INTRODUCTION: The Israelites are in trouble again. This time, God sends help through an unlikely leader—so that God will get the glory.

1. CONQUEST OF THE MIDIANITES (Judges 6:1-6 [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. [2] And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. [3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; [4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. [5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. [6] And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
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1. The Oppression of Midian (Judges 6:1And 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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1. A desert people dwelling south and east of Palestine
2. The fourth of six oppressors in the book of Judges
1. Mesopotamia (Judges 3:8Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.
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2. Moab (Judges 3:12And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
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3. Canaan (Judges 4:2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
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4. Midian (Judges 6:1And 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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5. Ammon (Judges 10:7-8 [7] And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon. [8] And that year they vexed and oppressed the children of Israel: eighteen years, all the children of Israel that were on the other side Jordan in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead.
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6. Philistia (Judges 13:1And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.
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3. Another oppression caused by the sin of Israel
4. Lasting a total of seven years
2. The Fear of the Israelites (Judges 6:2And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
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1. Their defeat in battle – “Midian prevailed.”
2. Their hiding in caves
3. The Poverty of the Israelites (Judges 6:3-6 [3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; [4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. [5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. [6] And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
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1. The destruction of their crops and herds (Judges 6:3-5 [3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; [4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. [5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
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2. The resulting poverty of the land and people (Judges 6:6And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
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2. CRY OF THE ISRAELITES (Judges 6:7-10 [7] And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, [8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; [9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; [10] And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
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1. Israel Again Cries to the Lord (Judges 6:7And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,
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2. The Lord Sends a Prophet to Them (Judges 6:8-10 [8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; [9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land; [10] And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
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1. The Lord delivered them from Egypt (Judges 6:8-9 [8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; [9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
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2. The Lord gave them the land (Judges 6:9And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
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3. The Lord warned them of false gods (Judges 6:10And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
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4. The people did not obey His voice (Judges 6:10And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
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3. CALL OF GIDEON (Judges 6:11-16 [11] And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. [12] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. [13] And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. [14] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee? [15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. [16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
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1. His Circumstances (Judges 6:11And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
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1. He is working – God calls those who are already working.
2. He is hiding.
3. God’s angel is watching him.
2. God’s Confidence in Gideon (Judges 6:12-13 [12] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. [13] And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
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1. The angel appears to Gideon (Judges 6:12And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
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1. He assures him of God’s presence.
2. He calls him a “mighty man of valour.”
3. NOTE: The contrast between the words of the angel and the picture of Gideon hiding behind the winepress are striking. Surely, the Lord is not simply mocking him. He is showing Gideon what he could be with the Lord’s presence. If Gideon will look to the Lord who is with him, he will be a mighty man of valor.
2. Gideon replies with hard questions (Judges 6:13And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
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1. Why have these things befallen us?
2. Where are all God’s miracles?
3. NOTE:  These questions show strength of character in Gideon. He was disgusted that nothing was happening to show the power of God. He knew the old stories and longed for the God of his fathers.
3. God’s Commission to Gideon (Judges 6:14And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
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1. The “Lord looked upon him” – God pays attention to Gideon.
2. He commissions Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
3. He assures Gideon that he is sent by God Himself.
4. God’s Comfort to Gideon (Judges 6:15-16 [15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. [16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
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1. Gideon excuses himself as unable (Judges 6:15And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
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1. My family is poor.
2. I am the least in my father’s house.
2. God assures Gideon of victory (Judges 6:16And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
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1. He will be with him.
2. He will destroy the Midianites.
4. CONVERSION OF GIDEON (Judges 6:17-24 [17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. [18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. [19] And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. [20] And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. [21] Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight. [22] And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. [23] And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. [24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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1. Gideon Seeks a Sign of His Calling (Judges 6:17-18 [17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me. [18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.
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2. Gideon Presents a Meal to the Angel (Judges 6:18-19 [18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again. [19] And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
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3. The Meal Is Consumed by Fire out of the Rock (Judges 6:20-21 [20] And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so. [21] Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
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4. Gideon Is Convinced That the Call Is from God (Judges 6:22-24 [22] And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face. [23] And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. [24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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1. He has seen an angel of the Lord (Judges 6:22And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.
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2. The Lord assures him that he will not die (Judges 6:23And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.
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3. Gideon builds an altar (Judges 6:24Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
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1. Called Jehovah-Shalom
2. The Lord of peace or the Lord sends peace
5. CONSECRATION OF GIDEON (Judges 6:25-32 [25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: [26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. [27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. [28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. [29] And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. [30] Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. [31] And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. [32] Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
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1. The Instructions of the Lord (Judges 6:25-26 [25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: [26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
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1. Take a bullock (Judges 6:25And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
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1. Thy father’s bullock
2. A young bullock
3. The second bullock
4. A bullock seven years old
2. Throw down the altar of Baal (Judges 6:25And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
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3. Cut down the grove beside it (Judges 6:25And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
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4. Build an altar to the Lord (Judges 6:26And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
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1. On top of the rock
2. In the ordered place
5. Offer the bullock as a burnt sacrifice (Judges 6:26And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
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6. Burn the wood of the grove for the fire (Judges 6:26And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
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2. The Obedience of Gideon (Judges 6:27Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
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1. He did as the Lord said.
2. He did it at night because of fear.
3. He did it with the help of ten servants.
3. The Anger of the Men of the City (Judges 6:28-30 [28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. [29] And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. [30] Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
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1. Their discovery of the work (Judges 6:28And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
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2. Their discovery of Gideon’s responsibility (Judges 6:29And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
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3. Their demand for Gideon’s death (Judges 6:30Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
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4. Gideon’s Defense by His Father (Judges 6:31-32 [31] And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. [32] Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
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1. Joash mocks their defense of a god (Judges 6:31And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
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2. Joash calls his son Jerubbaal (let Baal plead for himself) (Judges 6:32Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
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CONCLUSION: God is going to use Gideon, not because Gideon is such a great man, but to show the greatness of the God who called him. God is not limited by our weaknesses. Our limitations simply give Him room to demonstrate His power. If He were to call you to a great work, would you trust in His power and accept His call?