Topical Bible: God: Appearances of To Gideon

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The appearances of God to Gideon are significant events recorded in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 through 8, where God calls and empowers Gideon to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. These encounters highlight God's direct intervention and guidance in the lives of His chosen leaders.

The Call of Gideon (Judges 6:11-24):
The first appearance of God to Gideon occurs when the Angel of the LORD visits him while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel of the LORD, a manifestation of God Himself, greets Gideon with the words, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). Despite Gideon's initial doubts and questions about the LORD's presence and the suffering of Israel, the Angel assures him of his calling: "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?" (Judges 6:14).

Gideon requests a sign to confirm the authenticity of the message. In response, the Angel instructs him to prepare an offering. When Gideon presents the meat and unleavened bread, the Angel touches them with the tip of His staff, causing fire to spring up and consume the offering. This miraculous sign convinces Gideon of the divine nature of his visitor, prompting him to exclaim, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face" (Judges 6:22). God reassures him, saying, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid, for you will not die" (Judges 6:23).

The Sign of the Fleece (Judges 6:36-40):
After being clothed with the Spirit of the LORD and gathering an army, Gideon seeks further confirmation of God's promise to save Israel through him. He places a fleece of wool on the threshing floor and asks God to make the fleece wet with dew while keeping the ground dry. God grants this request, and the next morning, Gideon wrings a bowlful of water from the fleece. Still seeking assurance, Gideon asks for the opposite sign: that the fleece remain dry while the ground is covered with dew. God graciously fulfills this request as well, confirming His promise to Gideon.

The Reduction of Gideon's Army (Judges 7:1-8):
God appears to Gideon again, instructing him to reduce the number of his troops to ensure that Israel recognizes the victory as the LORD's doing, not their own. Through a series of tests, God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men. This divine strategy underscores God's power and sovereignty, as He delivers Israel with a small, unlikely force.

The Dream of the Midianite (Judges 7:9-15):
On the eve of battle, God instructs Gideon to go down to the Midianite camp, where he overhears a soldier recounting a dream interpreted as Gideon's victory. This revelation strengthens Gideon's faith, and he worships God, confident in the impending triumph.

The Victory Over Midian (Judges 7:16-25):
Empowered by God's presence and guidance, Gideon leads his 300 men to a miraculous victory over the Midianites. The LORD causes confusion in the enemy camp, leading to their defeat. This victory is a testament to God's faithfulness and His ability to deliver His people through obedient and faithful servants.

Gideon's encounters with God illustrate the LORD's willingness to engage personally with His chosen leaders, providing guidance, assurance, and miraculous signs to accomplish His purposes. These appearances emphasize God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the importance of obedience and faith in His divine plan.

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

Index.
... Elijah's removal, 220; his faith, 263; his sudden appearances, 6; defiled by ... conception
of God's, 145; Christ's conception of God's, 145. ... Gideon's faith, 261. ...
/.../edwards/the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/index 2.htm

Subject Index
... salvation alone in, [461]207, [462]216. shown to be God, from His appearances to
Abraham, [463]223. ... Foreknowledge of God, [925]178. ... Gideon, a type, [940]445. ...
/.../irenaeus/fragments from the lost writings of irenaeus/subject index.htm

The Last Farewell in the Presence of the one Hundred and Fifty ...
... it was small and poor, as far as appearances went, nay ... the Lord [4336] count for
more with God than tens ... How do the three hundred men with Gideon, who bravely ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xlii the last farewell.htm

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... service among the saints, judging from natural appearances; yea, when ... of faith I
still believed that God would help ... put anonymously into the box at Gideon Chapel ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... recognize this to be a real and essential blessing of God, conferring the ... Even the
hateful, evil, false appearances of towers, chalices, and churches, which ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... of 1798-99, and was to all appearances stanchly Federal ... Though himself a believer
in God, he was perhaps ... which Mr. Pierpont Edwards and Mr. Gideon Granger were ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... you for the gospel's sake, then take heed that you forget not to commit your souls
to the keeping of God. We are naturally apt with that good man Gideon, to be ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Others of our race who were equally guilty have held acceptable converse with God,
and received special marks of his favour. ... Wonders of grace to God belong. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... Did Gideon, think you, believe that he was so strong in grace as he was? Nay, was
he not ready to give the lie to the angel, when he told him God was with him? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm