There are several instances of godly covenants in the Old Testament. A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. GOD and Gideon established such an agreement in the Old Testament Judges 6-7. Let us review some benefits of agreement with our Holy God.
Berith is Hebrew for covenant meaning “to come together.” In Greek this is Suntheke, defined as a compact, treaty, or alliance. GOD establishes covenant with Gideon not between equals but the omniscient (all-knowing) GOD showing blessed revelation and loving favor on Gideon (Isaiah 14:24, 55:9; Psalm 103:11).
In Judges 6, Israel has rejected following GOD’s commandments and because of this disobedience is impoverished by the Midianites. (Impoverished is being made poor; deprived of strength, richness, or fertility by depletion or draining of something essential). The Israelites cry to GOD who sends a prophet to explain what is happening (Judges 6:1-10). Although Israel has broken covenant, GOD keeps the alliance.
GOD demonstrates the covenant with Israel is still in effect through the person of Gideon. An angel of the LORD finds Gideon threshing wheat in a wine press (to hide the wheat from being stolen by the Midianites). The angel greets him saying: “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour [valor].” (To show valor is to have fearless courage– remember Gideon is threshing wheat hiding inside a wine press!) Gideon of course questions the angel. Gideon asks for a sign and brings an offering to the angel. The angel reaches with his staff to the offering and it is consumed in a fire; the angel then vanishes. Then GOD commands Gideon to build an altar (Judges 6:11-24).
By bringing an offering and building an altar Gideon shows respect for the LORD (something we should all be doing, Selah). Then the LORD instructs Gideon to tear down the altar of Baal (symbolizing satanic idolatry) and a grove of trees by it; then he was to build an altar to GOD offering a burnt sacrifice with the wood from the grove. Gideon does this (Judges 6:25-27).
By his faithfulness Gideon shows that he is a mighty man of valor who is obedient to the LORD. When the men of the city (who worshiped Baal) want to kill him the spirit of the LORD has Gideon blow a trumpet to rally the tribes of Abiezer in aid along with other tribes (Judges 6:28-35).
Even after these powerful demonstrations Gideon asks two additional signs of the LORD for verification. Gideon asks for different signs using a woolen fleece (this is where there concept of putting out a fleece historically comes). Gideon was aware that this might anger GOD (Judges 6:36-40). However GOD was merciful and showed Gideon that he was to help save Israel from Midianite oppression.
So Gideon and those who were with him were going to fight the Midianites. Gideon was faithful and trusted in GOD and did as commanded (Judges 7:1-8). GOD even told him to go down into the enemy camp because it was given to him! (If he was afraid, his servant, Purah, could go with him…) So Gideon and Purah went down to the enemy camp to spy. While there, Gideon overheard two soldiers discussing a dream which was interpreted to mean that Gideon would defeat the Midianites (Judges 7:9-15).
Gideon was encouraged by this conversation and organized his troops to fulfill GOD’s promise. Despite fear and circumstances, the Israelites prevailed against the Midianites (with only 300 soldiers). Gideon then called on the people of Israel to allow the LORD to rule over them (Judges 8:23). Gideon was rewarded with many sons and died “in a good old age” (Judges 8:30-32).
GOD is calling all Christians to walk in faithfulness. Remember Jesus, HIS Son and our LORD, told Jairus even, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” (Mark 5:36)
Lesson Learned (witnessed by other Bible verses):
- The LORD is always faithful to those who are obedient to HIS Word (Isaiah 1:1-18, verses 19-20 especially)
- GOD has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT)
- We don’t need signs from GOD– HIS Word is trustworthy (Mark 11:22)
