Topical Bible: Communion: Gideon

◄ Communion: Gideon ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8, in the Old Testament. He is recognized as one of the judges of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Gideon's account is a testament to God's power and faithfulness, as well as the importance of obedience and faith in divine guidance.

Background

The narrative of Gideon unfolds during a time when the Israelites were suffering under the harsh rule of the Midianites. This oppression was a consequence of Israel's disobedience to God, as they had turned to worship false gods. In response to their cries for help, God raised up Gideon to lead His people to freedom.

Divine Calling

Gideon's calling is marked by a divine encounter. The Angel of the LORD appeared to him while he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel addressed him with the words, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial hesitance and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon was assured of God's presence and power.

Signs and Assurance

Gideon sought confirmation of his calling through signs. He prepared an offering, which the Angel of the LORD consumed with fire, confirming God's approval (Judges 6:21). Later, Gideon famously laid out a fleece, asking for dew to appear on it while the ground remained dry, and then the reverse, to further confirm God's will (Judges 6:36-40).

The Battle Against Midian

God instructed Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. The strategy involved surrounding the Midianite camp with trumpets and torches concealed in jars. At Gideon's signal, the men broke the jars, blew the trumpets, and shouted, causing confusion among the Midianites, who turned on each other in panic (Judges 7:19-22).

Gideon's Leadership and Legacy

Gideon's leadership extended beyond military victory. He refused to become king, insisting that the LORD should rule over Israel (Judges 8:23). However, he made an ephod from the spoils of war, which later became a snare to him and his family, as it led the Israelites into idolatry (Judges 8:27).

Spiritual Lessons

Gideon's account emphasizes the importance of faith and reliance on God. Despite his initial doubts, Gideon's obedience to God's instructions led to a miraculous victory. His life serves as a reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the need for continual faithfulness to God.

Conclusion

Gideon's narrative is a powerful example of how God can use ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary purposes. His account encourages believers to trust in God's strength and guidance, even when faced with overwhelming odds.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:11-24
And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained to Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Gideon's Altar
... to live in the 'secret place of the Most High'; and in still communion with Him ... Gideon
was fighting for peace, and what he desired was that victory should bring ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons altar.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Individuals "through faith subdued kingdoms."[300] Gideon dispersed the
Midianites;[301 ... It expresses fitness for entering into immediate communion with God. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Faith and Courage.
... It was "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon." If we go on in the ... professing Christians
who have their harps on the willows, and are out of communion with Him ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

His Legacy.
... And He who stood thus in their midst was the same whom Gideon had seen and ... peace
which was His constant portion, was the result of a constant communion with God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/his legacy.htm

The Sympathy of the Two Worlds
... But one communion make ... After he had mentioned Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and
Gideon, and Barak, and Jephthah, did he not say, "Wherefore seeing we also are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sympathy of the two.htm

The Dew and the Plants
... and into one's own heart, and we behold the parable of Gideon's fleece acted ... is,
that a God-bedewed soul that has been made fair and pure by communion with God ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dew and the plants.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with
the ... and in the hearing of Israel, "Sun, stand thou still upon Gideon, and thou ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
... It took two miracles to persuade Gideon; Moses harbored distrust (Exodus 3. iv ... Moreover,
he held no communion with the private life of Jesus, and entered not ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlv the baptists inquiry and.htm

The King 'Blessing' his People
... 'Time would fail' him 'to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and
Samuel ... who ... ... Communion with God explains much which is else inexplicable. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king blessing his people.htm

Inviolable Messiahs and Prophets
... And they all possessed that intimacy of communion with God which imparted the ... Every
Christian soul may be described as Gideon's brethren were described, 'As ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/inviolable messiahs and prophets.htm