One Year Bible Readings and Commentary for Tuesday, April 26th

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Click Here to Read Judges 6:1-40

Gideon Becomes Israel’s Judge

The next judge we meet is Gideon. Gideon is a very interesting character for many reasons. The Israelites were now being oppressed by the Midianites, and if affected every area of their lives. They were so oppressed they hid out in mountain and caves. Every crop had been destroyed so they were also dying of starvation. Once again they cried out to the Lord, and the Lord sent Gideon

1. God appeared to Gideon under a tree as an angel. "The description of the encounter with the Angel of the LORD shows that this is not merely an angel speaking on behalf of God. It shows that God himself, appearing in human form, spoke to Gideon." - Guzik

2. The angel called him a "mighty hero". Although Gideon had not done anything yet, the Lord saw his potential.  “Wherein did that valor consist? Apparently, he was a simple man living a very ordinary life. The Angel found him about his daily duty.” (Morgan)

3. While Gideon bemoaned the Israelites' plight, the Lord told him that as he had delivered the people from the Egyptians, he would use him to deliver them from the Midianites. Gideon was very reticent given he was from the tribe of Manasseh and also the least of his clan. 

In one sense Gideon was correct. HE could not rescue Israel, but with the Lord's help, he could do it easily. So often when we see a "God-sized problem", we look at a "human-sized solution". God uses even the weakest vessel to show that the power comes from Him. This principle is shown through the scripture. 

4. Now we get to a very important part in the story. Gideon asks the Lord for a sign to confirm that God is doing to do what He promised. Initially most commentators don't believe it was a sin for Gideon to ask for a sign though it might be debateable.

What is clear was that God has happy to provide the first sign. He asked God to stay where he was, while he went home to get an offering in the form of a young goat and some unleavened bread. As Gideon placed it on an altar, the angel brought forth a fire from his staff which consumed the meat and the bread. 

Gideon knew he is was in the very presence of God. Like most people who encounter God's divine presence, he fell down realizing he had seen God face to face and not died. 

5. As the enemy forces arrayed against the Israelites, the Holy Spirit came upon Gideon and "clothed him with power." As we said before the Holy Spirit came upon particular people, at particular times, for particular tasks in the Old Testament. As Gideon blew the ram's horn many of the other tribes joined him for the battle. 

But Gideon asked the Lord for another sign to assure him the Lord was with him. At this point, I am waiting for the Lord to rebuke Gideon for his lack of faith. Gideon asks the Lord for a very specific sign. He puts out a fleece as he asks the Lord to drench the fleece with water but keep the ground around it dry. Sure enough in the morning, the Lord did exactly what Gideon asked. 

But this is still not good enough. Again, I am wondering if the Lord is about to lose His patience with Gideon, as he asks the opposite to happen the following night. The fleece would stay dry this time, but the rest of ground would be wet. Once again the Lord did what Gideon asked. 

Gideon showed that he had a weak, imperfect faith. For such a bold, life-endangering mission, one might understand (and encourage) his request for one sign (fulfilled in Judges 6:17-21). But asking for second and third signs showed that his faith was weak - Guzik

Though generally speaking it is not good to ask the Lord for a sign, in this case the Lord seems to grant a special dispensation to Gideon. On another note sometimes I hear Christians today talk about putting out a "fleece" when trying to discern what God's will is. More often than not this IS putting the Lord to the test, not exercising faith, and it is misusing the biblical text.

Click Here to Read Luke 22:54-23:12

In the Old Testament reading we saw the doubt of Gideon, and in the passage from Luke we see Peter go from doubt to denial. Peter had pledged his allegience to Jesus, but Jesus had predicted that before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny him three times. 

Jesus is at the high priest's home awaiting trial, and Peter is hiding in the shadows, as the people gather in the courtyard outside. Sure enough three different people recognize Peter and ask him if he knows Jesus. Each time Peter denies knowing Jesus, each time more vehemently. After the rooster crows, Peter realizes that Jesus' prediction has come true and he weeps bitterly. To make matters worse the Lord looked right at him as this happened.

As Jesus comes before the priests and religious leaders, they ask him if he is the Messiah? Jesus knew they were trying to trap him, so he tells them that they will see the Son of Man at the right hand of the Father. With this statement the Pharisees think they have enough evidence to send him to Pilate. 

Pilate really doesn't want to have anything to do with Jesus and after finding out Jesus was from Galilee he sends him to King Herod, who has jurisdiction over this area. Herod. like Pilate. asked him many questions and found Jesus amusing, but in the end he dressed him up in a purple robe mimicking him as a king and sent him back to Pilate. Ironically the last verse says, "That day Pilate and Herod became friends, as up to this point they were enemies." 

"Significantly, Herod and Pilate became friends that day. They found no common ground except their opposition to Jesus." (Guzik)

Click Here to Read Psalm 95-96

Click Here to Read Proverbs 14:5-6

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