Judges 6:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said,

NIV: Gideon said to God, 'If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised--

NASB: Then Gideon said to God, 'If You are going to save Israel through me, as You have spoken,

CSB: Then Gideon said to God, "If you will deliver Israel by me, as you said,

NLT: Then Gideon said to God, 'If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised,

KJV: And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,

NKJV: So Gideon said to God, “If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said—

As the battle with the Midianites nears (Judges 6:33), Gideon seems to have a crisis of faith. Despite what he's already seen and done, he appears to doubt whether this is really God's plan, or if God is really giving him these commands. He has already seen the Angel of the Lord consume a meal with fire and vanish it in an instant (Judges 6:19–21). He has already obeyed a hard command from the Lord and seen himself protected from harm (Judges 6:25–32). The Spirit of the Lord has come on him, and the people of Israel have responded to his call to battle (Judges 6:34–35), despite having no reputation to earn such loyalty (Judges 6:15).

Still, the task of defeating the Midianites in battle must have seemed monumental (Judges 6:6). Gideon's inexperience as a warrior likely made the impending fight more intimidating. It's not surprising he wanted to be reassured, yet again, of God's intent. All the same, his request is almost insolent (Judges 6:37). That God not only responds—twice—but does so without harshly rebuking Gideon is a testament to His gracious nature.

Judges 6:36–40 describes two miracles that are simultaneously encouraging and absurd. Gideon, called by God to rescue Israel, has already seen evidence of God's favor (Judges 6:34–35) and miraculous confirmation of the Lord's message (Judges 6:19–21). And yet, Gideon is still wracked with doubt and insecurity. He not only asks God to provide more proof, but he even specifies the exact sign he wants to see. Almost unbelievably, he reacts to that miracle by asking God to invert the marvel in yet another test. This event is the source of the derisive expression "laying out a fleece:" when someone imposes a narrow demand that challenges God to "prove" His will.

Israel follows the sad pattern of the book of Judges, and once again turns to evil and idols. God turns them over to the Midianites. These foreign raiders spend the next seven years invading and consuming Israel's crops and livestock. Israel cries for help to the Lord. His first step is to send a prophet to remind them of God's goodness and their disobedience. The Lord then appears to Gideon, commanding him to save Israel because God will be with him. Gideon obeys God's command to tear down a Baal altar and build one to Yahweh in its place. He calls his countrymen to follow him and asks for signs from God.

The book of Judges contains a series of stories with a common theme: Israel falls into sin, suffers, and is rescued by God, only to fall once again (Judges 1—2). The next phase in Israel's downward spiral comes after 40 years of peace, won by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4—5). Israel is punished for sin through the Midianites. After seven years, the Israelites cry out for help. The Lord appears to Gideon, challenging the timid man to lead the battle against Israel's oppressors. Empowered by the Spirit, Gideon calls for his people to follow him, but still asks the Lord for signs. Gideon's successful campaigns are depicted in chapters 7 and 8.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).

Accessed 5/6/2024 10:21:23 AM