GIDEON

1. Bible Stories

a) The Bible is full of so many great stories, from struggle to triumph and impossible to miraculous. There are many different kinds of famous stories in the Bible. If you have to read and study the verses closely, there is so much to learn about what the story really means. Such story allows us to know God more deeply and helps us grow up in spiritual life.

b) If you are new to the Bible and want to know some of the most famous Bible stories, here is one of them.

2. Gideon

a) In this Bible story, from chapter 6 of the book of Judges, Gideon is called upon to save the people of Israel by leading them against the Midianites.  In a common theme of apostasy, the people of Israel had done "what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian."  The Midianites were capturing any crops produced by the Israelites, giving them grief.  When the people of Israel realized the error of their ways and cried out for help to the Lord, a prophet was sent to deliver them as they had been rescued from Egypt.

b) Enter Gideon, while harvesting wheat and hiding from the Midianites an angel spoke to him and addressed him as a mighty man of courage.  The angel told Gideon that God is sending him to "save Israel from the hand of Midian."  Although at first Gideon doubts his ability to do so, he is heartened that God will be with him in this mission.  The first task he is commanded to fulfill is destroying the Altar of Baal the Israelites have constructed, evidence of their apostasy.  And so, during the night, Gideon and ten of his men took down the Altar of Baal making the townspeople very angry and asking for the death of the altar destroyer.  Joash, the father of Gideon, then tells them if Baal really is a god he will kill Gideon himself, saving his son.  

c) Seeking reassurance from the Lord, Gideon requests prove of God's promise to save Israel using a fleece.  Encouraged by the acts of God, Gideon and his men then travel near the camp of Midian and prepare for battle.  It is clear that God wants the Israelites to realize his divine validity, telling Gideon to lessen his army from thousands to just 300 men to defeat the Midianites.  Also, Gideon overhears from a dream of one of the Midianites that he is destined to conquer Midian and save the Israelites from oppression. 

d) Gideon commanded his 300 comrades to surround the Midian camp, making it seem the Midianites were greatly outnumbered, then blow their trumpets on every side and shout, "For the Lord and for Gideon!"  When the Midianites heard the trumpets and saw the torches surrounding their camp they cried out and fled, a triumphant victory for Gideon and the Israelites.