Topical Bible: Faith: Trial of Gideon, when Commanded to Deliver Israel

◄ Faith: Trial of Gideon, when Commanded to Deliver Israel ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The narrative of Gideon's trial of faith is a profound example of divine selection and empowerment amidst human frailty and doubt. Gideon, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, is introduced in the Book of Judges during a period of severe oppression by the Midianites. The Israelites, having turned away from God, find themselves subjugated and impoverished, leading them to cry out for deliverance.

Divine Encounter and Commission

Gideon's account 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 with the words, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial skepticism and self-doubt, Gideon is chosen by God to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression. Gideon's response reflects his humility and awareness of his limitations: "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house" (Judges 6:15).

Testing and Assurance

Gideon's faith is tested as he seeks assurance of God's presence and promise. He requests a sign, and God graciously responds by consuming his offering with fire (Judges 6:21). Despite this miraculous sign, Gideon's faith requires further bolstering. He famously lays out a fleece, asking for dew to appear on the fleece alone while the ground remains dry, and then for the reverse. God accommodates these requests, strengthening Gideon's resolve (Judges 6:36-40).

Reduction of the Army

In a further trial of faith, God instructs Gideon to reduce his army to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human might. Initially, 32,000 men gather to fight, but God commands Gideon to send home those who are fearful, leaving 10,000. God then reduces the number further to a mere 300 men, chosen by their manner of drinking water (Judges 7:2-7). This drastic reduction underscores the principle that God's power is made perfect in human weakness.

Victory Over Midian

With his small band of 300 men, Gideon executes a divinely inspired strategy involving trumpets, jars, and torches. The Midianite camp is thrown into confusion, leading to their defeat (Judges 7:19-22). This victory is a testament to God's faithfulness and the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable odds.

Legacy of Faith

Gideon's trial of faith serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the importance of trust in His promises. Despite his initial hesitations and need for reassurance, Gideon's obedience and reliance on God lead to the deliverance of Israel. His account is a testament to the transformative power of faith, even when faced with overwhelming challenges.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:36-40
And Gideon said to God, If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,
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

Hebrews 11:32
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Faith and Courage.
... obtain a better resurrection: and others had trial of cruel ... We want to have such
faith and courage as ... of the Midianites, how he taught this lesson to Gideon. ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... my God did not deliver me, because the trial has strengthened ... Lord." When the prophet
came in Gideon's days and ... there are certain fathers in the faith who have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm

Pleading
... You remember Gideon laid a fleece upon the barn floor ... to bless us, may send us trial
of pouring ... Faith, moreover, pleads the performances of God, she looks back ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/pleading.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... sound doctrine, neither sound reproof, nor sound trial of their ... The lamps of Gideon
were then discovered when his ... to forget their work of faith and labour of ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

The Christian Described
... trial of the virtue of Christ's blood, with a trial of the ... He is the same man still:
his faith has not ... Gideon also, after he was delivered out of the hands of ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Beginning at Jerusalem. --Luke xxiv. 47.
... to this end, he has not only commanded, that the ... Faith shines, when it worketh towards
Christ, through the ... of Matthew the publican, and of Gideon and Sampson ...
/.../bunyan/jerusalem sinner saved/beginning at jerusalem luke xxiv 47.htm

A Discourse
... so small a band, must refer it to the immediate interposition of the Most High,
as in the case of Gideon in his ... Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith ... pitchers, trumpets, and
lamps, too, with which Gideon put to ... I have given him my faith, and sworn my ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... I shut out never an one of you; for I am commanded by my ... and murderers, and also
many of the ringleading priests, to the faith. ... How shall I deliver thee, Israel ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... matter, was willing to put myself upon the trial whether I ... and Pagans; and how if
all our faith, and Christ ... me, and indeed, did quite, not only deliver me from ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm