Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryJudges 6

The Inroads of the MidianitesThis passage tells us how Israel fell back into sin after enjoying a long period of peace. Even though God had rescued them before, they returned to doing evil and worshipping idols. Because of this, God allowed them to suffer under the power of the Midianites. Their troubles show that turning away from God always leads to pain and loss, and that only He can truly help His people.v. 1: The Israelites sinned again and did evil in the sight of the Lord

v. 2-5: God allowed the Midianites to defeat Israel as punishment for their sin (Judges 6:2 ). The Midianites were not strong or noble; they were like bands of robbers, and Israel had already beaten them long ago (Numbers 31:7 ). But now, because Israel had left God, even this weak enemy became a serious threat. The Midianites came in great numbers like a swarm of locusts, stealing and ruining everything. The Israelites became so afraid that they hid in caves and dens instead of fighting back. Their hearts were weak because they had turned away from God. The land was ruined, and the people were left with nothing, just as the prophets had warned would happen (Leviticus 26:21,24; Deuteronomy 32:21 ). When God is not with a nation, even the smallest enemy can defeat them. The Israelites lost their crops and animals because enemy bands would come during harvest and take everything (Judges 6:3-5 ). This was God’s just punishment, because they had used their blessings to worship idols instead of honoring God (Hosea 2:8-9 ).

v. 6: After seven years of suffering, Israel finally realized that only God could save them . They cried out to the Lord

The LORD Sends a Prophet Before DeliveranceThis passage shows that even when the Israelites only turned to God in their deepest trouble, God was still ready to hear their cries. He wanted them to understand their sins and turn back to Him with real repentance. God’s mercy is great, and He wants people to return to Him, not just to escape their problems but to change their hearts (there is forgiveness with you, that you may be feared, Psalm 130:4 ).v. 7: When the Israelites finally cried out to the Lord

v. 8: Before sending an angel or a savior, God sent a prophet to teach the people and call them to repentance . This prophet (whose name we do not know) reminded the Israelites of their sins and encouraged them to confess and change. God wanted their hearts, not just their complaints about trouble. When God sends teachers and faithful leaders to a nation, it is a sign that He wants to show them mercy (Job 33:23-24; Psalm 80:19 ).

v. 9: The prophet reminded Israel of all the good things God had done for them. God brought them out of slavery in Egypt, saved them from their enemies, and gave them a good land . If they were suffering now, it was not because God was weak or unwilling, but because they had turned away from Him. God had always been kind and faithful. Their troubles were the result of their own choices.

v. 10: The prophet explained that God’s commands were simple and fair: He asked Israel to worship Him alone and not fear or serve other gods . God had protected them before, so there was no reason to be afraid of the so-called gods of the Amorites. But Israel had not obeyed God’s voice. Their disobedience was the real cause of their suffering. True repentance is when we are sorry for disobeying God, not just when we are sorry for the trouble our sin brings us.

The Call of Gideon This section tells how God chose Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. Gideon was not a famous or powerful man, but God called him while he was working quietly. The story shows how God uses humble people and strengthens them for His work, even when they feel weak or afraid. v. 11: The angel of the Lord

v. 12: The angel greeted Gideon, saying, "The Lord

v. 13: Gideon answered with doubt, asking why all these troubles had happened if the Lord

v. 14: The Lord

v. 15: Gideon replied that his family was the weakest in Manasseh and that he was the least in his father’s house. He felt unworthy and unable to do such a big task.

v. 16: The Lord

v. 17: Gideon asked for a sign to be sure that it was the Lord

v. 18: Gideon asked the angel to wait while he brought an offering. The angel agreed to stay until Gideon returned.

v. 19: Gideon prepared a young goat and unleavened bread, then brought them to the angel under the oak tree.

v. 20: The angel told Gideon to put the meat and bread on a rock and pour out the broth. Gideon obeyed.

v. 21: The angel touched the offering with the tip of his staff, and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and bread. Then the angel disappeared from Gideon’s sight.

v. 22: Gideon realized he had seen the angel of the Lord

v. 23: But the Lord

v. 24: Gideon built an altar there and called it "The Lord

Gideon Overturns the Altar of Baal; Gideon Rescued from the MobThis passage shows how God began to prepare Gideon for the mission of delivering Israel by first commanding him to address idolatry in his own family. Gideon’s first task was to destroy the altar of Baal and replace it with an altar to the Lord

v. 27: Gideon obeyed God’s command. He gathered ten of his servants to help him destroy the altar and build a new one. Gideon chose to do this at night because he feared the reaction of his father’s household and the townspeople. Even though he was afraid, Gideon still followed God’s instructions. This shows that faith doesn’t mean we won’t feel fear, but it does mean we trust God enough to do what He asks, even when it’s hard.

v. 28-30: The next morning, the townspeople discovered that the altar of Baal had been destroyed and a new altar to the Lord

v. 31: Gideon’s father, Joash, defended his son. Although Joash had previously supported Baal worship, he now spoke against it. He challenged the people, saying that if Baal were truly a god, he could defend himself. Joash’s argument silenced the mob, and they did not harm Gideon. This moment showed that Baal was powerless, while the Lord

v. 32: From this point on, Gideon was known as Jerubbaal. His name stood as a challenge to Baal and a testimony to the living God. It reminded Israel that Baal could not protect himself or his worshippers. This event also encouraged the Israelites to follow Gideon, knowing that God was with him. Gideon’s obedience was the first step in leading Israel to victory and freedom.

Gideon's FleeceAfter Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal, the Midianites and their allies gathered their forces to attack the Israelites. But God was preparing Gideon to lead the Israelites to victory. This passage describes how Gideon sought confirmation from God through miraculous signs, known as the "fleece of wool." These signs strengthened Gideon's faith and showed that the victory would come from God's power, not Gideon's own strength.v. 33: The Midianites, Amalekites, and other groups from the east crossed the Jordan River and set up camp in the valley of Jezreel, near Gideon's hometown. This was a familiar pattern, as these enemies had been raiding the Israelites during harvest time each year (Judges 6:3 ). But this time, God had raised up Gideon to defeat them.

v. 34-35: The Spirit of the Lord

v. 36-37: Gideon asked God for a sign to confirm that he would truly use Gideon to save Israel. He asked that a fleece of wool placed on the threshing floor would be wet with dew while the ground around it remained dry. God granted this sign, showing that He was with Gideon and would empower him for the task.

v. 38-40: Gideon then asked for another sign, this time requesting that the fleece be dry while the ground around it was wet with dew. Again, God provided the sign exactly as Gideon had requested. Though Gideon's request for confirmation seemed to show a lack of faith, God graciously gave him these signs to strengthen his resolve. The Lord