I wonder what comes to mind when you hear the word “Gideon”. Perhaps it’s “Bible distribution”, or “hero”, or “defeat of the Midianites”.
The biblical context of Gideon
However, the account of the man Gideon in the sixth chapter of Judges begins very badly indeed. After 40 years or so of easy living following the victory of Deborah and Barak, “Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years” (v.1).
There’s a great tendency for us to quickly move on from this to major on God’s calling of Gideon, on Gideon’s obedience and faith, and on the miraculous deliverance of Israel from vastly superior forces. It seems to me that rarely is there sufficient focus on the condition of Israel that brought about the Midianite oppression.
From the first seven verses we understand that it took seven whole years of raids, thefts, food shortages and terror before “the children of Israel cried out to the Lord”. God’s gracious answer was to send an unnamed prophet, who reminded them of God’s previous deliverances and diagnosed their apostasy: “I said to you ‘I am the Lord your God. Do not fear the gods of the Amorites’ … But you have not obeyed my voice” (v.10).
Let Baal plead
Towards the end of God’s calling of Gideon, we find God’s instruction to cut down and burn the family’s household image (asherah), which Gideon did secretly, in fear of “his father’s household and the men of the city” (v.27). In fact, not only did Gideon do that, he also demolished the altar of the pagan deity, Baal.
Such was his community’s commitment to gross idolatry that they called for Gideon’s execution (v.30). It appears that only one man, Joash, Gideon’s father, opposed their demand, arguing that if Baal were so powerful then he should be the one to act in his own defence. This resulted in Gideon acquiring the nickname ‘Jerubbaal’, meaning ‘let Baal plead’ (v.32).
Interestingly, earlier this year, fragments of a broken jug were discovered near Lachish, southwest of Jerusalem, dating to about 1100BC, the period of the Judges. They bore the inscription of the name ‘Jerubbaal’, authenticating the biblical nickname, if not the exact individual.
Worshipping Baal
The name ‘Baal’ meant ‘owner, master’. It applied especially as the so-called god who gave life and controlled the weather, but could also apply to minor local gods. Titles such as ‘Mighty Baal’ and ‘Lord of Earth’ were also used. Clearly, this was rank blasphemy. The Israelites should have known better, for not only did they forsake their Creator, the One who had been faithful to them, they adopted the culture of Baal – a culture that had previously brought much suffering at Abel-Shittim (Acacia Grove) in Moab, where they worshipped Baal-Peor, ate sacrifices for the dead and indulged in sexual misconduct, reaping terrible consequences (Num 25:1-11).
The Israelites should have known better, for not only did they forsake their Creator, the One who had been faithful to them, they adopted the culture of Baal
In Judges 2 we read that at Bochim the Israelites were rebuked by God for entering agreements with pagans and failing to tear down their altars. God’s anger at their apostasising with Baals and Asherahs was incurred also in the time of Othniel (Judges 3:5ff).Then, in Gideon’s day, the clear commandments of God, given for their wellbeing and protection, had been trampled yet again. The ‘evil’ that was done by Israel was not merely ‘evil’ in man’s reckoning, but “evil in the sight of the LORD”. When the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian, his protection was removed – protection that had been promised through Moses, “The eternal God is your refuge … Israel will dwell in safety” (Deut 33:27ff). No wonder that “Israel was greatly impoverished”!
Idolatry in Britain today
There are clear cultural parallels between Israel’s condition in Gideon’s day and Britain’s condition today. From the largely ‘Christian’ nation of a hundred or so years ago, an accelerating decline has unquestionably occurred. The Latin plaque in BBC’s Broadcasting House, when translated, reads:
“This Temple of the Arts and Muses is dedicated to Almighty God by the first Governors of Broadcasting in the year 1931 … It is their prayer that good seed sown may bring forth a good harvest, that all things hostile to peace or purity may be banished from this house, and that the people, inclining their ear to whatsoever things are beautiful and honest and of good report, may tread the path of wisdom and uprightness.”
(pic c/o Walesonline)Only last week, a grinning reporter warmly announced the forthcoming ‘Green Man Festival’ at which over 25,000 participants are expected in Crickhowell, whilst in the background a huge pagan image loomed, representing an ancient earth /fertility spirit. And on BBC Wales the same evening, a lengthy feature enthusiastically promoted the forthcoming LGBTQ+ ‘Pride’ festival, extolling the Welsh Government’s commitment to make Wales the most supportive nation in Europe for such people.
Sadly, many churchmen and women support such activities. Moreover, bizarrely, the Green Man Trust’s activities have even included partnering with the Salvation Army in Cardiff to give training and mentoring to young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. What a travesty!
‘Shrieking’ to God!
Going back to Gideon’s days, we noted earlier that when oppressed, the apostate children of Israel “cried out to the Lord”. The Hebrew verb here is ‘za’aq’, meaning ‘to shriek’. The word itself sounds like the harsh call of the raven, various concordances rendering it as ‘to cry loudly, out of anguish or danger’. The Israelites shrieked “because of the Midianites”. They cried out because of their circumstances, not their own perverted condition! They had not recognised that their circumstances were God-ordained. This was by no means a prayer of repentance, rather of complaint, yet God in his mercy first responded by sending the unknown prophet and secondly by raising up Gideon. Such is his grace.
In what ways do we cry out to the Lord for our nation? The famous verse 2 Chronicles 7:14 is frequently cited. It’s clearly a promise to the nation of Israel, one that requires four actions: humbling, praying, seeking God, and turning from wicked ways … only then will the Lord “hear from heaven and heal their land”. Can we apply this to Britain today?
Praying 2 Chron 7:14 for our nation
Psalm 33:12 declares, “Blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord”, where the Hebrew word ‘goy’ is translated as ‘nation’ – a word that in the plural refers to Gentiles, and verses 13 to 15 express his concern for “all the sons of men”, not only Israel. Furthermore, although God’s word to Jeremiah at the potter’s house is frequently applied to individuals, his message was primarily to Israel as a nation. That message, however, also sets out general principles regarding God’s dealings with nations: “The instant I speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom …” (vv.7 & 9), whether to build up or to destroy. Whichever the nation involved, God says that disobedience brings judgment and repentance averts it.
As believers within an unquestionably wicked and unrepentant nation, should we not therefore firstly humble ourselves, in repentance, acknowledging our utter failure to stem the tide, too often silent in the face of changing ideologies, too often heedless
As believers within an unquestionably wicked and unrepentant nation, should we not therefore firstly humble ourselves, in repentance, acknowledging our utter failure to stem the tide, too often silent in the face of changing ideologies, too often heedless of the consequences? Surely, we must recognise that we too are culpable.
As believers we should pray, seeking forgiveness for ourselves and interceding for those outside of Christ, asking for a mighty move of the Holy Spirit to fulfil his promised role, to “convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment” (John 16:8), always remembering that “… the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s good news” (1 Pet 4:17).
As that was true in Peter’s day, it surely must apply today! We should therefore remember, as Clifford Hill pointed out in his ‘Warning Signs’ article published here last week, “It is because the Father does not wish to see anyone perish that Jesus taught us to pray for more labourers to help with the harvest.” Intercessors are urgently required!
Perhaps God’s injunction to turn from wicked ways should also encourage us to vigorously join in prayer and action with those Christians who are taking a courageous stand in the public arena. Above all, may the Lord help us to seek his face, and may we be responsive to his promptings
