Lesson 20: Gideon (Judges 6-8) 
 
Introduction:  Gideon was the fifth judge of Israel.  He played a small 
but important role in the history of God's people.  He was a reluct-
ant leader who was finally convinced of the power of God.  He led 
the children of Israel in victory over their enemies, the Midianites. 
 
I. The Call Of Gideon (Jud. 6) 
 
	A. The oppression of Israel by the Midianites (vss. 1-10) 
		1. The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the 
		   Lord. 
		2. Israel cried out to the Lord. 
		3. A prophet was sent to the people with God's message. 
			a. "I have delivered you" in the past. 
			b. "Do not fear the gods of the Amorites." 
			c. "You have not obeyed my voice." 
	B. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon (vss. 11-27). 
		1. He appeared to Gideon in Ophrah. 
		2. Gideon was threshing his wheat. 
		3. He was called a "mighty man of valor." 
		4. Gideon asked why things had gone so badly if God 
		   was with them. 
		5. The Lord promised to be with Gideon and that he 
		   would defeat the Midianites. 
		6. Gideon asked for a sign.  Gideon prepared a meal 
		   and brought it to the Lord.  The Lord touched the 
		   meat with His staff, and it was consumed with 
		   fire. 
		7. Gideon commanded to tear down the altar of Baal 
		   and build one to God. 
	C. Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal (vss. 28-35). 
		1. The people were angry and demanded Gideon's life. 
		2. Gideon's father, Joash, said, " If he (Baal) is a 
		   god, let him plead for himself, because his altar 
		   has been torn down" (vs. 33). 
		3. Gideon was called Jerubbaal ("let Baal plead"). 
		4. The Midianites and the Amalekites assembled at 
		   Jezreel and Gideon called for help from neighbor-
		   ing tribes. 
	D. The sign of the fleece (vss. 36-40) 
		1. Gideon's question for God: "If you will save 
		   Israel by my hand" (vs. 36) 
		2. First sign: dew on fleece, ground dry 
		3. Second sign: dew on ground, fleece dry 
 
	Principles: 
		1. Even the least in the kingdom of God are of use 
		   to the Father (1 Cor. 12:14-26). 
		2. God blesses those who obey Him, but withholds 
		   the blessing for those who sin. 
		3. Idolatry is a bankrupt system of belief. False 
		   gods can do nothing. 
 
 
II. Gideon Defeated The Midianites (Jud. 7:1-8:21) 
 
	A.  Gideon's army of 32,000 was reduced in size (vss. 1-8). 
		1. "...lest Israel claim glory for itself...saying, 
		   'My own had has saved me.'" 
		2. The fearful departed - 22,000. 
		3. Those who went down on their knees to drink water 
		   departed - 9,700. 
		4. 300 men remained. 
	B. Gideon attacked the Midianites (vss. 9-23). 
		1. 300 men took torches, pitchers, swords, and 
		   trumpets. 
		2. They surrounded the Midianites. 
		3. When signaled, they broke the pitchers revealing 
		   the torches.  They shouted, "The sword of the Lord 
		   and of Gideon" (vs. 20). 
		4. The Midianites were routed. 
		5. The assistance of Ephraim was requested to cut 
		   off the fleeing Midianites as they crossed the 
		   Jordan. 
		6. The people of Succoth and Penuel refused to give 
		   bread to Gideon's army.  Later he destroyed them 
		   (8:5,8,16,17). 
		7. Final battle at Jogbehah 
		8. The Midianite army was routed again, and the two 
		   kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna were killed. 
 
	Principles: 
		1. God does not depend on large numbers of people 
		   to accomplish His goals. 
		2. All spiritual victories occur because of God's 
		   power, not our power. 
		3. We should always be ready to provide assistance to 
		   those who are fighting the Lord's battles. 
 
 
III.  The People's Desire To Crown Gideon (Jud. 8:22-28) 
 
	A. Gideon refused to become their king.  He said, "The Lord 
	   shall rule over you." 
	B. Gideon took up a collection of gold in order to make an 
	   ephod.  Later, the people "played the harlot" with the 
	   ephod, becoming a snare to Gideon and his house. 
	C. Israel had peace for 40 years during the days of Gideon. 
	D. Gideon died at a "good old age." 
	E. As soon as he died. the children of Israel "played the 
	   harlot" with the Baals (8:33). 
 
	Principles: 
		1. God rules over us. 
		2. Men have a tendency to worship "religious objects." 
		3. People often forget God when things are going well. 

Questions: 

 1. Why did God allow the Midianites to oppress the children of 
    Israel? 
 2. Who is the "Angel of the Lord" that appeared to Gideon? 
 3. How many times did Gideon request a sign?  Describe the signs 
    that were given to him. 
 4. List some scriptures that deal with the futility of idolatry. 
 5. When we obey God, can we say that we have saved ourselves? 
 6. What weapons did Gideon and his men use against the Midianites?  
    What weapons do we have for our spiritual battles today 
    (Eph. 6:10-20)? 
 7. How is our fight against the Devil much like Gideon's fight 
    against the Midianites? 
 8. What is an ephod?  How did Gideon's ephod become a snare for him? 
 9. Why did the children of Israel return to Baal worship after 
    Gideon died?