Today’s daily devotional brings us to Judges 6 where we are introduced to Gideon, the fifth judge of Israel. Gideon is a man who tested God before taking steps of faith. His story prompts us to reflect on our own faith journey. Do we, like Gideon, seek signs and assurances from God before we act? Or have we matured in our walk with the Lord, trusting Him even without clear signs? This article explores the lessons from Gideon’s life and challenges us to examine the strength and maturity of our faith, encouraging us to trust in the Lord fully, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journey. To read Deborah’s song of victory, please read the daily devotional on Judges 5.
Judges 6 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
In Judges 6, we get introduced to Judge number five. Gideon tests God, do you? Please read or listen to Judges 6.
What Message did the Angel Give Gideon?
The fifth judge in the Book of Judges is Gideon. The first question we might raise concerning Gideon: was he called by the Lord? We discussed that about the first four judges, so let’s see what the Word of God says. Verse 12, “And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, ‘The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.’” So yes, in this instance, God calls Gideon as one of the judges.
Who Was the Mighty Man of Valor?
Now to my journals. Starting in 1983, “Judges 6, Gideon raised up to deliver Israel from Midianites. Gideon tests the angel of the Lord three times.”
In 1995, again, concerning the transition going on with my former employer, I wrote, “Meeting with Profund and International Bible Society today. Please God, lead, guide, and direct.” And I wrote a prayer, “For meetings today. Your perfect will. Jehovah-Jireh, my provider. Thanks for saving me at fifteen, giving me a Christian life of divine intervention. Do it again, Lord. Contract with International Bible Society to develop Ezra Project? Wisdom with CACI.”
I am tracking my transition out of Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI) and into whatever the new career God is going to lead me to. I made this note about Judges 6, “Gideon, a young man with a work ethic. Want to study his characteristics.”
In 2016, I read Judges 6 in two different parts. I read verses 1-27 then 28-40. Here is what I wrote in my journal, “How does God speak? Prophets rebuke people for disobedience to God’s voice, according to verses 7-10. Angels instruct as to what we are called by God to do, according to verses 11-22. The Lord speaks directly to Gideon in verses 23-26. Finally, reluctant Gideon is willing to act at night. People do evil, God subjects them to outside servitude. People cry out to God, He sends deliverance. The cycle of Judges.”
I continued, “He also calls on people to act to answer their own prayers, ‘if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?’ (v. 13). ‘Ok, I hear you, and I’m sending you to do something about it,’ referring to verse 14. ‘Go. Not me, Lord. Hear and answer our prayer but not me,’ referring to verse 15. ‘I will be with you’ (v. 16). God works through people.”
The next day, I finished Judges 6:28-40 and wrote, “Father defends son. Gideon’s dad stands up for Gideon and ridicules idols. Let Baal stand up for himself if he’s a god. The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon. Clothe me, Spirit. What is it like to be clothed in the Spirit of the Lord? Clothe me, Holy Spirit.”
What was Gideon’s Weakness in the Bible?
I continued to write, “Gideon had already heard from an angel that the Lord would be with him. He also already showed him one sign. Gideon asks for two more signs with the fleece. Very weak faith. He knows he was pushing the Lord. He even says, ‘Let not your anger burn against me’ (v. 39). May I not push you, Lord, but be a man of faith.”
What Is the Lesson from Gideon Judges 6?
In my early years as a Christian, I was much like Gideon. Maybe I did study his characteristics as I said in that journal. I was a guy who did not do anything without first putting a fleece out and seeing God work. I wanted signs from the Lord before I took a step of faith. Fortunately, the Lord honored that, and He provided many signs for me in my young Christian days and my faith grew. But you can see in 2016, I called that kind of faith from Gideon, “weak faith.”
I believe in my Christian walk, my faith has matured. Yes, I still want to be on the right path with the Lord. I do not want to ever be out of step with what God wants in my life. But I do not beg for signs, like the fleece thing, anymore. My faith has grown. I trust in the Lord.
Are you a young Christian, or are you mature in your spiritual walk with the Lord? At either place in your journey, I pray you will have great faith. It is not[AH1] about the level of our faith, it is about who our faith is in, and our faith is in the Lord. Our application today is to examine your faith. Do you have faith that still wants to see a sign from the Lord before you move ahead? Or has your faith been tested enough in your journey that you trust in the Lord?
Holy Spirit reveal to us our level of faith. Show us individually how we are to grow our faith in You. May we be, or become, men and women of faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray it. Amen.
