Judges 8:10 says, Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.  Zebah and Zalmunna and about fifteen thousand men were all that were left as over one hundred and twenty thousand had already been killed.  The size of the opposition does not really matter as long as we are faithful to God.  Verse eleven states, And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.  Gideon went up and killed the last of the host, or soldiers.  Verse twelve says, And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.  The two kings once again fled and Gideon pursued them.  They seemed to have abandoned their men and were concerned only for a few leaders and themselves.  Those who do not follow God often look out only for themselves, and some times it seems that at times some of those who are followers of Christ are the same way unfortunately.  Verse thirteen declares, And Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle before the sun was up,  Gideon returned to the battle before the sun was up.  Nearly all the enemy may have been killed, but a few remained.  We today do not need to become less vigilant when it seems that our enemies are almost all slain, but need to realize that in this lifetime they never will be.  We need to start every day prepared to face the enemy through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Verse fourteen says, And caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he described unto him the princes of Succoth, and the elders thereof, even threescore and seventeen men.  Gideon asked a young man that he met about the men he was pursuing, and he told Gideon about them.  Verse fifteen states, And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?  When Gideon returned to Succoth, he reminded them of his earlier request for bread for his men and their denial of it because Zebah and Zalmunna were not yet defeated.  We should not be surprised if the people of the world today look around and see the forces of the world as more powerful than Christians and ask why they should help us  Like the people of Succoth though, one day they will know, as God has already secured the victory.  Verse sixteen declares, And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.  Gideon took the leaders of Succoth into the wilderness and the  briars and taught them a lesson,  Verse seventeen adds, And he beat down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city.  Gideon then tore down the tower of Penuel and killed the men of the city.  This would be speculation, but the tower probably represented some god.  I do know without speculation that we must tear down everything in our lives that becomes more important than God.  Verse eighteen states, Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king.  Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna who the people they killed at Tabor were, and they said that they looked like Gideon.  Verse nineteen declares, And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you.  Gideon said that these men that were slain bt Zebah and Zalmunna were his brothers, and if they had saved them, then Gideon would not kill them.  Their actions had consequences, just as ours do today..  The only way to be forgiven and not bear the responsibility of those consequences is through faith in Christ.  Verse twenty adds, And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth.  Gideon told his oldest son, Jether, to slay Zebah and Zalmunna, but he couldn't do it. because he was still a youth.  We as followers of Christ should not allow our age to keep us from following God's commands, whether we are very young or very old.  Verse twenty-one concludes, Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.   Zebah and Zalmunna basically told Gideon to go ahead and kill them, and he did.  We need to spiritually slay all the enemies of God today, whether they invite us to or not.

Judges 8:1 says, And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.  The men of Ephraim came to Gideon and asked why he hadn't called them to fight the Midianites.  Then, they chastised him sharply.  Gideon was God's chosen leader acting under God's authority and being very successful in leading them to defeat the Midianites through God's power and direction, but the men of Ephraim were angry with him.  We do not need to get upset when God is being victorious in some areas without us, and we certainly do not need to be angry with those that God is working through to bring success without us.  Verse two states,  And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?  Gideon basically asked them what had he done that would compare to what they had already done.  He did not get angry and tell them that they had no right to question him because he was he was God's chosen representative.  We should never get angry with our fellow believers if they question us when we are doing something for God today, but should let them know that we realize that they are also working to advance God's kingdom.  Verse three adds, God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you? Then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.  Gideon gave the credit to God and said that God had delivered the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, into the hands of the men of Ephraim, and what could Gideon do that was greater than that, and the men of Ephraim were appeased.  We really shouldn't have to appease other Christians when we are doing what God calls us to do, but if we have to, it should never be done out of anger toward them.  Verse four declares, And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.  Gideon and the three hundred men with him passed over the Jordan.  They were still pursuing the enemy, though they were faint, or physically weak.  Verse five adds, And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.  Gideon asked the people of Succoth to feed the men of Israel who were following him, because they were physically weak from lack of food.  We today at times may find ourselves weak from doing what God calls us to do, and at times we may need the people of this world to offer us sustenance, but we should never stop doing what God has called us to do because we have grown tired.  Verse six says, And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?  The people of Succoth wanted to know if Gideon and his army had already defeated Zebah and Zalmunna so that they should feed  Gideon's army.  They were evidently still concerned about being seen as being disloyal to these two kings in case Gideon failed.  Even though Gideon's victory was assured, the people of Succoth had not seen it yet and were reluctant to trust in it happening.  Even though God's victory is assured today, many people cannot see physical evidence of it and are reluctant to put their faith in Him.  Verse seven states, And Gideon said, Therefore when the LORD hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.  Gideon said that when God had delivered these two kings that he would tear the flesh of the men of Succoth with thorns of the wilderness and briars.  He didn't say that he would kill them, but he did say that they would be held accountable if they didn't help.  Verse eight adds, And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.  Gideon also asked the people of Penuel to do the same as he had asked the people of Succoth to do, and they answered him the same way.  Verse nine concludes, And he spake also unto the men of Penuel, saying, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.  Gideon told the people of Penuel that when he came again in peace, which would be after he defeated Zebah and Zalmunna, he would tear down the tower of their city.  When we come to others through victory in Christ, we must tear down all their defenses if we are going to reach them with His word.  Just as Gideon was sure of victory in that day, so can we be today if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Judges 7:12 says, And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.  There was a vast army opposing the Israelites, who now numbered three-hundred.  Verse thirteen states, And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.  A man told of a dream he had where a cake of barley tumbled the host of Midian.  Verse fourteen adds, And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian, and all the host.  Another man said this represented the sword of Gideon having the host of Midian delivered into his hand by God.  Even those that do not know God can see His work in the world.  Verse fifteen states,  And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.  Gideon heard the dream and the interpretation and returned to his people and told them to arise, because the LORD had delivered the Midianites.  We know that God has delivered us from all the power of evil in the world today, so it is time to arise and claim that victory.  Verse sixteen adds, And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man’s hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.  Gideon divided the three hundred into three groups, and armed them with pitchers and lamps.  This does not sound like a good armament for war against a vast army.  Verse seventeen says, And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.  Gideon told the three hundred to follow his example.  We today as Christians are called on to follow the example of Christ.  Verse eighteen adds, When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  The first thing that Gideon told them to do was that when he blew his trumpet, they were to blow their trumpets and shout the sword of the LORD and Gideon.  The Lord was put first, just as we must put Him first in the things that we do today.  Verse nineteen declares, So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.  At the beginning of a new watch, or changing of the guard, Gideon and those wit him blew their trumpets and smashed their pitchers.  This would have only been somewhat confusing it would seem, but it was the battle plan of God.  We need never question God's methods, but must simply carry out His plan.  Verse twenty says, And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.  All three hundred did as they had been instructed to do.  God's plan will be much more successful if all His people carry it out.  Verse twenty-one states, And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.  All the enemy fled.  Verse twenty-two adds, And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man’s sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.  The LORD caused the Midianites to start killing one another as Gideon and the three hundred blew their trumpets.  God's enemies often work against themselves today, and in the coming judgment each person will only have himself or herself to blame if they are guilty of not accepting the salvation of Christ.  Verse twenty-three states, And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.  The men from many tribes of Israel pursued the Midianites.  Verse twenty-four declares, And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.  Gideon sent word to the people of Ephraim to come down and help.  All of God's people today need to be a part of the battle against evil in the world.  We are all needed in different ways, but when we know that a call comes from God, we need to answer that call.  Verse twenty-five adds, And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan.  The people of Ephraim took two princes of Midian and beheaded them and pursued the Midianites.  God will always lead His people to victory spiritually, if they only put their faith in Him.

Judges 7:1 says, Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.  Gideon and his army rose up early and camped beside the well of Harod, with the Midianite army to their north.  They were getting ready to engage in battle.  Verse two states, And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.  God told Gideon that he had too many people with him.  God said that with that many people that the people of Israel might claim victory for themselves instead of giving God credit for the victory.  As we go into battle against the forces of evil today, we should not look for great numbers to go with us, but we should go under the power of God and for His glory.  Verse three adds, Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.  God told Gideon to tell the people that whoever was afraid should go home, and twenty-two thousand left, with ten thousand remaining.  I have to wonder how those remaining and Gideon felt, and even the Midianites who were likely watching.  We do not need to question God's methods, and the world should never underestimate the power of God.  Verse four declares, And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.  God said the army was still too big and that Gideon was to bring them down by the water and He would further reduce them.  Gideon was to keep those that God said and send the rest home.  If we are not going under the leadership of God, the size of the group does not matter.  Verse five says, So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.  The next reduction was to be based on how the people drank water, and not on some other physical trait like muscle size or athletic ability.  Verse six states, And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.  From thirty-two thousand, Gideon was now down to an army of three hundred.  By now, if Gideon was not questioning God, and I have to believe that he still had faith in Him, the Midianites must have been sensing an easy victory and questioning Gideon's leadership.  The people of the world often underestimate the power of the people of God, looking at physical facts and not the spiritual power of God.  Verse seven declares, And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.  God told Gideon that He was going to deliver Israel with the three hundred and the others could go home.  If God hasn't called us to a particular situation, then we need to just go home and see what He has for us to do elsewhere.  Verse eight states, So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.  Gideon had an army of three hundred armed with trumpets.  Verse nine adds, And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.  That night, God told Gideon to get down to the host, the army of the Midianites, because God had delivered them into Gideon's hand.  This was stated as an accomplished fact and not a possibility.  If we are following God's guidance, we can be certain of the ultimate victory.  Verse ten continues, But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to the host:  Gideon was told to take Phurah his servant down to the host, or Midian army.  Verse eleven concludes, And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.  Gideon and Phurah went to spy on the Midianites.  We must simply follow God's instructions, no matter how overwhelming the task may seem.

Judges 6:25 says, And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:  God instructed Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal, that had been built by his father.  We likewise need to tear down any altars that have been built by our fathers if the worship other gods.  These do not have to be actual altars, but can be anything that leads to the worship of anything other than God Himself.  Verse twenty-six states, And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.  Gideon was instructed to build an altar to God in place of the altar to Baal, and to offer a burnt sacrifice to God on it.  It is not enough to just quit worshipping false gods, but we must start worshipping the one true God instead.  Verse twenty-seven declares, Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.  Gideon took ten men with him and did what the LORD had instructed him to do.  Because he feared His father, Gideon did this at night.  We need to trust in God day and night and not be afraid of those who oppose Him.  Verse twenty-eight says, And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.  The next morning, the men of the city arose early and saw what had been done.  People today should be able to see what we are doing as followers of Christ.  Verse twenty-nine adds, And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.  The men of the city asked who had done this, and were told that Gideon had.  Gideon may have done what God told him to do at night, but it was still known that he was the one who had done it.  People should know when we do what God instructs us to do today.  Verse thirty states, Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.  The men demanded that Gideon's father bring out Gideon so he could be killed for what he did.  We may find ourselves at danger if we oppose the false gods in the world, but God will always be with us no matter what happens.  Verse thirty-one declares, And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.  Joash, Gideon's father, basically said for them to allow Baal to judge Gideon for himself, since Baal was the one who was offended.  Though God can and does act for Himself, false gods will always need someone to act for them.  Verse thirty-two says, Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.  Gideon was called Jerubaal by his father then, because he stood against Baal.  We need to remember that these were God's people who were worshipping Baal.  Verse thirty-three declares, Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.  All the Midianites and Amalekites gathered to see what would happen.  Verse thirty-four states,, But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.  Then verse thirty-five adds, And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.  We are told that the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, then Gideon began to call for people from the other tribes of Israel to come and help him, even those who had just been calling for his death.  God can change the heart of a person in an instant.  Verse thirty-six declares,  And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,  Gideon put an if in front of obeying God.  He evidently still wasn't certain about God being with Him, but as followers of Christ can be certain that God will always be with us.  Verse thirty-seven adds, 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.  Gideon proposed a test of putting fleece on the floor and having the floor all around be dry the fleece wet.  Gideon should have had faith in God without the test, but he was wanting to know for sure that it was God Who was speaking to Him.  We today need to know for sure that what we are doing is in accordance with God's will, but we should be able to come to this conclusion with any tests.  Verse thirty-eight adds, And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.  The next morning, the fleece was very wet, and Gideon should have had his answer.  Verse thirty-nine continues, And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.  Gideon still wasn't satisfied and proposed another test, this time with the fleece being dry and the floor wet.  Verse forty concludes, And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.  God again did as Gideon asked.  Hopefully, when God calls us to do something today we will act in faith without needing any sign.

Judges 6:11 says, And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.  An angel of the LORD came and sat under an oak near where Gideon threshed wheat by a winepress, while hiding from the Midianites.  I am not sure if Gideon was actually hiding from the Midianites or if he was just working where he was out of their way.  Verse twelve states, And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.  The angel tells Gideon that God is with him and that Gideon was a man of valor, which does not fit with a man who was hiding.  We should only have to hear that God is with us to make us people of valor.  Verse thirteen declares, And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.  Gideon questioned whether God was with them, since they were under the power of the Midianites.  Gideon had heard of the power of God from the older people of Israel, speaking of their deliverance from Egypt.  He evidently had not heard as much about their part in the covenant with God.  It is not enough to know about God's power unless we enter into a personal relationship with Him.  Verse fourteen proclaims, And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?  God's answer to Gideon was to go in might, which would be through the power of God, because God was going to save Israel through him.  If we are questioning the power of God, the first thing that He may do is to send us into the battle.  Verse fifteen says, And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.  Gideon did not see himself as a man of valor, but as the least of his family, which was a poor family.  We need to see ourselves as God sees us as we do what He calls us to do, and not as the world may see us.  Verse sixteen states, And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.  God said that He would be with Gideon and that He would be successful.  We have that same assurance as followers of Christ today.  Verse seventeen says, And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.  Gideon asked for a sign that God was with him.  We today do not need to ask for signs that God is with us, because if we are a Christian, then the Holy Spirit is with us to give us that assurance.  Verse eighteen says, Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.  Gideon asked that the angel remain until he brought him a present, and the angel said he would.  Verse nineteen declares, And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.  Gideon prepared a meal and brought it to the angel.  The only thing that we can bring to God that matters is our self.  Verse twenty states, And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.  Then verse twenty-one adds, Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes.  Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.  The angel told Gideon to take the flesh and cakes and put them on a rock, and then he touched the flesh and cakes and fire rose out of the rock to consume them.  Then the angel left.  This should have been sign enough for Gideon.  When God gives us signs today that He is with us, why do we not put our complete faith in Him at all times?  Verse twenty-two declares, And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.  When the angel of the LORD left, Gideon cried out to God, since he had seen an angel of the LORD face to face.  We as followers of Christ have come face to face spiritually with Him, and He is much greater than any angel.  Verse twenty-three proclaims,  And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.  God told Gideon to be at peace, that he would not die.  We have an even  greater assurance from God today.  We  will not die spiritually if we put our faith in Christ, so we should be at peace in the world.  Verse twenty-four states, Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.  Gideon built an altar to God at that time.  We need to allow our hearts too be altars to God once we accept Christ as our Savioe and Lord.

Judges 6:1 says, And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.  The pattern continues to repeat itself.  God delivers Israel, they serve Him for a period of time, and then do evil in His sight once again.  God then removes His protection from them.  As followers of Christ, God has redeemed us forever, but too often we still do evil in His sight, and when we do, we cannot expect Him to protect us.  Verse two states, And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.  This time, it was the Midianites who would defeat the Israelites.  It was not always the same enemy that Israel faced, just as it is not always the same enemy that we face today.  Instead of being able to stand up to the Midianites through the power of God, the people of God fled to caves to hide.  Verse three declares, And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;  The Midianites were joined by the Amalekites in their war against Israel.  The enemies of God often unite in opposition to Him.  Verse four adds, And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.  The Midianites and Amalekites destroyed all of the food sources of Israel, as well as their animals that would be used to produce crops.  When people are without faith in God, and then all their food sources are cut off, it is much easier to defeat them.  Verse five says, For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude, for both they and their camels were without number, and they entered into the land to destroy it.  The Midianites and the others did not just come to raid Israel, but they came to stay.  They brought their cattle and camels with them and pitched their tents in the land.  If we allow evil into our lives today, it will come to stay as long as we are not following God's guidance in our lives.  Verse six says, And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.  Once the people of Israel were greatly impoverished, they again called out to God.  Nothing gets the attention of people like being in desperate need.  As long as the people of Israel were prosperous, they ignored God, but when God removed His protection from them and they were defeated, they called on Him again.  We need to serve God in the good times just as much as we do in the bad, but too often there is a tendency to forget Him, but we cannot afford to. or we will soon find ourselves in the bad times again, at least spiritually.  Verse seven declares, And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,  Then verse eight adds, That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;  When the people of Israel called out to God, He heard them, just as He will hear us today when we call out to Him.  God began by raising up a prophet to remind them what He had already done for them.  He had brought them out of Egypt and the house of bondage.  We need to never forget that God has brought us out of the bondage of sin if we are followers of Christ.  Verse nine continues, And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;  God reminded them that He gave them the land.  They did not defeat their enemies by their own power, but by the power of God.  Verse ten concludes, And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.  God said there was a covenant between the people of Israel and Him, and that they broke it.  If we find ourselves struggling because of sin in our lives today as followers of Christ, it will be because we have ceased to be faithful to God.