Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

The Midianites are the oppressors in Judges 6 and Gideon becomes the Judge hero.  The story is one of real reliance on Jehovah.  Let’s revue how this took place.  The judge who preceded him is not named.  The sin of Israel is pointed out.  Gideon is not a warrior or an important leader.  He hesitates and asks for proof that he is being called.

The first sign is the burning of an offering that he presents to Yahweh’s messenger.  The fire appears from the rock he placed it on.  He responds with another sacrifice and destroying the Baal altar and cuts down the Asherah pole that is used for idol worship.  His life is threatened by the people and he shows the first signs of leadership by threatening those who threaten him.

The fleece or sheepskin that he uses is very well known.  At first, it seems that the dew on the skin and not on the ground should be enough.  Then the judge asks for it to be reversed.  When this happens, God is ready to show His true power.  Tomorrow the battle.

Gideon has thirty-two thousand men according to Judges chapter seven.  Jehovah says that is too many.  The victory would be accredited to them.  God wants the victory to be only coming from Him.  Gideon announced that any who were afraid or wanted to go home, could.  Twenty-two thousand left.

These were still more than Yahweh needed.  They go to the water and as they drink, those who bend down to the water are disqualified.  Those who remain had used their hands to scoop up the water to bring it to their mouths while remaining alert.

The battle strategy is very odd.  Each soldier is equipped with a trumpet, lamp, and pot.  The lamps are lit and placed in the pots.  The procedure is to break the jars and blow the trumpets to cause confusion in the enemy camp.  It works and the Israelites are victorious.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger