Topical Bible: Faith: Gideon

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Topical Encyclopedia

Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8, in the Old Testament. He is remembered as a judge of Israel and a man of faith who led the Israelites to victory against the Midianites. His account is a testament to God's power and the importance of faith and obedience.

Background and Calling

Gideon was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh. During his time, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and in fear.

Gideon's calling is a pivotal moment that demonstrates God's initiative in delivering His people. The Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon 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 chosen by God to save Israel from the Midianites.

Testing and Assurance

Gideon's faith journey is marked by his need for assurance from God. He asked for signs to confirm God's promise of deliverance. One of the most well-known tests involved the fleece. Gideon placed a wool fleece on the threshing floor and asked God to make the fleece wet with dew while the ground remained dry. God granted this sign, and Gideon requested the reverse the following night, which God also fulfilled (Judges 6:36-40).

The Battle Against the Midianites

Gideon's faith was further tested when God instructed him to reduce his army from 32,000 men to just 300. This reduction was to ensure that Israel would recognize that their victory was by God's hand and not by their own strength. The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand" (Judges 7:7).

Armed with trumpets, empty jars, and torches, Gideon's small army surrounded the Midianite camp. At Gideon's signal, they blew the trumpets, broke the jars, and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20). The Midianites were thrown into confusion, turning their swords against each other, leading to a miraculous victory for Israel.

Legacy and Lessons

Gideon's account is a powerful example of faith in action. Despite his initial hesitations and need for reassurance, Gideon ultimately trusted in God's plan and demonstrated obedience. His leadership brought peace to Israel for forty years. However, his later years were marred by the creation of an ephod, which became a snare to him and his family (Judges 8:27).

Gideon's life illustrates the importance of relying on God's strength rather than human might. His account encourages believers to seek God's guidance, trust in His promises, and act in faith, even when circumstances seem insurmountable.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 11:32,33,39
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:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Gideon's Fleece
... yet we have not the same need for 'childish things' as Gideon and his ... it is true
that the same gracious willingness to help a tremulous faith, which carries ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons fleece.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... 9. Holy Gideon, then, foresaw this, that the nations of the Gentiles also would
drink by the reception of faith, and therefore he enquired more diligently, for ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Gideon's Altar
... Gideon was fighting for peace, and what he desired was that victory should bring
tranquillity. ... The land of peace is won by the good fight of faith. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons altar.htm

Faith and Courage.
... full of faith and courage take their empty pitchers and go forward against the enemy.
This little band of three hundred men who were left with Gideon routed ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter iii faith and courage.htm

The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers
... a mighty host. Gideon was a man of faith. He wished to be sure that God
was leading him, and he prayed to God and said: "O Lord ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of gideon and.htm

A Battle Without a Sword
... And did it not need some faith, too, not only in Gideon but in God, on the part
of his band, to plunge down the hill on such an errand, each man with both his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a battle without a sword.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... deeds and sang their paean in faith.[295] Gideon put the Midianites to flight by
faith; for he knew that his sword was the sword of the Lord,[296] Jephthah was ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Meaning of Faith
... would fail me if I tried to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, of
David and Samuel and the prophets"they who through faith conquered kingdoms ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the meaning of faith.htm

Faith the Foundation of all Knowledge.
... should I review and adduce any further testimonies of faith from the history in
our hands? "For the time would fail me were I to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv faith the foundation of.htm

St. Stephen's Day and Stephen, Full of Faith and Power, did Great ...
... And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. . ...
Though hidden yet from all our eyes,. He sees the Gideon who shall rise. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st stephens day and stephen.htm