Observations
(1) In this chapter, more details were described about the suffering of the Israelites.a. Israelites were afraid of the Midian that they lived in hills and caves v.2.
b. Israelites were poor because of the invasion v.3-5.
Both of these hardships could be found in Gideon.
v.11b Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress so he could hide it from the Midianites
(NET) one would normally thresh wheat at the threshing floor outside the city. Animals and a threshing sledge would be employed. Because of the Midianite threat, Gideon was forced to thresh with a stick in a winepress inside the city.
(BKC) Gideon’s act of threshing wheat in a winepress reflected both his fear of discovery by the Midianites and the smallness of his harvest.
2. The reason for their suffering was different between the prophet and Gideon
a. First, the LORD reminded the Israelites that He was the One who brought them out of Egypt. He was the One who cares and the One with power v.8-9.
6:10 I said to you, “I am the LORD your God! Do not worship the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living!” But you have disobeyed me.’ ”
The reason why they did not see God's care and His power was because they worship idols and disobeyed God.
b. Gideon also mentioned the exodus from Egypt, but those were heard from his ancestors. He doubted why God let them suffer.
6:13 Gideon said to him, “Pardon me, but if the LORD is with us, why has such disaster overtaken us?
He did not mention what the prophet said about their idol worshiping. It was not because God did not care, nor God did not have power. It was because people did not choose to worship God.
Reflections: Are we like Gideon who question God but never examine ourselves? It has never come to our mind that we are the problem. If Gideon heard from his ancestors about the exodus he should have heard about the 10 commandments. The first commandments told them not to worship idols. May God help us today to examine our hearts and do not blame God when we see sufferings.
Audrey
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