Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As indicated by Judges 6:13, although Gideon's father (as noted in Judges 6:30) worshipped Ba'al, Gideon himself had apparently remained devoted to God. I would say that God's choice of him to deliver Israel at that time was consistent with Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 of God choosing lowly things to shame the strong (that is, to counteract the predominant worship of Ba'al), and to make clear that it was God's power alone that made Gideon's accomplishments possible (as also indicated in Judges 7:1-8, when God narrowed Gideon's troops down to only 300 men).

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Donna Williams Supporter

I believe it was because the LORD looked upon Gideon and saw a mighty man of valor, as stated in verse 12.

I would say that it was because the LORD knew that he would carry out all that he was commanded to do. 

Gideon was a man of great courage, and the Holy Spirit empowered him to defeat the Midianites!

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Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

There's nothing strange or unusual about God calling a man into His service who has family members who don't honor Jehovah as their God. Nowhere is it implied in scripture, that in order to be chosen by God your whole family has to also be in league with Him. I don't think this case is that serious, however. Gideon's family had done what we refer to as, "fallen away." 

I think Gideon's response to the Angel of the Lord at being commissioned says a lot. Gideon was surprised that the Lord would choose his clan, which was the weakest, and that HE would be chosen, him being the runt of his family (Jdg 6:15). Plus, it was obvious that Gideon wasn't a brave soul; he was threshing wheat at a winepress in order to hide it from their enemy, the Midianites. (that ain't where wheat is threshed)

But the real tell in this tale is what Gideon says when the Angel said "The Lord is with you." Gideon is very surprised by that statement. If God is with them, why are they being oppressed by their enemy in such a way? They'd been told about the miracles during the deliverance of their forefathers from Egypt; where was God now! I think that tells us why some of the Israelites decided to serve a pagan deity. They were afraid not to!

It's also stated in the narrative the reason God had allowed the situation to deteriorate the way it had. He had delivered them from Egypt and gave them the land that had previously belonged to the Amorites, only to have them fear the gods of the Amorites more than they feared Him. (vs 10)

Gideon accused God of having abandoned them, and that He "delivered them into the hands of the Midianites" (vs 13). Consequently, many of the people jumped ship. It's what people do! 

Israel had been influenced to live the way the pagans in the land were living, instead of influencing the pagans to live according to their God's standards. It's what "religious people" do.

It's the reason we read so often in scripture the encouragement to "Wait on the Lord" (Psalm 27:14, 37:9, 62:5, Isaiah 40:31). 

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them (the people of the land); for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deut 31:6) Those were Moses' words, great words of encouragement to the people. Some had soon forgotten them. 

When you build houses and live comfortably in them, and forget the Lord who brought you out of slavery, God will not forsake you. When you become the employer instead of the employee, and you forget to thank the God who brought you through the hard times, God will not forsake you. 

"Now, therefore, says the Lord, Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning" (Joel 2:12). 

"Return, O backsliding children," says the Lord; "for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jeremiah 3:14,15).

Did you hear that? God puts His team together from the B-team and practice squad. The only requirement to be on Jehovah's team is for you to show up! 

The virgin Mary wasn't proclaimed to be from a holy family. The angel who came in to her said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women" (Luke 1:28)... Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God (vs 30). 
Wow! It doesn't get any better than that!

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Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Judges 6:25: And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, "Take thy fathers young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Ba’-al that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it."

The angel of the Lord our God who was sent to the tribes of Israel, who brought them out of Egypt had promised them, “I will never break my covenant with them.” The Lord who appeared to Abraham was the Lord who spoke to him when he went from the land of Ur of the Chaldees to Haran. Abraham departed from Haran and went to Canaan unto the place of Sichem on the plain of Mo’-reh where the Lord appeared to him and said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." Abraham’s seed that went into this land, they obeyed not the voice of the Lord to drive out those who were in the land and throw down their altars. This generation was gathered unto their fathers and a new generation came who knew not the Lord or the works which were done to them. (Gen 11:31,12:6-7/Jud 1:21,2:1-3,10)

The angel of the Lord God that came and sat under an oak tree was the Lord who looked upon Gideon and spoke to him and he found grace in His sight. (Jud 6:1,14,17,19) They were the chosen people of God the Father whom He had chosen and had set them to be the ones whom He had sworn to their Fathers, for He loved them. (Deut 7:1,6-8) One being ready to circumcise the foreskin of their heart, shall find grace in the sight of the Lord as Gideon. (Deu 10:16,30:6) He was then led to hearken to the voice of the Lord, the test in faith that he went through.

Gideon, who was a “mighty Man of valour,” a humble child of God the Father, had a blessing of wisdom and understanding. For the Lord God then gave him favor in the eye of the angel of the Lord who stood before him, for he had a contrite spirit in him. Having a contrite spirit in him, he did not lose his heart. Lord Jesus reveals unto us one having a contrite spirit in him in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Pharisee boasted while praying of his skills, and the publican smote his breast and said, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” The publican went justified to his house as Gideon. When Gideon threw down the altars of Ba’-al and built unto the Lord God, the men of the city came to his father that he may die. “Gideon was justified and not despised by his father Jo’-ash for the men who stood before him.” (Jud 6:31/Luke 18:10-14)

Psalm 51:17: The sacrifice of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise. Deuteronomy 4:31 (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

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