Gideon answered, "If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me. Gideon answeredGideon, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, is responding to the Angel of the Lord. This encounter occurs during a time when Israel is oppressed by the Midianites. Gideon's response is significant as it shows his initial hesitation and need for reassurance, a common human reaction when faced with divine encounters. If I have found favor in Your sight
This phrase reflects a common biblical theme where individuals seek confirmation of their standing before God. It echoes the language used by figures like Moses (Exodus 33:13) and Mary (Luke 1:30), who also sought assurance of God's favor. It indicates Gideon's desire for validation and acceptance by God, which is crucial for his forthcoming mission. give me a sign
The request for a sign is a recurring motif in the Bible, often associated with seeking confirmation of God's will or presence. Signs were used by God to communicate with His people, as seen with Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3) or Hezekiah's sundial (2 Kings 20:8-11). Gideon's request highlights his need for tangible evidence of divine interaction, reflecting human nature's struggle with faith and doubt. that it is You speaking with me
Gideon seeks assurance that the message he receives is truly from God. This reflects the biblical principle of testing the spirits (1 John 4:1) to discern divine truth. It underscores the importance of verifying divine communication, a practice seen throughout scripture, ensuring that the message aligns with God's character and purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel, called by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God. 2. Angel of the LORDA divine messenger who appears to Gideon, often understood in conservative Christian theology as a theophany, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. 3. OphrahThe location where the Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, marking the beginning of Gideon's mission to save Israel. 4. MidianitesThe oppressors of Israel during this period, whose dominance over Israel sets the stage for Gideon's calling. 5. Altar of BaalRepresents the idolatry that Israel had fallen into, which Gideon is later instructed to tear down as part of his mission. Teaching Points Seeking Confirmation from GodGideon's request for a sign reflects a human desire for assurance. It is not wrong to seek confirmation from God, but it should lead to increased faith and obedience. God's Patience with Our DoubtsGod does not rebuke Gideon for his request but graciously provides the sign. This demonstrates God's patience and understanding of human frailty. Faith in ActionGideon's account encourages believers to move from doubt to action. Once God confirms His will, we are called to step out in faith. The Importance of DiscernmentIn seeking signs, believers must exercise discernment to ensure that they are truly hearing from God and not being led by personal desires or external influences. God's Use of the HumbleGideon was from the weakest clan, yet God chose him. This teaches that God often uses those who seem least likely to accomplish His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Gideon's request for a sign reveal about his character and his relationship with God? 2. How can we discern when God is speaking to us today, and what role does Scripture play in that process? 3. In what ways does Gideon's account encourage us to trust God despite our doubts or feelings of inadequacy? 4. How does the concept of seeking confirmation from God apply to decision-making in our own lives? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt God was calling you to a task. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Gideon's example? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3Similar to Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, Gideon seeks confirmation of God's presence and calling. 1 Kings 19Elijah's encounter with God, where he also seeks assurance and guidance, parallels Gideon's need for a sign. Hebrews 11Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith, highlighting his eventual trust in God despite his initial doubts. | Asking for a Sign | A.F. Muir | Judges 6:17 | | Divine Mercy: its Adaptation and Sufficiency | A.F. Muir | Judges 6:7, 8, 11, 34 | | A Look, a Word, and a Question | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Judges 6:11-24 | | Brotherhood Illustrated by Gideon's Reply | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Death Impossible | C. D. Bradlee. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Altar | A. Maclaren, D. D. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Angelic Visitor | R. Young, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Attitude Partly Right and Partly Wrong | Marcus Dods, D. D. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Call to Service | C. Leach, D. D. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Commission | J. Irons. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Interview with the Angel | F. Elwin. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Lament | W. Miller, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Might | J. T. Hamly. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Obedience to God's Call | W. Miller, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Sacrifice | The Weekly Pulpit | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Sacrifice Accepted | F. Elwin. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Gideon's Triumph | Homilist | Judges 6:11-24 | | God's Call, and the Response to It | R. A. Watson, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | How to Treat Doubters | Prof. G. A Smith. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Invisible Might | G. A. Rogers, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Jehovah-Shalom | G. A. Rogers, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Jehovah-Shalom | J. J. S. Bird. | Judges 6:11-24 | | Jehovah-Shalom: the Lord Our Peace | R. Newton, D. D. | Judges 6:11-24 | | One War Over and Another Begun | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Judges 6:11-24 | | Providence not to be Judged from a Narrow Point of View | J. Parker, D. D. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Assurance of Peace Vouchsafed to Gideon | W. W. Duncan, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Christian's Peculiar State | E. Temple. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Divine Afflatus | W. W. Duncan, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Look of God | Homilist | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Man of Valour | W. Burrows, B. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Sign | G. A. Rogers, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | The Witness of Divine Fire and the Altar of Divine Peace | Henry T. Edwards, M. A. | Judges 6:11-24 | | War | Prof. G. A. Smith. | Judges 6:11-24 |
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 Favor, Favour, Gideon, Grace, Hast, Really, Replied, Sight, Sign, Speak, Speakest, Speaking, Talk, Talkest, TalkingDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 6:17 8107 assurance, and life of faith
8723 doubt, results of
8726 doubters
8837 unbelief, and life of faith Judges 6:11-19 4528 trees Judges 6:11-21 4478 meat Judges 6:11-24 8474 seeing God Judges 6:11-27 8131 guidance, results Judges 6:17-18 1055 God, grace and mercy Judges 6:17-19 4530 unleavened bread
4554 yeast Judges 6:17-22 1449 signs, purposes 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 6:17 NIVJudges 6:17 NLTJudges 6:17 ESVJudges 6:17 NASBJudges 6:17 KJV
Judges 6:17 Commentaries
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