May 20, 2025
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Reading along with us in Judges, Proverbs, and Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Judges 6 (NIV)
Gideon
1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. 2 Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves and strongholds.……Continue Reading
Gideon is the next judge God calls to rescue the people once again and perhaps again another unlikely candidate upon first glance. Certainly Gideon does not appear as one of great faith, asking God for three different signs to confirm He is God. But often we are like Gideon needing reassurance from God and needing to hear things over and over before we truly internalize them. Gideon is another great example that God uses the unlikely to do great things even when they don’t seem strong enough. So whatever we are doing in our daily lives, we should consider how God is using every step of our lives for His purpose and His glory.
Judges 6
What a great example of the difference between how God sees us and how we see ourselves! Gideon a mighty warrior??? Not from his point of view, but certainly from God’s! And the same is true of us when we think we can’t do something. And how amazing that it is the Angel of the Lord, the second member of the trinity engaging with Gideon here….hence Gideon’s fear of seeing Him face to face and the reassurance that comes. Those sentiments would not be consistent if this was just an angel. And Gideon is faithful to do what God says, but he does it at night. May we have more courage than that. But what a great comment from Gideon’s dad. Does Baal need you to defend him? He is not much of a god if he needs that. Reminds me of Elijah in Mount Carmel. And the hesitancy of Gideon that has been throughout this chapter comes out in what he is most known for, putting out the fleece. Not a wrong practice in itself because God honors it here, but maybe not asking God to do a second one after He supplies the first one.
Judges 6
Gideon does have some doubts here as he asks the Lord for multiple signs. In the end Gideon’s trust is strong and the Lord is faithful answers in favor and for Israel. What a great example of God’s faithfulness when we put our trust in Him!
Judges 6
Judges 6
Judges 6
Gideon was chosen by God to save Israel. Angel of God told him to tear down his father and friends altar to Baal as well as the asherah pole and to build a proper altar to the Lord. Until God touched the meat and bread and the fire flared from the rock consuming both, Gideon was in question who was actually speaking to him. Even tho God promised he would be with him, this was a huge undertaking going against both friends and father. Certainly was not going to win him any popularity. Gideon continued to test God with the fleece. God was good and did what Gideon asked of him.
A story of being on the Lords side (follower) can certainly jeopardize our relationships with others. Gideon was brave and chose to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, regardless of going against his father and friends. One to be admired.
As unlikely as it is at least in our own eyes, God chooses Gideon. Someone who thinks of himself as the least of the tribes, and the least in his father`s house. But God doesn`t choose people like we would think. God`s strength is made perfect in our weakness. This is when He is glorified. The Lord in the person of the second person of the trinity speaks to Gideon face to face. With all this, Gideon still has doubts and asks for signs. But he after having doubts does what the Lord wants him to do. He does it in cover of darkness however being afraid of the people. He destroys the Baal altar and sets up an altar to the Living God. Not many in the Bible have spoken to God face to face and lived. We however have more than that for we have the Holy Spirit living in us. Gideon with all his flaws was still chosen by God. Aren`t we the same? We are far from perfect, but He is ever patient with each one of us. God bless you all.
The people cry out to God and He answers. This is the pattern of Judges. One is: the people do what they think is right in their own eyes. The next pattern is: the people cry out to God and He sends a deliverer.
When we devolve into “doing what is right in our own eyes”, it is soon evident why God established right from wrong, justice and order. The powerful oppress the weak, the wicked wreak havoc, and the innocent and relatively righteous cry out for justice.
”And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites, that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage; and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’ ”“
Judges 6:7-10 NKJV
Judges 6