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Judges 6

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‹ Chapter 5 Judges — All Chapters Chapter 7 ›

1 Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; so He delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites would plant their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, 4 encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. 5 For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it. 6 Israel was greatly impoverished by Midian, and the Israelites cried out to the LORD. 7 Now when the Israelites cried out to the LORD because of Midian, 8 He sent them a prophet, who told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 9 I delivered you out of the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors. I drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 And I said to you: ‘I am the LORD your God. You must not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.’ But you did not obey Me." 11 Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. 12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor." 13 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian." 14 The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Am I not sending you?" 15 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house." 16 “Surely I will be with you,” the LORD replied, “and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man." 17 Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me. 18 Please do not depart from this place until I return to You. Let me bring my offering and set it before You.” And the LORD said, “I will stay until you return." 19 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread and an ephah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to present to Him under the oak. 20 And the angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 21 Then the angel of the LORD extended the tip of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread. And fire flared from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the LORD vanished from his sight. 22 When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the LORD, he said, “Oh no, Lord GOD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!" 23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid, for you will not die." 24 So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. 25 On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering." 27 So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime. 28 When the men of the city got up in the morning, there was Baal’s altar torn down, with the Asherah pole cut down beside it and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar. 29 “Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it." 30 Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it." 31 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar." 32 So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar. 33 Then all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east gathered together, crossed over the Jordan, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel. 34 So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him. 35 Calling them to arms, Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, as well as Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, so that they came up to meet him. 36 Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, 37 then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said." 38 And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. 39 Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew." 40 And that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground.

‹ Chapter 5 Judges — All Chapters Chapter 7 ›

Study Notes — Judges 6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with Israel's oppression by the Midianites, and the people cry out to God for help. God calls Gideon, a humble and fearful man, to lead the Israelites against their oppressors. Despite his initial reluctance, Gideon obeys God's command and begins to prepare for battle. With a series of signs and assurances from God, Gideon's faith is strengthened, and he ultimately leads a small army of 300 men to a miraculous victory over the Midianites. Key verses include Judges 6:12, where the angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, and Judges 6:36-40, where Gideon requests a sign from God to confirm His presence and promise of deliverance.

Context for the Chapter

Judges 6 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which tells the story of Israel's cycles of sin, judgment, and deliverance. The chapter follows the story of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4-5 and precedes the story of Gideon's further exploits in Judges 7-8. The chapter also fits into the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with His people and His ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Heart Application

The chapter encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and power, even in the face of weakness and uncertainty. It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and will be with us, just as He was with Gideon. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of obedience and faith, and encourages believers to step out in trust and confidence in God's power and presence.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Judges 6 tells the story of God's deliverance of Israel from the Midianites through the weakest of leaders, Gideon. Despite Gideon's fear and weakness, God calls him to lead the Israelites and promises to be with him. The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and power, and encourages believers to trust in His promises and obey His commands, as seen in Judges 6:14 and Judges 6:36.

Voices from the Church

“The Lord delights to use the weak and the feeble, that His power may be the more manifest. He takes the things that are not, to bring to nought the things that are.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The Lord is not limited by our weakness, but rather He is glorified in our weakness. For it is in our weakness that His power is made perfect.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

  1. Introduction to Gideon's Story (Judges 6:1-10) — The chapter begins with Israel's oppression by the Midianites and God's call to Gideon, a humble and fearful man.
  2. Gideon's Call and Commission (Judges 6:11-24) — The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and commissions him to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. Gideon is reluctant, but God reassures him of His presence and power.
  3. Gideon's Signs and Assurance (Judges 6:25-32) — Gideon requests a sign from God to confirm His presence and promise of deliverance. God provides a series of signs, strengthening Gideon's faith and obedience.
  4. Gideon's Army and Battle Preparation (Judges 6:33-35) — The Midianites gather against Israel, and Gideon prepares for battle. Despite his fear, Gideon trusts in God's power and presence.
  5. Gideon's Victory and Praise (Judges 6:36-40) — Gideon leads a small army of 300 men to a miraculous victory over the Midianites. The chapter concludes with Gideon's praise and worship of God for His deliverance and power.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God
The chapter highlights God's sovereignty and initiative in salvation and deliverance. God takes the first step in calling Gideon and promising to be with him.
Faith and Obedience
The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in the Christian life. Gideon's faith is strengthened through a series of signs and assurances from God, and he ultimately trusts in God's power and presence to achieve victory.
Covenant Theology
The chapter fits into the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with His people and His ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Providence of God
The chapter highlights God's providence and care for His people. Despite the Midianites' oppression, God is faithful to His promises and delivers Israel through Gideon's leadership.

Lessons from Judges 6

  1. God's Sovereignty — The chapter teaches us that God is sovereign and in control of all things. He takes the first step in salvation and deliverance, and His power is not limited by our weakness.
  2. The Importance of Faith — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. Faith is not the absence of fear or doubt, but the presence of trust and obedience in the face of uncertainty.
  3. Obedience and Trust — The chapter encourages believers to obey God's commands and trust in His power and presence. This requires humility, surrender, and a willingness to step out in faith, even when circumstances seem uncertain or overwhelming.
  4. God's Providence — The chapter highlights God's providence and care for His people. Despite the Midianites' oppression, God is faithful to His promises and delivers Israel through Gideon's leadership.
  5. The Ultimate Deliverer — The story of Gideon points forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ. Just as God used Gideon's weakness to achieve victory, God uses the weakness of the cross to achieve salvation.

Themes from Judges 6

  1. Deliverance and Salvation — The chapter highlights God's power and presence in delivering His people from their enemies. This theme points forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ.
  2. Faith and Obedience — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience in the Christian life. Gideon's faith is strengthened through a series of signs and assurances from God, and he ultimately trusts in God's power and presence to achieve victory.
  3. God's Sovereignty and Providence — The chapter highlights God's sovereignty and providence in the lives of His people. Despite the Midianites' oppression, God is faithful to His promises and delivers Israel through Gideon's leadership.
  4. Human Weakness and Divine Power — The chapter contrasts human weakness with divine power. Despite Gideon's fear and weakness, God uses him to achieve a great victory.
  5. Covenant and Promise — The chapter fits into the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant with His people and His ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What can we learn from Gideon's initial reluctance to obey God's call?
  2. How does God's sovereignty and power encourage us to trust in Him, even in the face of weakness and uncertainty?
  3. What role does faith play in the Christian life, and how can we cultivate faith in our own lives?
  4. How does the story of Gideon point forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ?
  5. What are some ways we can apply the lessons of Judges 6 to our own lives and circumstances?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. Introduction to Gideon's Story (Judges 6:1-10)

6:1 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years they were given into the hands of the Midianites.
6:2 The Midianites were so oppressive that the Israelites prepared shelters for themselves in mountain clefts, caves, and strongholds.

2. Gideon's Call and Commission (Judges 6:11-24)

6:11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites.
6:12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'

3. Gideon's Signs and Assurance (Judges 6:25-32)

6:25 That same night the Lord said to him, 'Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.'
6:26 Then build a proper kind of altar to the Lord your God on the top of this height.

4. Gideon's Army and Battle Preparation (Judges 6:33-35)

6:33 Now all the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern peoples joined forces and crossed over the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
6:34 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

5. Gideon's Victory and Praise (Judges 6:36-40)

6:36 Gideon said to God, 'If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—
6:37 I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the historical context of Judges 6?

The chapter is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which tells the story of Israel's cycles of sin, judgment, and deliverance. The chapter follows the story of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4-5 and precedes the story of Gideon's further exploits in Judges 7-8.

What is the significance of Gideon's fleece?

Gideon's fleece is a sign that God provides to confirm His presence and promise of deliverance. The fleece is a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness and power, and it strengthens Gideon's faith and obedience.

How does the story of Gideon point forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ?

The story of Gideon points forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, in several ways. Just as God used Gideon's weakness to achieve victory, God uses the weakness of the cross to achieve salvation. Additionally, Gideon's faith and obedience are a model for Christians, who are called to trust in God's power and presence in their own lives.

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 Judges 6:1 → Leviticus 26:16-20 The Israelites' disobedience and idolatry lead to their oppression by the Midianites, just as God warned in Leviticus 26:16-20.
2 Judges 6:12 → Joshua 1:5-9 The angel of the Lord's appearance to Gideon is reminiscent of God's promise to Joshua in Joshua 1:5-9, where God promises to be with Joshua and give him victory over his enemies.
3 Judges 6:14 → Isaiah 6:1-5 God's call to Gideon is similar to Isaiah's call in Isaiah 6:1-5, where God commissions Isaiah to speak to His people and call them to repentance.
4 Judges 6:16 → Matthew 1:23 God's promise to Gideon, 'I will be with you,' is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is Immanuel, 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23).
5 Judges 6:25 → Deuteronomy 12:2-3 Gideon's destruction of the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole is in accordance with God's command in Deuteronomy 12:2-3, where God instructs the Israelites to destroy all the places where the nations they are displacing worship their gods.
6 Judges 6:33 → Psalm 83:1-8 The Midianites' gathering against Israel is reminiscent of the nations' gathering against God's people in Psalm 83:1-8, where God promises to deliver His people and give them victory over their enemies.
7 Judges 6:36 → Hebrews 11:32-34 Gideon's faith and obedience are commended in Hebrews 11:32-34, where the author highlights the faith of various Old Testament heroes, including Gideon.
8 Judges 6:40 → John 14:23 The fulfillment of Gideon's sign, where the fleece is wet with dew and the ground is dry, is a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, just as the fulfillment of God's promises in the New Testament is a reminder of His faithfulness and power.

Sermons on Judges 6

SermonDescription
Warren Wiersbe God Answers Man's Suffering: Companionship by Warren Wiersbe In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that when we face difficulties in life, it is because God has a glorious purpose to fulfill. He compares our lack of understanding to Job, w
David Wilkerson Tearing Down the Altar of Baal by David Wilkerson This sermon focuses on the story of Gideon in Judges 6, highlighting the cycle of disobedience, oppression, and crying out to God that the Israelites faced due to idolatry and unbe
David Wilkerson Jehovah Shalom by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the book of Judges and the cycle of sin and repentance that the Israelites went through. He highlights the stories of Othniel, Ehud, and Debo
Alan Redpath Pt 5 the Corruption of the Leaven by Alan Redpath In this sermon, the preacher discusses the parable of the three measures of meal. He explains that the parable represents fellowship with God in service, which can be spoiled by th
Carter Conlon When Defeat Becomes Doctrine by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker passionately addresses the pursuit of self and how it aligns with the heart of Christ. He questions whether the pursuit of self can truly be considered
Carter Conlon Snares, Traps, Scourges, and Thorns by Carter Conlon In this sermon on Judges chapter 6, the preacher highlights the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience to God. The nation of Midian oppresses them and steals their crops, lea
Leonard Ravenhill Power Over All the Power of the Enemy by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the joy and humor of a lovely little girl and the realization of his own aging as a grandparent. He reminisces about his own childhood and t
Leonard Ravenhill Question of the World to a Man of God by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Samson from the Bible. Samson was a man with great strength and anointing from God. However, he made a mistake by revealing his
Chuck Smith (Through the Bible) Judges 1-7 by Chuck Smith In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Judges in the Bible. He highlights the recurring pattern of the Israelites turning away from God and falling into oppression, onl
Zac Poonen Sanctification by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of building our lives with either wood, hay, and straw or gold, silver, and precious stones. He emphasizes the importance of focus

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Judges 6

In this chapter, we see the gracious and merciful character of God, who hears the cries of His people and delivers them from their oppressors. The story of Gideon is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and power, and the importance of faith and obedience in the Christian life. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The Lord is not limited by our weakness, but rather He is glorified in our weakness.' The chapter also highlights the theme of covenant and promise, as God is faithful to His promises and delivers Israel through Gideon's leadership. Ultimately, the story of Gideon points forward to the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, who uses the weakness of the cross to achieve salvation. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

God's Initiative

The chapter highlights God's initiative in salvation and deliverance. God takes the first step in calling Gideon and promising to be with him. This emphasizes God's sovereignty and grace in the lives of His people.

Gideon's Reluctance

Gideon's initial reluctance to obey God's call highlights the natural human tendency to doubt and fear. However, God's patience and reassurance ultimately strengthen Gideon's faith and obedience.

The Importance of Faith

The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's promises. Gideon's faith is strengthened through a series of signs and assurances from God, and he ultimately trusts in God's power and presence to achieve victory.

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