Judges Chapter 6 Bible Study – Gideon’s Call and God’s Deliverance from Midian

The Cycle of Sin and Oppression

Judges chapter 6 begins with a familiar pattern in the book of Judges: “And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 6:1). As a result, God delivered them into the hands of the Midianites for seven years. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, oppressed Israel by invading during harvest time, destroying crops, and leaving the land impoverished.

This oppression was not random—it was a covenant consequence for Israel’s disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15–24). Their sin brought about both economic and social ruin. The description of Israelites hiding in caves and dens (Judges 6:2) reveals the depth of their fear, similar to the days when the Philistines oppressed Israel (1 Samuel 13:6).

Israel’s Cry for Deliverance

When the oppression became unbearable, Israel cried out to the Lord (Judges 6:6). God’s initial response was not to send a deliverer immediately, but to send a prophet (Judges 6:7–10) who reminded them of His past deliverance from Egypt and warned them of their disobedience in turning to the gods of the Amorites.

This shows that repentance is not just about seeking relief from suffering—it begins with acknowledging sin and returning to God’s covenant commands. The prophetic message parallels passages like 2 Kings 17:13–15, where prophets called the people back to God before judgment would be lifted.

God’s Call to Gideon

In Judges 6:11, the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon at Ophrah while he is threshing wheat in a winepress—an unusual and covert method meant to hide from the Midianites. This detail paints a vivid picture of Israel’s fear and the scarcity of food.

The angel greets Gideon with the surprising words, “The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (Judges 6:12). At this moment, Gideon does not look like a warrior, but God’s calling often sees us not as we are, but as we can be by His strength (cf. Jeremiah 1:5; 1 Corinthians 1:27).

Gideon’s Honest Questions

Gideon responds with raw honesty, questioning why Israel is suffering if the Lord is with them and where the miracles of the past have gone (Judges 6:13). His doubts reflect a common human struggle in times of hardship: reconciling God’s promises with present realities.

The angel does not rebuke him but instead commissions him: “Go in this thy might… have not I sent thee?” (Judges 6:14). The strength Gideon is to use is not his own but comes from God’s presence, echoing God’s assurance to Moses in Exodus 3:12.

God’s Assurance of Victory

When Gideon protests that his clan is the weakest in Manasseh and he is the least in his father’s house (Judges 6:15), God responds, “Surely I will be with thee” (Judges 6:16). This is the central promise that transforms fear into faith. The victory over Midian would not depend on Israel’s military power but on God’s presence (Zechariah 4:6).

The Sign of the Offering Consumed by Fire

Gideon requests a sign to confirm the divine call (Judges 6:17). He prepares an offering of meat and unleavened bread, which the angel touches with his staff, causing fire to consume it (Judges 6:19–21). This miraculous sign recalls God’s acceptance of offerings in Leviticus 9:24 and Elijah’s sacrifice on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38).

Recognizing the divine presence, Gideon fears death, but God reassures him: “Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die” (Judges 6:23). Gideon builds an altar and calls it “Jehovah-Shalom,” meaning “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24). This is significant because peace here is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God’s covenantal protection.

The Call to Destroy Idolatry at Home

Before delivering Israel from Midian, Gideon must first confront idolatry in his own household (Judges 6:25–27). God commands him to tear down his father’s altar to Baal, cut down the Asherah pole, and offer a bull on an altar to the Lord using the wood from the idol.

Gideon obeys but does it by night out of fear. Even so, his action fulfills the principle that revival and deliverance must begin with removing sin in one’s own environment (Joshua 24:14–15). The next morning, when the townsmen demand his death, Gideon’s father, Joash, defends him by challenging Baal to defend himself if he is truly a god (Judges 6:31). This gives Gideon the nickname “Jerubbaal,” meaning “Let Baal contend.”

The Spirit of the Lord Empowers Gideon

In Judges 6:33–35, the Midianites and their allies assemble for battle, but the Spirit of the Lord comes upon Gideon, enabling him to blow the trumpet and summon the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. This moment reflects the empowering work of the Spirit in the Old Testament, as also seen in Samson (Judges 14:6) and Saul (1 Samuel 11:6).

The call to arms demonstrates that God’s chosen leaders not only confront sin but also rally God’s people for united action.

Gideon’s Request for Confirmation with the Fleece

Despite these assurances, Gideon seeks further confirmation from God using a fleece test (Judges 6:36–40). He asks that the fleece be wet with dew while the ground remains dry, and then reverses the request. God grants both signs, accommodating Gideon’s weakness and showing patience with his developing faith.

While this incident is sometimes misused as a formula for decision-making, its primary lesson is about God’s condescension to reassure His servant. It reveals that faith can grow through God’s gracious confirmations, much like Thomas’s faith was restored when Jesus allowed him to touch His wounds (John 20:27–29).

Practical Lessons from Judges Chapter 6

  • God’s Discipline is Redemptive: The Midianite oppression was meant to turn Israel’s heart back to God (Hebrews 12:6–11).
  • Repentance Prepares the Way for Deliverance: God sent a prophet to address sin before sending a deliverer (1 John 1:9).
  • God Sees Potential Beyond Present Limitations: Gideon was hiding, yet God called him a mighty man of valor (Philippians 1:6).
  • Obedience Begins at Home: Gideon’s first mission was to tear down idols in his father’s house before confronting national enemies (Matthew 7:5).
  • The Lord is Our Peace: True peace comes from God’s presence, not favorable circumstances (John 14:27).
  • The Holy Spirit Empowers for Service: Gideon’s courage came after the Spirit clothed him with power (Acts 1:8).
  • God is Patient with Our Weakness: The fleece incident shows God’s willingness to strengthen a hesitant faith (Psalm 103:13–14).