Question 1

What was happening with Israel when God called Gideon?

Accepted Answer

When God called Gideon, Israel was in a hard place. They had turned from God and worshiped the gods of the land. Because of this, God allowed the Midianites and their allies to oppress them for seven years. These enemies would come at harvest time, ruin the crops, and take the animals, so the people hid in caves and were very poor and afraid. Only after they cried out to the Lord did God answer, first by sending a prophet to expose their sin, and then by raising up Gideon as a deliverer.

Question 2

Who is Gideon in this passage and why is he important?

Accepted Answer

Gideon is a man from the clan of Abi-ezer in the tribe of Manasseh. He sees himself as weak and from a poor family, yet God chooses him to save Israel from the Midianites. When we first meet him, he is secretly threshing wheat to hide it from the enemy. God calls him a “mighty man of valour” and promises to be with him. Gideon’s story shows how God often uses those who feel small and afraid, and gives them strength for His work.

Question 3

Why did God send a prophet before raising up Gideon?

Accepted Answer

God sent a prophet first to remind Israel why they were suffering. The prophet told them how God brought them out of Egypt, freed them from bondage, drove out their enemies, and gave them the land. God had said, “I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites,” but the people had not obeyed His voice. This message showed that their trouble was not just bad luck, but the result of turning from God. Before deliverance, God wanted their hearts and minds corrected.

Question 4

What does Gideon’s altar called Jehovah-shalom mean?

Accepted Answer

After Gideon realized he had been speaking with the angel of the Lord, he was terrified, thinking he would die for seeing such a messenger face to face. But God spoke peace to him, saying, “Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” In response, Gideon built an altar and called it “Jehovah-shalom,” which means “The LORD is peace.” It marks the moment God calmed his fear and assured him of His favor. In the middle of fear and danger, God Himself became Gideon’s peace.

Question 5

Why did God tell Gideon to tear down his father’s altar of Baal?

Accepted Answer

God told Gideon to tear down his father’s altar of Baal and cut down the grove beside it because Israel’s real problem was not just Midian, but their idolatry. Before leading the nation into battle, Gideon had to deal with false worship at home. God also told him to build an altar to the LORD on that spot and offer a bull using the wood of the grove. This showed that the Lord alone was God. Gideon did it at night because he was afraid, but he still obeyed, and God protected him.

Question 6

What is the meaning of Gideon’s new name Jerubbaal?

Accepted Answer

After Gideon tore down Baal’s altar, the men of the city wanted him put to death. His father Joash defended him, saying that if Baal were really a god, he could defend himself and plead against the one who broke his altar. Because of this, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, which means something like “Let Baal contend” or “Let Baal plead.” The name is a reminder that Baal did nothing, showing he was powerless, while the true God was the one who called and protected Gideon.

Question 7

Why did Gideon ask God for signs with the fleece?

Accepted Answer

Gideon had already heard God’s promise and even seen fire come from the rock to consume his offering, yet he still felt weak and unsure. He asked for the fleece signs to be sure that God would really save Israel through him, just as God had said. First he asked for dew only on the fleece, then for dew only on the ground. God kindly answered both requests. This shows Gideon’s fear and slowness to trust, but also God’s patient mercy in giving him extra assurance for the hard task ahead.

Question 8

What does this passage teach about God’s response to sin and repentance?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God takes sin seriously and that turning from Him leads to real loss and suffering, as seen in Israel’s seven years of oppression and poverty under Midian. Yet it also shows that when God’s people cry out to Him, He hears. He does not only remove trouble, He first exposes the sin through His word, then brings help through the deliverer He chooses. God is just in using hardship to wake His people up, but He is also very patient and ready to show mercy when they turn back to Him.

Judges 6:1

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

Midian Oppresses Israel

The Call of Gideon

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

The Sign of the Fleece

Midian Oppresses Israel

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Judges 6:1

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

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Midian Oppresses Israel

The Call of Gideon

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

The Sign of the Fleece

Midian Oppresses Israel

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