Judges 6:14
And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This commissioning occurred during Israel's seventh year of Midianite oppression, when nomadic raiders systematically destroyed Israel's crops and livestock, reducing the population to poverty and hiding in caves (6:1-6). Gideon came from Manasseh's tribe, specifically the clan of Abiezer in Ophrah. His father Joash maintained a Baal altar with an Asherah pole (6:25), indicating syncretistic worship compromising covenant faithfulness—the root cause of Midianite oppression. The historical context shows Israel's dire situation: economically devastated, militarily powerless, and spiritually compromised. Into this darkness, God raised up an unlikely deliverer from an obscure family. The pattern of divine calling parallels other biblical commissions: Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:10-12), Isaiah in the temple (Isaiah 6:8-9), Jeremiah before birth (Jeremiah 1:5-10), Paul on Damascus road (Acts 9:15-16). Each involved:
- God's initiative
- human inadequacy and protest
- divine reassurance of presence
- empowerment for the task.
Gideon's subsequent actions—destroying Baal's altar (6:25-32), gathering an army (6:34-35), seeking confirmation through fleeces (6:36-40)—show the gradual strengthening of faith through obedience. His ultimate victory with 300 men against 135,000 Midianites (7:7-8:10) demonstrated that divine calling plus human obedience, however weak, accomplishes God's purposes when He fights for His people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's command to 'go in this thy might' challenge you to step out in faith despite feeling inadequate for the task He's calling you to?
- What does the rhetorical question 'have not I sent thee?' teach about the relationship between divine calling and the courage and resources needed to fulfill it?
- In what specific areas of your life do you need to distinguish between human strength (which you lack) and divine strength (which God supplies to those He sends)?
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD's direct commission to Gideon reveals divine calling's paradoxical nature. The phrase 'the LORD looked upon him' (vayifen elav Yahweh, וַיִּפֶן אֵלָיו יְהוָה) indicates God's personal attention and favor—the same verb panah (פָּנָה) describes God turning His face toward someone in blessing. The command 'Go in this thy might' (lekh bekoḥaka zeh, לֵךְ בְּכֹחֲךָ זֶה) is profoundly ironic—what 'might' does fearful Gideon possess while hiding in a winepress? The answer lies in the preceding context: God's presence ('the LORD is with thee,' v. 12) and divine commissioning constitute Gideon's strength. The might God refers to isn't Gideon's natural abilities but the power God Himself supplies through His calling. This echoes Paul's later affirmation: 'I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me' (Philippians 4:13) and 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness' (2 Corinthians 12:9). The promise 'thou shalt save Israel' (vehoshata et-Yisrael, וְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל) uses the Hebrew verb yasha (יָשַׁע), meaning to deliver or save—the root of Joshua/Jesus' name. The rhetorical question 'have not I sent thee?' (halo shelachticha, הֲלֹא שְׁלַחְתִּיךָ) brooks no argument. Divine sending guarantees divine empowerment and success. Those whom God calls, He equips; those He sends, He strengthens.