled over.  There was probably a large flat stone base.  On it the Asherah was cut in pieces, burning with a large bull on the fire.  They immediately ask, "Who?"  It was no great mystery and they quickly discovered it was Gideon.  Joash was instructed by the mob to get his sone and bring him out to them so they could execute him.  Wow, this is incredible.  It shows how committed and consumed they were by the apostasy.  These false gods had hold on their life. 

Judges 6:31-32

Weighed against his son's life, Joash has a moment of clarity about this supposed god.  It may be that Joash saw the courage of his son following the Lord in obedience.  He took a stand against these men.  In doing so, he stood apart from Baal, which could almost be seen as an act of repentance.  He questioned the men, did Baal need saving?  Was Baal incapable of bring judgment?  It was this god's divine responsibility to defend himself, not the people.  If the people brought judgment, Joash assured them his clan would bring retribution on them. 

It may be that Joash took this position to protect his son, or it may be he already had doubts about Baal having any real power or authority.  It is interesting that his father named Gideon Jerubbaal.  The name means 'Baal will deal with you!'  However, Baal didn't deal with him, the name became a constant indictment against Baal.  Every day that Gideon lived and breathed, Baal was mocked as a powerless God that could not defend himself.    

The Lord was beginning a work in Gideon.  We see many times the Lord begins by giving someone a new name; one representative of the new work, the new heart God was putting in place. 

God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. (NKJV; Romans 4:17; 1982, Thomas Nelson)

Judges 6:33-35

It probably seemed like the timing of all this was horrible.  Joash may have seen the threat of these other nations on the heels of his son acting out as a bad turn of life.  But it was all God's divine timing.  The Midianites, Amalekites and people of the east all came together in one place.  The Jezreel valley was a fertile plain named after the town of Jezreel on the east end of the valley.  This valley was sometimes called Megiddo, later to be called Armageddon.  It was a natural staging area for battles.  Many battles had been fought here and more in the future.  Deborah and Barak's battle was fought here.  Saul would fight the Philistines here.  Josiah would face off with Pharaoh Necho here.  There is at least one more time a great army will be staged here.  It won't be much of a battle though. 

The Spirit of the Lord changed everything.  This timid and fearful soul picks the trumpet and blows it to gather an army.  He was no general.  He had never led anyone.  He had not authority or confidence that anyone would come when the trumpet was blown.  No one had any reason to follow him other than the Spirit of the Lord was upon him.  The Spirit on Gideon looked like courage and deliverance.  It was hope for a place where hope had become forgotten.  Gideon's clan gathered to him, believing in him.  Had they all been going through the motion of worshiping Baal?  Had they all submitted in fear when deep down they knew what was right?  It appears they were so starved for leadership they fell for anything.  The saying goes, 'If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!'  The call went out to the remainder of the tribe of Manasseh.  They also decided enough was enough and gathered to him.  Three additional tribes joined in.  The power of God was alive and well and answering their cry.

Judges 6:36-40

I can imagine that every time another group arrived and the army grew larger and larger, Gideon felt smaller and smaller.  The enemy began to work on him.  Who was he to think he could lead men in battle?  How could this farm boy make a difference?  As the crowd grew to thousands who were tired of being impoverished by the Midianites and their friends were ready to take a stand.  Not one more inch, not one more crop, no more hiding.  Gideon however must've been ready to hide in a cave. 

Gideon had listened to the prophet that said not to fear the gods of those around them (6:10).  This was proven in destroying the altar to Baal and the Ashtoreth pole.  The Angel of the Lord declared that Yahweh was with Him, even calling him a mighty man of valor.  If God declares you mighty, then your mighty because He is with you, not because you feel like it or have the army behind you or have lifted weights.  Gideon lacked confidence in Himself.  When we are weak, God can show Himself strong.  Gideon didn't need confidence in Himself, he needed it in God almighty. 

God didn't rebuke Gideon for the use of the fleece to gain confidence in the Lord.  Could God do something counter to the natural?  Could He use a weak, timid, scared Gideon to lead the nation against its enemies?  If He could, then soaking a fleece in the midst of a dry threshing floor would be no big deal.  It was done, but once was not enough.  He reversed the test asking the Lord to keep the fleece dry in the midst of heave dew.  This was also done.

Gideon moved into position for war.  The message to the Midianites was clear; there would be no more hiding in caves. 

Is setting out a fleece okay?  We have three things Gideon did not have.

1. We have the Word of God as our Savior.  He has already overcome our greatest enemy.  The victory has been won.  We can walk victorious in all our circumstances because we know the end of our story.  Everything between now and when we arrive in heaven is a great adventure in the Lord.
   1. If you don't know this great adventure, maybe you don't know the Lord as your savior.  Today is the day of salvation.  Jesus went to the cross a perfect and sinless sacrifice, dying for our sin that we might be saved.  He took our place.  This was done, knowing fully, that we are rebellious and hardhearted and most would reject this good news.  The proof that God accepted the perfect sacrifice of Jesus was his resurrection.  As Jesus was resurrected, so shall we who trust in Him.
2. We have the person of God within us if we are in Christ.  He guides, corrects, rebukes and encourages us.  He is the personal messenger of God for our life. 
   1. If you have not heard from the Holy Spirit, maybe its time to tear down the idols in your back yard.  Turn to the Lord, be fully committed to Him.  Live the life He called you to instead of living on your terms.
3. We have the word of God in the bible?  The Lord has given us so many promises that we can be confident in.  God's word contains His ways and promises as well as those things which offend Him.  We cannot doubt these.  Gideon didn't have a bible to refer to, we do. 
   1. However, very few who bear the name of Christ use the bible for their life. 

© 2015, 2022 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater