Gideon has generally had a bad ‘press’. This has particularly focused on that ‘fleece’ incident. Gideon’s perceived lack of trust in God is highlighted by some as the ‘wrong’ way by which to respond to God.

In ‘court’

If we can imagine a scene, however, by which Gideon’s ‘case’ is brought before a court of law then a different perspective might be presented. The ‘charge’ would be that Gideon stands accused of not trusting God. You, dear reader, can imagine yourself to be part of the ‘jury’. But, in the shoes of an imaginary defence barrister, I want to suggest that the charge needs to be considered in a broader context. This will not only bring an acquittal but actually show Gideon to have been courageous rather than cowardly; instead of refusing to go God’s way he’s responded as God led him to achieve victory. Five facts exist that the ‘prosecution’ has seemingly failed to consider.

Fact One: The enemy whom God had allowed to carry out devastating raids against the Israelites in their homeland for seven years were the Midianites. Their attacks left the Israelites “impoverished,” having “ruined all the crops….and did not spare a living thing for Israel, neither sheep nor cattle nor donkeys…” (Judges 6:4-6). Their forces were described as being like swarms of “locusts,” “impossible to count.” Indeed, the severity of this oppression was actually taken up in Isaiah’s prophecy as being likened to the spiritual bondage dealt with by Jesus! “…as in the day of Midian’s defeat you have shattered the yoke that burdens them…” (Isaiah 9:4).

Those who point the finger at Gideon regarding his reluctance and needing a sign are doing so from a position of physical and material comfort.

As a result Gideon (and his compatriots) was totally powerlessness, confronted with impossible odds in military terms. Those who point the finger at Gideon regarding his reluctance and needing a sign are doing so from a position of physical and material comfort (in a western twenty-first century environment) failing to take that ‘backdrop’ fully into account.

Fact Two: The Israelites were in a ‘place’ of spiritual darkness having turned their backs on God, doing “evil in the eyes of the Lord” (Judges 6:1). This was why God had allowed that oppressive military and economic action by those Midianites. So, Gideon was living in an atmosphere that was unsupportive of God’s ways and word. I submit that this situation has a significant bearing. At the very least Gideon was acknowledging God and did not turn his back on him as others had clearly done. This included his own father, evidenced by the presence of his altar to Baal and Asherah pole.

Fact Three: Further it needs to be noted that Gideon actually did act on God’s instruction. He tore down that altar to Baal and the Asherah pole – pagan objects of worship. In the face of wholesale apostasy which threatened death as a consequence of Gideon’s obedience, this was not the action of a coward or one who distrusted God. Similarly – described in Judge 7 – Gideon obeyed God in reducing the number of men in his ‘army’ from thirty-two thousand to three hundred!

Fact Four: Now we come to that ‘fleeces’ incident; the details of which are well known. However, it is important to notice that Gideon was not asking that this ‘sign’ provide him with guidance. He already knew exactly what God wanted him to undertake. He was asking for confirmation. He needed to be sure of God’s promise of victory over that huge Midianite army that far outnumbered the Israelite force. Gideon, ready for action, was fearful but not disobedient.

Are you, like Gideon, ready to press on through fear and reticence into God’s calling?

Fact Five: Finally, it should be noted in Gideon’s defence that God himself wanted to bring reassurance. God unilaterally worked to provide such encouragement. Gideon was instructed by God to approach the enemy camp at night. In so doing “you will be encouraged to attack the camp” (Judges 7:11). Again, Gideon obeyed and thereby overheard two enemy soldiers discussing what one of them had dreamt. Their own interpretation of that weird dream was that God had given “the whole camp” into Gideon’s hands (Judges 7:13-14)! Gideon’s response was emphatic. “When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshipped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, ‘Get up! The Lord has given the Midianite camp into your hands’” (Judges 7:15). He recognised this as being God’s amazing word of confirmation by which he now knew that God would bring victory, as proved to be the case.

The Verdict

In Gideon’s case a verdict has already been recorded…by God! He’s acquitted of all charges! In fact he is applauded for his attitude and actions, listed by name amongst those of faith in Hebrews 11 (verse 32). Are you, like Gideon, ready to press on through fear and reticence into God’s calling?

Reflection

• What encouragement is there in seeing that God was aware of Gideon’s fear, and brought assurance through that dream?
• Why did God first require Gideon to ‘sort out’ that pagan altar? How can that apply to us?
• What is the importance of responding to God step-by-step like Gideon?

 For the other studies in this series, click here.