Overview of Day 91: Gideon's Story (2026)
Host: Father Mike Schmitz — Bible in a Year (Ascension)
Readings: Judges 6–8 (Gideon), Ruth 3, Psalm 135 (RSV-2CE)
Focus: Gideon’s call, military victory by God’s power, his later failure (idolatry), Ruth’s request of Boaz as kinsman‑redeemer, and a psalm praising God’s sovereignty.
Key readings and structure
- Judges 6–8: The call of Gideon, signs (the fleece and the angel’s consuming fire), selection of 300 men, the surprise victory over Midian, aftermath (Gideon’s ephod/idolatry), 40 years’ rest, Gideon’s death and Israel’s relapse.
- Ruth 3: Naomi instructs Ruth to approach Boaz at the threshing floor; Ruth asks him to be her kinsman‑redeemer; Boaz accepts provisionally because a nearer kinsman has priority.
- Psalm 135: Praise of God’s sovereign actions, contrast between the living God and powerless idols.
Summary — Judges 6–8 (Gideon)
- Context: Israel again does evil; God allows Midianite oppression. Israelites cry out and a prophet recounts God’s past deliverances.
- Call of Gideon: An angel appears to Gideon (who is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide); calls him “mighty man of valor.” Gideon doubts and asks for signs (meal consumed by fire; the fleece tests).
- Initial faithfulness: Gideon tears down his father’s Baal altar (by night) and begins to gather Israel.
- The fleece: Gideon requests signs twice—dew on fleece alone, then dry fleece alone—to confirm God’s call.
- Army reduced: God tells Gideon the army is too large; fear of vaunting themselves. From thousands, God narrows it to 300 men (the lappers) as a visible demonstration that victory is God’s work.
- Night attack and victory: Gideon overhears a dream that foretells his success, divides the 300 into companies with trumpets, lamps in jars, and shouts; Midianite camp panics and destroys itself; Israel pursues and kills Midianite leaders Oreb and Zeeb.
- Aftermath and failure: Gideon refuses kingship; requests the spoils to make an ephod (priestly garment) from the gold. He places it in Ophrah and it becomes an object of worship—a snare to Gideon and his family. After his death, Israel lapses back into Baal worship.
- Outcome: Midian subdued; Israel enjoys ~40 years of peace; Gideon dies and is buried.
Summary — Ruth 3 (Ruth and Boaz)
- Naomi counsels Ruth to approach Boaz (their kinsman‑redeemer) on the threshing floor at night.
- Ruth follows Naomi’s plan: uncovers Boaz’s feet and lies down; asks him to “spread your garment” over her (a cultural request for protection/marriage).
- Boaz responds kindly, praises Ruth’s character, agrees to do the kinsman‑redeemer role if the nearer kinsman declines.
- He gives Ruth six measures of barley as a gift and instructs her to wait for the legal resolution (which is taken up in Ruth 4).
Summary — Psalm 135
- A liturgical praise celebrating God’s sovereign rule over heaven and earth, his mighty acts (e.g., plagues on Egypt, giving Canaan), and the futility of idols (silver/gold crafted by hands).
- Call for Israel, Aaron, Levi, and those who fear the Lord to bless and praise God.
Host commentary & main takeaways
- God calls weak, fearful people (Gideon’s hesitation) and accomplishes deliverance by his power, not human strength (300 men).
- Signs and spiritual assurance have a place (Gideon’s fleece), but the narrative emphasizes reliance on God, not on human tricks or numbers.
- Spiritual success can lead to spiritual danger: Gideon destroys Baal altars but later fashions an ephod that becomes an idol—showing how good intentions and sacred objects can become snares when they replace true worship of God.
- Ruth’s scene introduces the Old Testament role of the kinsman‑redeemer (goel): a family member who redeems land, rights, or a childless widow—an image that prefigures Christ as our Redeemer.
- Psalm 135 reinforces that God alone is sovereign; idols are powerless.
Notable quotes / memorable lines
- From Scripture: “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.” (Angel to Gideon)
- From host: “We can take our version of God… and twist the true and living God. That is always a snare.”
- Host pastoral note: “He is proud of you, and he loves you very much.”
Practical reflections / action items
- Personal inventory: What “ephods” (well‑intentioned practices, objects, or ideas) have become distractions from worshiping the true God?
- Trust exercise: Reflect on areas where God may be asking you to rely on his power rather than your own resources.
- Theological link: Consider Jesus as the ultimate kinsman‑redeemer—how does that shape your view of redemption and belonging?
- Next read/listen: Judges 9 (the fallout after Gideon’s death) and Ruth 4 (the legal resolution and Boaz’s redemption).
Why this matters
- The Gideon story models God’s pattern: calling the unlikely, accomplishing victory by grace, and warning that spiritual victories can be undone by idolatry. Ruth shows faithful loyalty and the social/legal mechanisms of redemption that point forward to Christ. Psalm 135 anchors both with worship of God’s incomparable sovereignty.