(story told in Judges 6-8)
Gideon lived during a time when the Israelites were being oppressed by the Midianites, who destroyed their crops and left them in fear. One day, while Gideon was secretly threshing wheat to hide it from the enemy, an angel of the Lord appeared and called him a “mighty warrior.” Gideon was surprised and doubted that he could save Israel, but God assured him that He would be with him.
To confirm God’s call, Gideon asked for signs. First, he prepared an offering, and fire miraculously consumed it. Later, he placed a wool fleece outside overnight—first asking for dew only on the fleece, then only on the ground. Each time, God answered exactly as Gideon requested, proving His faithfulness and patience with Gideon’s doubts.
When the time came for battle, Gideon gathered thousands of men to fight the Midianites. But God told him the army was too large, so that Israel wouldn’t take credit for the victory. God reduced Gideon’s army to just 300 men. Armed with trumpets, jars, and torches, they surrounded the enemy camp. When they blew their trumpets and broke their jars, the Midianites panicked and turned on each other.
With God’s help, Gideon’s small army won a great victory. The Israelites wanted to make Gideon their king, but he refused, saying, “The Lord will rule over you.” His humility showed his understanding that the victory belonged to God alone.
Gideon’s story reminds us that faith doesn’t mean having no fear—it means trusting God even when we feel weak. God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things when they rely on His strength.