“But the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man."”
Judges 6:16
Summary
Judges chapter 6 begins with the Israelites once again falling into disobedience, which leads to their oppression by the Midianites for seven years. In their distress, the Israelites cry out to God for help. In response, God sends a prophet to remind them of His deliverance from Egypt and their covenant obligations, highlighting their unfaithfulness. Subsequently, God calls Gideon, a seemingly unremarkable man from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver Israel. Initially hesitant, Gideon seeks confirmation from God through miraculous signs, demonstrating his doubts and the need for divine assurance. Gideon's eventual obedience marks the beginning of Israel's salvation from Midian, underscoring themes of faith, doubt, and God's faithfulness even in unpromising circumstances. The chapter emphasizes God's capacity to use the ordinary for extraordinary purposes, as seen in Gideon's rise as a leader and judge for Israel.