Gideon

When Midianite raiders devastated Israel year after year, Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the enemy. The angel of the Lord appeared and greeted him: "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." Gideon's response revealed his doubt: if the Lord was with Israel, why was all this happening?

God called Gideon to deliver Israel, but Gideon needed much convincing. He asked for a sign, preparing a sacrifice that was consumed by fire from the angel's staff. Still uncertain, Gideon set out the famous fleece: first asking God to make it wet while the ground stayed dry, then reversing the request. God graciously confirmed His calling both times.

When Gideon gathered an army of 32,000 men, God said there were too many—Israel might boast in their own strength. After fearful men were sent home and a final test at the water, only 300 remained. These Gideon divided into three companies, armed with trumpets, empty pitchers, and torches. At night, they surrounded the Midianite camp and at Gideon's signal, broke the pitchers, revealed the torches, blew the trumpets, and shouted. The Lord set the Midianites against each other, and they fled in terror.

After this great victory, the people wanted to make Gideon king. He refused, saying, "The Lord shall rule over you." However, he made a golden ephod that became a snare, and despite forty years of peace, his family later fell into ruin. Gideon's story shows both the heights of faith and the dangers that can follow victory.