Bible Commentaries
Judges 6

Verses 1-40

Judges 6:6 And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

Judges 6:6 “Israel was greatly impoverished” - Comments - The Israelites has left Egypt with much spoil (Exodus 12:35-36, Psalms 105:37), and they had gained many riches during the conquest (Joshua 22:8). Now, after much disobedience, they were reduced to poverty.

Exodus 12:35-36, “And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.”

Joshua 22:8, “And he spake unto them, saying, Return with much riches unto your tents, and with very much cattle, with silver, and with gold, and with brass, and with iron, and with very much raiment: divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.”

Psalms 105:37, “ He brought them forth also with silver and gold : and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.”

Judges 6:11 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.

Judges 6:11 “And there came an angel of the LORD” - Comments - Is this the same angel that led the children of Israel thru the wilderness? This same angel could very well have watched over this nation for centuries while the children of Israel multiplied in Egypt.

Judges 6:11 “and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress” - Comments - Bread, or wheat, represents survival, the basic food staff of Israel. Wine represents prosperity and joy. At this time in Israel's history, the nation was being oppressed by the Midianites. Therefore, there was no wine for the wine press.

Judges 6:11 “to hide it from the Midianites” - Comments - In this passage of Scripture, Gideon did not have a lot of wheat. He was hanging on to what little wheat he was afraid of loosing. As an act of faith he prepares an offering to God, a true sacrifice out of his lack. This act of faith sowed the seed for a harvest from God.

Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Judges 6:13 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.

Judges 6:13 Comments Discouragement can blind a man’s heart to the things of God. Did not the two on the road to Emmaus fail to recognize Jesus in a mind-set of discouragement (Luke 24:0;13-31), and did not Mary standing at the tomb weeping fail to recognize Jesus (John 20:14-17). Although Gideon had heard of God’s great works in Israel’s past, he had only seen and experienced bondage and fear from the enemy. For the first time in Gideon’s life, he was about to hear words of faith and power that penetrated his inner man, giving him strength to walk in God’s divine plan of redemption by faith in His Word.

Judges 6:15 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.

Judges 6:15 “my clan is the weakest in Manasseh” - Comments - Gideon was of the tribe of Manasseh, who was the father of Abiezer, who was a forefather of Gideon (Joshua 17:2).

Joshua 17:2, “There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer , and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.”

Judges 6:15 Comments - One reason that towns and cities were named after forefathers is to preserve their tribes, clans and families.

Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Judges 6:24 Word Study on “Jehovahshalom” Strong says the Hebrew name “Jehovahshalom” ( יְהוָֹה שָׁלוֹם ) (H3073) means, “Jehovah (is) peace.”

Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

Judges 6:32 Word Study on “Jerubbaal” Strong says the Hebrew name “Jerubaal” ( יְרֻבַּעַל ) (H3378) means, “Baal will contend.”