Journey
Gideon
From a winepress to a golden ephod: follow a frightened farmer whom God calls a mighty man of valour, and a victory that did not last.
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Opening stop: Mighty man of valour, Judges 6:11
Because of Midian, Israel had made dens, caves and strong holds in the mountains (Judges 6:1-2), and Gideon hides his wheat at the winepress. The same title, mighty man of valour, is later given to Jephthah (Judges 11:1). Gideon's reply is blunt: if God is with us, where are the miracles? His claim to be the least in his father's house is close to Saul's words before he is made king (1 Samuel 9:21).
And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
King James Version
Seven years under Midian leave Israel hiding in caves and losing crops and livestock to repeated raids. When the people cry to the Lord, an unnamed prophet recalls the exodus and charges them with disobedience. The Lord's angel then meets Gideon while he hides his threshing from Midian. Gideon questions why the reported deliverances have not protected Israel and points to his family's low standing and his own small place in it. The Lord promises to be with him. Fire consumes the food Gideon presents, and reassurance follows his fear after recognizing the angel. He builds an altar called Jehovah-shalom. That night he and ten servants destroy his father's Baal altar and its associated grove, then offer the commanded bull on a new altar. The townspeople demand Gideon's death, but Joash challenges Baal to defend himself; Gideon receives the name Jerubbaal. With invaders gathering, the Lord's Spirit comes upon him and he calls troops. He then requests two opposite fleece signs, both granted, concerning the promised deliverance.
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This journey has 10 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.