God heard His people
The story of Gideon is found in Judges chapters 6 through 8. During this time, the Israelites were being treated badly by the Midianites.
Judges 6:6 tells us that the Midianites made life so hard for the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help.
God heard their prayers. He had not forgotten His people, and He was ready to help them.
God called Gideon
God sent an angel to speak to Gideon. The angel said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
But Gideon did not see himself as a mighty warrior. He did not think he was strong enough to save Israel.
Gideon said, “How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Gideon was basically saying, “God, are You sure You want to use me?”
God promised to be with him
But God was sure. God told Gideon, “I will be with you.” That was the most important part.
Gideon did not have to be strong by himself. God was going to be with him.
Gideon wanted to make sure it was really God speaking to him, so he asked for a sign. He brought an offering to the angel of the Lord. The angel touched the offering with his staff, and fire came from the rock and burned up the offering. Then Gideon knew the Lord had spoken to him.
Gideon obeyed while afraid
After that, God gave Gideon his first job. God told him to tear down the idols that his people had built.
Gideon was afraid, so he did it at night, but he still obeyed God.
That teaches us something important. Even when Gideon was afraid, he still chose to obey.
God patiently answered Gideon
Later, Gideon asked God for two more signs with a fleece. One time he asked God to make the fleece wet and the ground dry.
Another time he asked God to make the fleece dry and the ground wet.
God patiently answered Gideon and showed him that He really was calling him.
God wanted the victory to point to Him
Then it was time for Gideon to lead the army. Gideon started with 32,000 men. But God told him, “You have too many men.”
God did not want Israel to think they had won the battle by their own strength.
So Gideon told the men who were afraid that they could go home. Twenty-two thousand men left, and 10,000 stayed.
God chose a smaller army
Then God said there were still too many men. God told Gideon to take the men down to the water.
God showed Gideon which men to keep. In the end, Gideon only had 300 men.
That probably looked impossible. How could 300 men defeat such a large enemy army? But God was with them.
God gave Gideon the victory
With only 300 men, God gave Gideon and Israel the victory over the Midianites.
Gideon learned that the battle did not depend on how strong he was. It depended on God.
Gideon started out afraid and unsure, but God still used him. God took someone who felt weak and made him a leader.