Gideon: An unlikely hero

Enemies 

The enemies during the time of Gideon are Midian and Amelek. The Midianite leaders were Oreb and Zeeb. The Midianite kings are Zeban and Zalmunna, this is whom Gideon and his 300 men pursued.The Israelites suffered at the hands of the Midianites for 6 years. The Midianites were a very powerful independent nation at that time. They were allied with the Amelekites and the people of the East. They oppressed the Israelites very severely, by destroying their crops and reducing them to poverty. They were so powerful that the Israelites were forced to leave their fields and homes, and take shelter in mountains and caves.

Interesting fact about Gideon!

An interesting fact about Gideon is that he was also referred to as Jerubbaal. This name means “fight Baal”. Gideon got granted with this nick name because his dad and the Israelites worshipped idols, but Gideon destroyed these idols. He destroyed the towns alter to Baal and the symbol of the goddess Asherah.

Miracles:

Gideon did not believe that G-d was appointing him. Gideon needed signs to know that it was real, so he requested proof from G-d using 3 miracles. The first miracle is a sign from an angel. The angel goes to Gideon and tells him to bring a sacrifice. Before Gideon lights the fire for the sacrifice, the angel takes a stick and touches the meat. The sacrifice burns into flames and the angel goes up to heaven in the flames.

Miracles 

Gideon is still unsure, and he wants proof that G-d is going to save him during the war.

G-d tells Gideon that he is going to give him wool, and if there is only due on the wool but nowhere else, then it is a sign that G-d will save him. G-d did not want to do that because regardless there will always be due, but in this case, there was more due on the wool then anywhere else.

Miracles

Gideon was still not convinced, so there was a third miracle that occurred. G-d said that if there is due everywhere except on the wool, then it is a sign that G-d would save him. Gideon saw that there was no due on the wool, but there was due everywhere else, He now believed that G-d was with him.

Leadership style

In biblical history, communities needed protection against armies and invading enemies. A military leader is a solution to this problem. When Israel sins and loses G-ds protection, a military leader is needed. As a military leader, Gideon leads the people of Israel into battle and ultimately into victory. He serves as protection for the Jewish people and he helps fight off Amelek. Gideon demonstrated the he is a military leader when he listened to G-ds request and took the courage to go out and destroy the towns alter to baal, this is how he got his name jerubbaal.

Military leader

Gideon shows strength as a military leader once again when he has the power to gather thousands of men in order to increase his army and his chance of being victorious. Gideon gathered so many men that G-d told Gideon he had gathered too many. All of these men believed in Gideon and looked up to him, so they wanted to join his army and fight with him. This worried G-d because if the Israelites won, then they would claim the victory as their own instead of acknowledging that G-d saved them.

Military leader

As a military leader leader in the biblical times, Gideon had to have courage in order to follow G-ds commands. In the middle of the night, G-d told Gideon to go to the Midianite camp. With no fear, Gideon went. He over heard a Midianite man telling his friend that G-d had given the Midianites over to Gideon. So Gideon went back to the Israelite camp and gave each of his men a shofar and a hidden torch. His men went to the enemies came while blowing their shofars because it made it seem like they had more men then they did. The Midianite army fled. These examples prove how Gideon is a strong military leader who brought victory and protection to the people of Israel. His role as a military leader was crucial in fighting Ametek and saving the Jewish people.

Themes

One of the major themes in the story of Gideon is quality vs. quantity. The story of Gideon proves how a few skilled and dedicated soldiers can overthrow thousands who are not qualified. After G-d reduced Gideon’s army to only 300 men, they were at a disadvantage as there were so few of them. One can see how few can win over many.

Themes

Another theme in the story of gideon is faith in G-d. Gideon is always fearful of taking the next step, and G-d needs to guide him through it. Once G-d leads him, he has perfect confidence that he can do it. For example, G-d tells Gideon to go down to the camp in Midian, but Gideon is scared. So G-d says if you are scared to attack, just sneak down and listen to what the people are saying and that will strengthen you.This gives him faith in G-d. The theme that G-d can do anything by any means necessary is a common theme in the bible and is shown in this story through the defeat of the Midianites through the odd process with very few men. The theme that strength doesn’t matter as much as faith in G-d is another theme in the story that is echoed throughout the bible. In this story, it is seen when G-d chooses the young, weak, Gideon to deliver the Israelites.

Themes

A final theme demonstrated through the story of Gideon is power. Gideon fought power and he did not want the power that was being offered to him. He turned down kingship and leadership over the Israelites. Gideon says “my family is the youngest in Manasseh and i’m the youngest in my family, soy’s unworthy.” (Chapter 6:15). Gideon believes that he does not deserve the power that was given to him, and he does not want to inherit this leadership role. The theme of power shows in this story, but in the opposite way, as Gideon does not want it. He was only interested in doing what is necessary to save the Jewish people.

Comparison to samson: Leadership

Samson and Gideon were very different people who had contrasting leadership styles, personalities and achievements during their time as judges. Samson was his own man and he was not particularly a leader. He was an individual and liked to do things on his own. Samson goes around and kills as many Philistines that he could without considering the ramifications that his actions would have on the people he’s leading. Even though it says that Samson judged the people for 20 years, it does not indicate which way he judged them. In this case, it means that he managed to keep the Philistines off the back of the Jews for 20 years. He did his job, but not as a leader, he did it himself. One does not see leadership in Samson during his time as judge. Gideon however is a leader, and shows strong leadership over his people. Gideon gathers the men, rallies the troops and fights Midian for all of the Israelites. He does not work alone and he looks for support from his people.

Comparison to Samson: Personality

In regards to personality, Gideon was a doubter and was insecure, but ended up being a strong military leader. Samson did not manifest any insecurities. He was very confident, even though majority of the actions he did looked bad, like marrying Philistine women. In our literature, Samson is one of the very few who is called “the righteous”. He was a very smart man, and led the Jewish people by himself because he knew it was the best way to help them. He was very intelligent, and although there was no victory, he did help the Jews for 20 years.

Samson and Gideon both accomplished in saving the Jewish people from their advisories. Samson succeeded at that for 20 years, by making the Philistines afraid of the Jewish people. The Philistines knew that if they did harm to the Israelites, then Samson would get back at them. They agreed to leave each other alone, which ultimately got rid of them for 20 years. Gideon got rid of Midian and and led the Israelites to a victorious war, despite the vast numerical disadvantage.