Gideon: Man of Faith

Read Part 1.

Although Gideon is certainly a man driven by his anxieties when we first meet him in Judges 6, the magnificent accomplishments which God worked through him were definitely done on the basis of faith.

Indeed, this man of fear became a man of faith—and it was that faith that drove one of the greatest victories in all of Biblical history.

Now, in his first recorded words, Gideon exuded unbelief (Judg. 6:13). But shortly thereafter, in spite of the inadequacies that plagued him, Gideon also “built an altar” (6:24) and worshiped his heavenly visitor—none other than the LORD Himself (see vv. 14, 16, 22). Then this newly minted judge built another altar—yet more impressively, in place of the altar to Baal—and offered a sacrifice there that left the men of the entire region astounded (6:25-32). It even earned Gideon a new name—Jerubbaal, which signified the fact that Baal was entirely powerless to withstand any such attack, because, in fact, “there is no other God but one” (1 Cor. 8:4).

Judges 7 presents the heights of Gideon’s exploits of faith in his remarkable victory over the Midianites and their allies.

Throughout this campaign, Gideon’s faith compelled him to obedience in the midst of incredible circumstances—in spite of his fears. And it also constrained him to worship, again, even in very harsh spiritual conditions (7:15).

It is very interesting that the enemies of Israel feared “the sword of Gideon” (7:14). He also taught his own soldiers to cry, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon” (7:18). Notice that the concept of “the sword” here in this verse is supplied by the translators—perhaps drawing from the comments Gideon overheard in 7:14, or perhaps by inferring from what they actually did say in 7:20.

But the amazing thing was that there were no physical swords involved! The sword swung by Gideon and his band of 300 was purely spiritual—the power of God to eviscerate a massive fighting force in such a way that no one could doubt the true source of the victory. It is genuinely one of the grandest victories ever written down in Holy Scripture.

And Gideon had the faith to believe that God could indeed do it—through him, a man with no military training; through an army of 300, facing an army of 135,000 (see 8:10); with no “carnal” weaponry involved (see 2 Cor. 10:4), with nothing but “trumpets,” “pitchers” and “torches” (7:20). Gideon was willing to go where God sent him, and do as God commanded him, although it was not only difficult but, humanly speaking, downright impossible.

That took real faith!

Now, Judges 8 reveals some questionable—and some thoroughly disappointing—information regarding Gideon. That is all beyond the scope of this article—but well worthy of our attention, based upon the lessons we may glean from it. Sadly, we may gain insight into the dynamic of the chapter by noting that, in fact, it says nothing about faith, obedience, worship, or even an altar. The conclusion of Gideon’s life of heroic faith was especially sad (8:22-31).

Yet, in the end, perhaps the most amazing thing is that God considered this man, Gideon, to be worthy of inclusion in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith. He is one of those select few mentioned by name, and there are actually two unique things about his induction into this position of honor.

First, the author of Hebrews informs us that “the time would fail [him] to tell” us everything that could be said about Gideon (Heb. 11:32). Would not any inquisitive Bible student love to learn all that is intended by that statement?

Secondly, he appears to allude to Gideon again in Heb. 11:33 when he writes about those “who through faith subdued kingdoms.” That certainly captures the improbable judgeship of Gideon in one succinct statement.

May God help us to learn the lesson of faith from Gideon—an unlikely hero, to be sure, and one we would not want to emulate in all areas of life. But may we truly appreciate the impact of his great faith, exercised in a most unusual and challenging context.