Judges 6:1-40

After the passing of these forty years, sin again brought punishment. The people passed under the oppression of Midian. It was oppression of the severest kind and lasted for seven years. A terrible picture is drawn of the people of God hiding in dens and caves and strongholds.

In answer to their cry deliverance began. It came through Gideon. He is revealed as a man continuing his work with the bitterness of the whole situation burning like a fire in his bones. He was conscious of the true relation of the people to Jehovah, but equally conscious of the fact that the conditions obtaining were the result of disobedience to the divine government. The words of the angel to him are very significant, "Go in this thy might." This command can be interpreted only in the light of the words immediately following, "Have not I sent thee?"

Thus the deliverer is seen as a man overwhelmingly conscious of the disastrous condition of affairs and yet as definitely conscious of the divine power. It is ever the man who has a double vision of divine intention and human failure who is the man of might and of valor. Moreover, in the consciousness of his own lowliness and insufficiency we discover another element of the greatness of Gideon. He knew that success did not depend on what he was but on what God was. Therefore, submissively to the divine call he erected his altar and seeing through to the prospect of war he called the altar, Jehovah is peace." That is the triumph of faith.

His activity resultant on these convictions is recorded. He began at home. The altar of Baal in connection with his father's house was broken down and the worship of God restored. The second movement was to send out the call. It is in connection with this that we have that remarkable statement that "the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon." Having gone so far, it would seem as though for the moment he became overwhelmed with a sense of fear. Such fear, however, never issues in evil when it drives men to God as it drove Gideon. He asked for signs and they were granted to him.