Judges 6

Commentary

Judges chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Judges, as it marks the beginning of the story of Gideon. This chapter begins with the Israelites once again turning away from God and worshipping false idols. As a result, God sends the Midianites to oppress them for seven years. In response, the Israelites cry out to God for help. God then sends an angel to Gideon, who is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The angel tells Gideon that he is a mighty warrior and that God has chosen him to save Israel from the Midianites. Gideon is initially hesitant, but eventually agrees to lead the Israelites in battle. Gideon then sets out to test God's promise by asking for a sign. He sets up a wool fleece and asks God to make it wet with dew while the ground around it remains dry. God does so, and Gideon is convinced that God will help him. Gideon then gathers an army of 32,000 men to fight the Midianites. However, God tells Gideon that the army is too large and that he should reduce it to only 300 men. Gideon does so, and with God's help, the 300 men defeat the Midianites. This chapter is significant because it shows how God can use even the weakest of people to accomplish great things. Gideon was a simple farmer, yet God chose him to lead the Israelites in battle. This chapter also serves as a reminder that God is always with us, even in our darkest moments. He will never leave us nor forsake us.