Judges 6:16

And the Lord said vnto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites, as one man. Judges 6:16 (KJV)

The book of Judges is a historical account of Israel’s tumultuous period after Joshua’s death. During this time Israel faced cycles of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Judges 6:16 occurs in the story of Gideon, one of Israel’s judges, who was called by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

Prior to verse 16 Gideon expressed doubts about God’s presence and ability to deliver Israel. He questioned why they were experiencing oppression if God was with them. Gideon hesitated to accept his calling as a deliverer, feeling inadequate and from the weakest clan. In verse 15 Gideon asked God for a sign to confirm His presence.

In response to Gideon’s doubts the Lord assured him, saying, “Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” The Lord also said, “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of Midian: do not I send thee?” God promised His presence and empowered Gideon to defeat the Midianites. Gideon would not face the battle alone but would have God by his side. This reassurance was meant to instil confidence in Gideon and to demonstrate that victory would come through God’s strength, not Gideon’s own abilities.

God further assures Gideon that he would be able to “smite the Midianites as one man,” meaning that with God’s help Gideon would have the power to defeat the Midianites with ease, as if they were a single individual. Likewise God promises that Gideon would be able to deliver Israel from the Midianites, relying on divine strength rather than his limited resources.

Judges 6:16 teaches several valuable lessons.

God’s Presence: Just as God promised to be with Gideon He assures believers today of His presence in their lives and does not abandon His people.

God’s Power: Gideon’s story reminds us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that when we feel inadequate God can empower us to accomplish great things according to His purposes.

Trusting God: Gideon’s doubts and questions are relatable but he ultimately chose to trust God and accept his calling, showing us that we can put our trust in God even when facing challenging circumstances.

God’s Faithfulness: The story demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises; despite Gideon’s initial doubts God remained faithful and enabled him to triumph over the Midianites, and we can rely on Him in every situation.

In summary Judges 6:16 highlights God’s assurance of His presence and empowerment to Gideon. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness, His ability to work through our weaknesses, and the importance of trusting Him.