Topical Bible: Persecution of Gideon

Bible > Topical > Persecution of Gideon

◄ Persecution of Gideon ►

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

Topical Encyclopedia

The account of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is found in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 through 8. Gideon, a judge of Israel, is a central figure in the narrative of Israel's deliverance from the oppression of the Midianites. His account is marked by divine intervention, acts of faith, and the challenges he faced, including persecution from his own people.

Background and Calling

Gideon was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh. During his time, the Israelites were suffering under the oppression of the Midianites, who, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade and ravage the land of Israel, leaving the Israelites impoverished and in hiding (Judges 6:1-6). In response to Israel's cries for help, the Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel called him a "mighty warrior" and commissioned him to save Israel from Midian's hand (Judges 6:11-14).

Destruction of the Altar of Baal

Gideon's first act of obedience to God was to destroy the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, which belonged to his father, Joash. This act was done at night due to Gideon's fear of his family and the townspeople (Judges 6:25-27). The following morning, when the men of the town discovered the altar destroyed, they demanded Gideon's death. Joash, however, defended his son, challenging the people to let Baal contend for himself if he truly was a god (Judges 6:28-32). This incident earned Gideon the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him."

Challenges and Doubts

Despite his initial act of faith, Gideon faced internal doubts and sought confirmation from God through signs, such as the famous fleece test (Judges 6:36-40). These requests for signs highlight Gideon's struggle with fear and uncertainty, common human responses when faced with daunting tasks.

Victory Over the Midianites

Gideon's faith was further tested when God reduced his army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength (Judges 7:2-7). With this small force, Gideon defeated the Midianites, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness.

Internal Strife and Persecution

After the victory, Gideon faced persecution not from external enemies but from within Israel. The Ephraimites criticized him sharply for not calling them to fight earlier (Judges 8:1-3). Gideon responded with diplomacy, highlighting their significant role in capturing the Midianite leaders Oreb and Zeeb, thus quelling their anger.

Further internal strife occurred when Gideon and his men, exhausted and pursuing the Midianite kings Zebah and Zalmunna, requested food from the men of Succoth and Penuel. Both towns refused, doubting Gideon's success. In response, Gideon promised retribution, which he carried out after capturing the Midianite kings (Judges 8:4-17).

Legacy and Impact

Gideon's leadership brought peace to Israel for forty years (Judges 8:28). However, his later actions, including the creation of an ephod that became a snare to Israel, and the subsequent idolatry, marred his legacy (Judges 8:24-27). Despite these failings, Gideon's account is a testament to God's ability to use flawed individuals to achieve His purposes and the challenges of remaining faithful amidst internal and external pressures.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 6:28-32
And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered on the altar that was built.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Jephthah and Samson and Gideon and Barak, these also were persecuted. ... in the West,
in the days of Diocletian there came great affliction and persecution to the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

The Service Common to the Holy Angels and Other Bodiless Ones.
... Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord and called it Jehovah-shalom ... the heavenly
lovers of men upon us that suffer from the terrible persecution of the ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter iv the service common.htm

Missions; the Inquisition
... But when Gideon and his men began to fight the Midianites on the stage, the ... of the
truth of its doctrine by gentle means, but disgraced itself by persecution. ...
/.../chapter xxx missions the inquisition.htm

The Third Season
... disciples were, is oppressed and ready to perish in the waves of persecution, then
good ... use" What think you was the reason of that great examination Gideon made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iii the third season.htm

The Wisdom of God
... God would make Israel victorious, and what way does he take? He lessens Gideon's
army. ... He has often made his church grow and flourish by persecution. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 the wisdom of god.htm

Trials of the Christian
... The lamps of Gideon were discovered, when his soldiers' pitchers were broken: if
our ... Ease and release from persecution and affliction come not by chance, or by ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xiv trials of the christian.htm

Christ is Glorious --Let us Make Him Known
... In modern times we find in Madagascar, after years of exterminating persecution,
the Church ... like the state of our Church just now; the story of Gideon, the son ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/christ is gloriouslet us make.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... and the old war cry, "The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon" shall yet fill ... retort
upon their reprovers, and becomes the root out of which springs persecution. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Faith
... for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of
Jephthae, of David ... what would you do without faith in times of persecution? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/faith.htm

Acts XV
... Paul now once more meets some of his companions in the persecution of the disciples,
not ... the 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