JUDGES 6

GOD CALLS GIDEON TO DELIVER ISRAEL

After forty years of peace in Israel, the Midianites begin to overpower the Israelites, depleting their food supply and oppressing them for seven years. When the Israelites cry out to God for help, He first sends a prophet to remind them of His faithfulness and to rebuke their disobedience.

Then, the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and tells him that God is with him and has chosen him to lead Israel out of Midianite oppression. Gideon questions his own ability, explaining that he is from the weakest clan in Manasseh. God comforts Gideon, letting him know that He will be with him.

Gideon, still skeptical, asks the angel for a sign. Gideon prepares food, which the angel turns into fire, providing Gideon with a sign from God. Gideon builds an altar and finds peace in God’s presence.

In the middle of the night, Gideon destroys the altar of Baal, built by his father. Gideon replaces it with a new altar and makes sacrifices to God alone. The people of the town are angry and want to kill Gideon, but God protects him.

Gideon asks God to provide two more signs, proving to Gideon that he could trust God’s plans. God responds to Gideon’s request, reassuring him of his purpose.