Topical Encyclopedia Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, serving as a judge and leader of Israel. His account is primarily found in Judges chapters 6 to 8. Gideon is celebrated as a magistrate who exemplified faith, obedience, and humility, leading Israel to victory against their oppressors and restoring peace to the land.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 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 desperate. In response to Israel's cries for help, God chose Gideon to deliver 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 greeted him with the words, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial doubts and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon was reassured by God's promise of presence and victory. Acts of Faith and Leadership Gideon's first act of obedience was to destroy the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, which belonged to his father. This act of defiance against idolatry earned him the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him" (Judges 6:32). To confirm God's will, Gideon requested signs, including the famous fleece test, where he asked for dew to appear on a fleece while the ground remained dry, and vice versa. God graciously provided these signs, strengthening Gideon's faith. Gideon's leadership was marked by strategic wisdom and reliance on God's guidance. He assembled an army to confront the Midianites, but God instructed him to reduce the number of soldiers to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. Ultimately, Gideon led a mere 300 men to victory, using unconventional tactics involving trumpets, jars, and torches to create confusion in the enemy camp (Judges 7:19-22). Legacy and Impact Gideon's victory over the Midianites brought peace to Israel for forty years. His leadership demonstrated the power of faith and obedience to God, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Despite his humble beginnings and initial hesitations, Gideon's account is a testament to how God can use ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary feats. However, Gideon's later years were marred by the creation of an ephod, which became a snare to him and his family, leading Israel back into idolatry (Judges 8:27). This serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant in faith and obedience throughout one's life. Gideon's life and leadership continue to be a source of inspiration and reflection for believers, illustrating the potential for greatness when one is aligned with God's will and purpose. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 8:35Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed to Israel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining ... The Life of Mr. Donald Cargil. The Scotch Covenants and the Scotch Kirk. On the Government of God Disestablishment Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ... On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ... Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ... The Image of the Beast. Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers. Resources What does the Bible say about xenophobia? | GotQuestions.orgAre Christians “little gods”? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible mean by “you are gods” / "ye are gods" in Psalm 82:6 and John 10:34? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Magistrates are Appointed by God Magistrates are Ministers of God Magistrates are not a Terror to the Good, But to the Evil Magistrates: Purpose of Their Appointment Magistrates: should be Diligent in Ruling Magistrates: should be Faithful to the Sovereign Magistrates: should be Impartial Magistrates: should Defend the Poor Magistrates: should Enforce the Laws Magistrates: should Hate Covetousness Magistrates: should Judge for God, not for Man Magistrates: should Judge Righteously Magistrates: should Judge Wisely Magistrates: should Know the Law of God Magistrates: should not Take Bribes Magistrates: should Rule in the Fear of God Magistrates: should Seek Wisdom from God Magistrates: should Subjection to Their Authority Enjoined Magistrates: Their office to be Respected Magistrates: To be Wisely Selected and Appointed Magistrates: Wicked: Magistrates in Philippi Magistrates: Wicked: Sons of Samuel Magistrates: Wicked-Illustrated Related Terms Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences) |
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