Who was Gideon in the Bible?
Here's the answer:
Gideon was the fifth judge of Israel. He was also known as the greatest Judge of Israel.
There were many bad things happening to the people of Israel when God sent the angel of the Lord to Gideon. The angel of the Lord told Gideon he was going to deliver and save his people (Judges 6:12-14). Gideon belonged to the not well-known family of the Abiezrites and saw himself unfit for God’s service (Judges 6:15). He also needed proof that it was indeed God speaking to him, which God proves to him (Judges 6:17).
The first sign of proof was given to Gideon when he asked for the angel of the Lord to stay while he made a meal. After making some food, Gideon returned and placed the food on a rock. “The angel of the LORD had a walking stick in his hand. With the tip of the stick he touched the meat and the bread. Fire blazed out of the rock. It burned up the meat and the bread. Then the angel of the LORD disappeared” (Judges 6:21). This proved to Gideon that it was God talking with him.
God destroyed his father’s altar to Baal and his Asherah pole that very night (Judges 6:25–28). After the troops of invading nations and enemies of Israel enter their land, Gideon asks God for another sign, which God answers again (Judges 6:36-40). After this, Gideon was assured it was God who was speaking to him and he led Israel to victory. Through God’s hand, Gideon became known as the greatest Judge of Israel.
Bible Truth
"The LORD turned to Gideon. He said to him, 'You are strong. Go and save Israel from the power of Midian. I am sending you.' 'Pardon me, sir,' Gideon replied, 'but how can I possibly save Israel? My family group is the weakest in the tribe of Manasseh. And I’m the least important member of my family'" (Judges 6:14-15).
"Then Gideon said to God, 'Don’t be angry with me. Let me ask you for just one more thing. Let me use the wool for one more test. But this time make the wool dry. And let the ground be covered with dew.' So that night God did it. Only the wool was dry. The ground all around it was covered with dew" (Judges 6:39-40).
"What more can I say? I don’t have time to tell about all the others. I don’t have time to talk about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah. I don’t have time to tell about David and Samuel and the prophets. Because of their faith they took over kingdoms. They ruled fairly. They received the blessings God had promised. They shut the mouths of lions. They put out great fires. They escaped being killed by swords. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became powerful in battle. They beat back armies from other countries" (Hebrews 11:32-34).
