Topical Bible: Decision: Gideon

◄ Decision: Gideon ►

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Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8, where he is called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. His account is a profound example of divine guidance, human hesitation, and the power of faith in decision-making.

Divine Calling and Initial Hesitation

Gideon's journey begins with a divine encounter. The Angel of the LORD appears to him while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel addresses him as a "mighty warrior" and declares, "The LORD is with you" (Judges 6:12). Despite this assurance, Gideon expresses doubt and questions the presence of God, citing the suffering of Israel under Midianite oppression (Judges 6:13).

God's call to Gideon is clear: "Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14). Gideon, however, hesitates, citing his family's low status and his own insignificance (Judges 6:15). The LORD reassures him, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man" (Judges 6:16).

The Sign of the Fleece

Gideon's decision-making process is marked by a desire for confirmation of God's will. He seeks a sign to ensure that God will indeed save Israel through him. Gideon places a fleece on the threshing floor and asks that dew fall only on the fleece while the ground remains dry. God grants this sign, and Gideon requests the reverse the following night. Again, God complies, confirming His promise (Judges 6:36-40).

Reduction of the Army

In a significant decision, God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to ensure that Israel's victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. From an initial force of 32,000 men, God reduces the number to 300 through a series of tests (Judges 7:2-7). This decision underscores the principle that God's power is made perfect in weakness.

The Battle Against the Midianites

Gideon's strategic decision to attack the Midianite camp at night with only 300 men armed with trumpets, jars, and torches demonstrates his faith in God's guidance. The unconventional tactic leads to confusion and panic among the Midianites, resulting in their defeat (Judges 7:16-22).

Aftermath and Leadership

Following the victory, the Israelites request Gideon to rule over them, but he declines, affirming that "The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite this, Gideon makes a decision that leads to spiritual compromise. He creates an ephod from the spoils of war, which becomes a snare to him and his family, as Israel begins to worship it (Judges 8:24-27).

Legacy

Gideon's life and decisions reflect the complexities of faith and leadership. His initial hesitance, reliance on divine signs, and ultimate obedience to God's unconventional strategies highlight the importance of seeking and trusting God's will. However, his later actions serve as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of success and the need for continued faithfulness to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:25-40
And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take your father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it:
Nave's Topical Index

Judges 7:1
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Wise Decision.
... A WISE DECISION. ... She cried, "O Lord, you once answered Gideon with a sign; now please
give me a sign and help me to know whether I should stay at home or not. ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter viii a wise decision.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... Gideon, too, was willing to wash the feet of the Angel of the Lord who ... is the Arbiter
of His own freedom, dividing all things according to the decision of His ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... the hand of the God of heaven in the conquest of the land, and bowed to His decision. ...
Of the judges the Apostle selects four: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... and prevalent with us; by the ideal we seek to apprehend; by the decision and choice ...
When we are first introduced to Gideon, the youngest son of Joash the Abi ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

Acts XV
... of an inspired apostle, they would have yielded implicitly to Paul's decision without
this ... old battle-cry of "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon;" the Latter ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xv.htm

Disestablishment
... In the final decision, the simple "majority of the freemen" was accepted ... Elisha Phelps,
Gideon Tomlinson, James Stevens, Orange Merwin, and Daniel Burrows were ...
/.../chapter xv disestablishment.htm

Letter Xl. St. Ambrose Begs Theodosius to Listen to Him, as He ...
... And do you not fear for your own decision, lest by thinking him unworthy to be ... When
Gideon [3564] had slain the sacred calf, the heathen said, The gods will ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xl st ambrose begs.htm

The Image of the Beast.
... he speaks of its having been already despatched, and repeats his decision, that
all ... Similarly Tertullian refers the victory of Gideon, with his 300 men, to the ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the image of the beast.htm

General Conference of 1824
... Wyatt Chamberlain, George W. Densmoor, Loring Grant, James Hall, Gideon Lanning,
Benjamin ... to the Church as may require your attention and decision, we trust ...
/.../chapter 7 general conference of.htm

Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... of the Deity"first, that by which God leaves any act to the decision of a ... the citizens
of Succoth and Penuel, to deny bread to the army of Gideon, (Judges 8 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm