Gideon’s task to overcome the Midianites had to start close to home. His father was one of the idol worshippers. Gideon was given the orders to throw down the altar of Baal and to cut down the grove that was beside it, then he was to build an alter to God and use a bullock of his fathers to offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood from the grove. Gideon followed the commands. He took with him ten men and by night and carried out his task. It was done at night because of his fear of his father’s household and the men of the city.

When the destruction of the altar was discovered, the men inquired as to who had done this thing and Gideon was discovered. There was quite an uproar as the people sought vengeance on Gideon. Joash, Gideons father told them that Baal was the one to seek revenge not the people. No one would have expected this lowly farmer to have done so much for God, but his task was not finished.

Gideon was now to do battle with the Midianites and Amalekites who had camped in the valley of Jezreel. Gideon sent messengers throughout Manasseh, Asher, Naphtali and Zebulun to join in the battle to save Israel. Once again, Gideon wants God to show him a sign that God will be with him, in fact he asks a second time for proof from God. It seems he is still not believing that he such a lowly person would be leading the army of God. The test Gideon asked for was for dew to come upon a fleece and not on the ground. When he woke it was just like he asked, yet he asked for one more test, this time the fleece to be dry and the ground to be wet. God in His mercy showed Gideon that He was with him.

When the people gathered to Gideon he had a great army, so many in fact that God commanded Gideon to reduce the size of his army. The reasoning was if the great army won the battle God knew they would believe they did it themselves. God reduced the number by twenty- two thousand, leaving ten thousand. Gideon most likely thought this will be plenty of soldiers, but God was not finished sending people home. In fact, God reduced the numbers down to three hundred. Perhaps the reason God allowed Gideon to test Him so much was so that when the army was reduced Gideon knew without a doubt God was with him. That night God had Gideon to take Phurah his servant and go to the enemy’s camp. They heard the soldiers speaking of the sword of Gideon and how God would deliver Israel by that sword. Hearing this he knew Midian would be delivered to his army and it was.

Gideon’s character is shown throughout this account. Gideon always gave God the glory for the victories. Then the battle was over Gideon, the people would have made Gideon their king, but he refused. He nor his sons would rule over the people, he said only Jehovah would rule over them. This farmer who thought he could do nothing because of his being poor and from a small tribe became one of the greatest of the judges. God can use the most unexpected people.