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, a leader raised 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.

Background:
Gideon was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh. He lived in Ophrah, a town in the region of the Abiezrites. During Gideon's time, the Israelites were suffering under the harsh oppression of the Midianites, who, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade and ravage the land, leaving the Israelites impoverished and desperate.

Divine Calling:
Gideon's call to leadership 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 doubts and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon was assured by God that he would be the instrument of Israel's deliverance.

Signs and Obedience:
Gideon sought confirmation of his calling through signs. He prepared an offering, which the Angel of the LORD consumed with fire (Judges 6:21). Later, Gideon famously laid out a fleece, asking for dew to appear on the fleece alone and then on the ground alone, which God granted (Judges 6:36-40). These signs strengthened Gideon's faith and resolve.

Destruction of Baal's Altar:
In obedience to God's command, Gideon destroyed his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. He built an altar to the LORD in its place, earning him the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him" (Judges 6:32). This act of defiance against idolatry was a pivotal moment in Israel's spiritual renewal.

The Battle Against the Midianites:
Gideon's military campaign against the Midianites is a remarkable demonstration of God's power. Initially, Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men, but God instructed him to reduce the number to 300, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength (Judges 7:2-7). Armed with trumpets, jars, and torches, Gideon's men surrounded the Midianite camp, causing confusion and panic, leading to a miraculous victory (Judges 7:19-22).

Aftermath and Leadership:
Following the defeat of the Midianites, the Israelites sought to make Gideon their king. However, he refused, declaring, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite his refusal of kingship, Gideon 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).

Legacy:
Gideon's legacy is complex. He is celebrated as a man of faith, listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32. His life illustrates the importance of reliance on God and the dangers of turning away from Him. Gideon's account serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the potential pitfalls of human leadership when it deviates from divine guidance.Judges 6:1
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
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

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