A Scared Young Man
What does Gideon do in response to the divine visitation?
First, he asks the wrong question.
He wants to know why this trouble had happened. As we’ve seen from verses 8-10, God had already told the people, through the unnamed prophet why they were being oppressed.
God answers Gideon in verse 14,
“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you?’” (Judges 6:14, HCSB).
Second, Gideon pleads his own inability.
He claims, quite rightly, to be from a weak and minor family and the youngest child in that family. God promises to be with Gideon. Have you noticed that Yahweh is extremely gracious with Gideon?
Third, Gideon pleads for a sign.
This is the first sign in the account of Gideon. He makes a meal goat’s meat and soup which God consumes by fire. Gideon worshipped God at that place and built an altar to Him in that place.
But Gideon is not ready to go strike the Midianites, not yet.
Next Week: A first strike
Mark Riser - Apologist 