So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father's household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime. So Gideon tookThe name "Gideon" means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," which is fitting given his role in cutting down the altars of Baal. This act of taking signifies a decisive action, a step of obedience in response to God's command. Gideon's willingness to act, despite his fear, is a testament to his emerging faith and leadership. ten of his servants
The number ten often symbolizes completeness or God's law in the Bible. Gideon's choice to take ten servants may reflect a strategic decision to ensure the task's completion. It also indicates that Gideon had some influence and resources, as he could command the assistance of ten men. and did as the LORD had told him
This phrase highlights Gideon's obedience to God's command. The Hebrew root for "did" (עשׂה, 'asah) implies action and accomplishment. Gideon's actions are a direct response to divine instruction, demonstrating his growing trust in God's plan despite personal fears. But because he was afraid
Fear is a natural human emotion, and Gideon's fear is acknowledged here. The Hebrew word for "afraid" (ירא, yare) can also mean reverence or awe. Gideon's fear is not just of physical harm but also of the social and familial repercussions of his actions. of his family and the men of the city
This phrase indicates the social pressure and potential backlash Gideon faced. His family and the townspeople were likely entrenched in Baal worship, and his actions would have been seen as a direct challenge to their beliefs and practices. This context underscores the courage required to follow God's command. he did it at night
The choice to act at night reflects Gideon's strategic thinking and caution. Nighttime provided cover and reduced the risk of immediate confrontation. This decision shows that while Gideon was obedient, he was also prudent, balancing faith with wisdom. rather than in the daytime
This contrast between night and day emphasizes the clandestine nature of Gideon's actions. It also symbolizes the spiritual battle between darkness (idolatry) and light (obedience to God). Gideon's nighttime action foreshadows the eventual revelation and triumph of God's will in the light of day. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God. 2. Ten ServantsThese are the individuals Gideon chose to assist him in carrying out God's command to tear down the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole. 3. The LORDThe God of Israel, who commands Gideon to destroy the altar of Baal and build an altar to the LORD in its place. 4. Gideon's FamilyRepresents the immediate social circle that Gideon feared, indicating the potential familial opposition to his actions. 5. Men of the CityThe broader community in Ophrah, who were likely worshippers of Baal and would oppose Gideon's actions. Teaching Points Obedience Despite FearGideon's actions demonstrate that obedience to God is paramount, even when fear is present. We are called to trust God and act on His commands, regardless of our apprehensions. Courage in the Face of OppositionGideon's decision to act at night shows his human fear, yet he still fulfills God's command. This teaches us that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act in faith despite it. Influence of Community and FamilyThe passage highlights the potential conflict between following God's will and societal or familial expectations. Believers must prioritize God's directives over human pressures. God's Patience and ReassuranceGod understands our fears and provides reassurance, as seen in His patience with Gideon. We can seek God's guidance and strength when we feel inadequate. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Gideon's decision to act at night reveal about his character and his relationship with God? 2. How can we apply Gideon's example of obedience in our own lives when facing fear or opposition? 3. In what ways does this passage challenge us to evaluate the influence of our family and community on our faith decisions? 4. How does Gideon's account encourage us to seek God's reassurance and strength in times of doubt? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between following God's command and conforming to societal or familial expectations. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from the experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:3-5This passage connects to the commandment against idolatry, which Gideon is upholding by destroying the altar of Baal. 1 Samuel 15:22Highlights the importance of obedience to God over ritual sacrifice, similar to Gideon's obedience despite his fear. Matthew 10:37Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship, which can involve going against family and societal norms, much like Gideon's situation. People Abiezer, Abiezrites, Amalek, Amalekites, Amorites, Asher, Egyptians, Ephah, Gideon, Israelites, Jerubbaal, Jezreel, Joash, Manasseh, Midianites, Naphtali, Ophrah, ZebulunPlaces Egypt, Gaza, Jezreel Valley, Jordan River, Midian, OphrahTopics Afraid, Daytime, Family, Father's, Feared, Fearing, Gideon, Household, Pass, Rather, Servants, Spoken, Taketh, Ten, TownDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 6:27 4921 day
8754 fear Judges 6:11-27 8131 guidance, results Judges 6:25-27 7735 leaders, political Judges 6:25-28 4615 bull Judges 6:25-32 8747 false gods Library Gideon's Altar
'Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah- shalom [God is peace].'--JUDGES vi. 24. I need not tell over again, less vividly, the picturesque story in this chapter, of the simple husbandman up in the hills, engaged furtively in threshing out a little wheat in some hollow in the rock where he might hide it from the keen eyes of the oppressors; and of how the angel of the Lord, unrecognised at first, appeared to him; and gradually there dawned upon his mind the suspicion …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGideon's Fleece
'Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as Thou hast said.'-- JUDGES vi. 37. The decisive moment had come when Gideon, with his hastily gathered raw levies, was about to plunge down to the plain to face immensely superior forces trained to warfare. No wonder that the equally untrained leader's heart heat faster. Many a soldier, who will be steadfastly …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jehovam-Shalem, the Lord Send Peace. Judg 6:24
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John Newton—Olney Hymns Whether it is a Sin to Tempt God?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not a sin to tempt God. For God has not commanded sin. Yet He has commanded men to try, which is the same as to tempt, Him: for it is written (Malach. 3:10): "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in My house; and try Me in this, saith the Lord, if I open not unto you the flood-gates of heaven." Therefore it seems not to be a sin to tempt God. Objection 2: Further, a man is tempted not only in order to test his knowledge and his power, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Man Now Deprived of Freedom of Will, and Miserably Enslaved.
1. Connection of the previous with the four following chapters. In order to lay a proper foundation for the discussion of free will, two obstacles in the way to be removed--viz. sloth and pride. The basis and sum of the whole discussion. The solid structure of this basis, and a clear demonstration of it by the argument a majori ad minus. Also from the inconveniences and absurdities arising from the obstacle of pride. 2. The second part of the chapter containing the opinions of others. 1. The opinions …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in Scripture, from the Foundation of the World.
1. Scripture, in teaching that the essence of God is immense and spiritual, refutes not only idolaters and the foolish wisdom of the world, but also the Manichees and Anthropomorphites. These latter briefly refuted. 2. In this one essence are three persons, yet so that neither is there a triple God, nor is the simple essence of God divided. Meaning of the word Person in this discussion. Three hypostases in God, or the essence of God. 3. Objection of those who, in this discussion, reject the use of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Of the Sacraments.
1. Of the sacraments in general. A sacrament defined. 2. Meaning of the word sacrament. 3. Definition explained. Why God seals his promises to us by sacraments. 4. The word which ought to accompany the element, that the sacrament may be complete. 5. Error of those who attempt to separate the word, or promise of God, from the element. 6. Why sacraments are called Signs of the Covenant. 7. They are such signs, though the wicked should receive them, but are signs of grace only to believers. 8. Objections …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Doctrine of God
I. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD: (Vs. Atheism). 1. ASSUMED BY THE SCRIPTURES. 2. PROOFS OF THE EXISTENCE OF GOD. a) Universal belief in the Existence of God. b) Cosmological:--Argument from Cause. c) Teleological:--Argument from Design. d) Ontological:--Argument from Being. e) Anthropological:--Moral Argument. f) Argument from Congruity. g) Argument from Scripture. II. THE NATURE OF GOD: (Vs. Agnosticism) 1. THE SPIRITUALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Materialism). 2. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: (Vs. Pantheism). 3. THE UNITY …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 6:27 NIVJudges 6:27 NLTJudges 6:27 ESVJudges 6:27 NASBJudges 6:27 KJV
Judges 6:27 Commentaries
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