Consider All The Facts

Then Gideon son of Joash returned home. He had seventy sons born to him, for he had many wives. [Judges 8.29-30]

I think we have, for the most part, underestimated Gideon. Understandably, conclusions about Gideon's character have been made about Gideon because he we threshing wheat while hidden at the bottom of a winepress. Additionally, Gideon is viewed by many as "weak" because of his own confession of being so and because of his apparent uncertainty evidenced in the fleece story.

However, the verse above reveals something about Gideon that is, for the most part, overlooked. He was quite virile. Fathering seventy sons from many wives is not the work of a weak man!

Another overlooked clue about Gideon is found in the dream of the man in the Midianite camp and its interpretation:

That night the LORD said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.” So Gideon took Purah and went down to the edge of the enemy camp. The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! Gideon crept up just as a man was telling his companion about a dream. The man said, “I had this dream, and in my dream a loaf of barley bread came tumbling down into the Midianite camp. It hit a tent, turned it over, and knocked it flat!” His companion answered, “Your dream can mean only one thing—God has given Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite, victory over Midian and all its allies!” [Judges 7.9-14]

While it is fact that Gideon maintained a low-key public presence, somehow he was well-known among the Midianites! They knew him as "Gideon son of Joash." And, just as we know Gideon was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress, these Midianites concluded Gideon was the loaf of Barley bread in the one man's dream. Somehow, Gideon was easily identified by his association with bread.

Furthermore, let's look at what Gideon told his three hundred warriors to shout:

Then he said to them, “Keep your eyes on me. When I come to the edge of the camp, do just as I do. As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” [Judges 7.17-18]

What significance would it have been to add "and for Gideon" if Gideon had not been well-known? Gideon was no insignificant public figure!

While it would seem Gideon maintained a low profile, it is obvious from the facts of his story that he was not arrogant in his standing as a well-known, powerful and virile man in the area.

I am sure there are strong arguments contrary to what I am suggesting here, but I believe the facts pointed out here are worthy of consideration too. We must take into account all the facts of the Bible, not just those that support our particular mindset.

Father, help me to always be open to what Your Word says, and not just what I have grown to think it says!