What does Judges 6:33 Mean?

Verse Meaning

"The primary matter in the Gideon narrative is not the deliverance itself, but rather something more personal, namely, Gideon"s struggle to believe God"s promise.... [source][source]

[source]

" Judges 6:33 to Judges 7:18 is arranged in the following concentric pattern:[source]

"AThe Spirit-endowed Gideon mobilized four tribes against the Midianites, though lacking confidence in God"s promise ( Judges 6:33-35).BGideon sought a sign from God with the fleece to confirm the promise that the Lord would give Midian into his hand ( Judges 6:36-40).C.With the fearful Israelites having departed, God directed Gideon to go down to the water for the further reduction of his force ( Judges 7:1-8).C"With fear still in Gideon himself, God directed Gideon to go down to the enemy camp to overhear the enemy ( Judges 7:9-11).B"God provided a sign to Gideon with the dream of the Midianite to confirm the promise that the Lord would give Midian into his hand ( Judges 7:12-14).A"The worshiping Gideon mobilized his force of300 for a surprise attack against the Midianites, fully confident in God"s promise ( Judges 7:15-18). [source][source]

[source]

"The reduction of Gideon"s army is a familiar story often told from the perspective of emphasizing God"s ability to deliver whether by many or by few. While this is true, such an explanation falls short of doing justice in this context. The context is dealing with a struggle within Gideon himself." ^[1] [source]

Context Summary

The good sense of Joash saved his son. "Of what use is Baal to us," said he, "if he cannot take care of himself?" Gideon had stood the divine test; can you wonder that the Spirit of Jehovah, whom we know as the Holy Spirit, came upon Gideon and wrought mightily through his submitted life? Oh, to be pliant to the Spirit of Christ, as clothes to the body! With heroic courage he blew the trumpet of revolt, regardless of Midian, and at its notes the whole country aroused as from the spell of a bad enchantment.

But amid the excitement of the hour, the young leader craved one more assurance. He asked two questions. Was it possible that the Spirit had come on him in an especial manner? The answer was in the affirmative, for the fleece-which represented himself-contained a bowlful of water, while the floor was dry. Was it possible, also, that the same Spirit that had come on himself would descend on the people who should gather to his summons? Again the answer was in the affirmative, for the floor was wet. God's promises are always "Yea" and "Amen." He cannot fail you. See 2 Corinthians 1:18-22. [source]

Chapter Summary: Judges 6

¹  The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
⁸  A prophet rebukes them
¹¹  An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
¹⁷  Gideon's present is consumed with fire
²⁴  Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
²⁸  Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
³³  Gideon's army
³⁶  Gideon's signs