Judges 6:13
*Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:13 NASB-95)* Gideon, who lived during the era of the Judges around 1200–1100 BC, poses a heartfelt question that resonates with anyone who has ever felt abandoned or neglected. He stands in Ophrah of the tribe of Manasseh, in the northern part of Israel. The mention of Midian, a region east of the Jordan River, draws attention to the foreign oppressors who constantly harassed Israel during this period. Gideon’s words reveal his deep struggle to reconcile the stories of God’s mighty works in the past with the current suffering under Midianite rule.
By asking *“if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13)* Gideon expresses a very human frustration: the discrepancy between the power of God he has heard about and the seemingly hopeless reality he faces. He specifically recalls the miraculous exodus from Egypt, an event often retold to emphasize God’s faithfulness and power. Yet Gideon laments that these wonders appear absent in his present crisis. This heartfelt questioning reflects a longing for divine intervention and is reminiscent of later believers who cry out for deliverance (Romans 8:22 NASB-95 version).
When Gideon accuses God of abandoning Israel, it underscores how doubt can flourish in turbulent circumstances. However, his honesty also positions him to receive a reassuring, transformative call from the Lord in the verses that follow (Judges 6:14–16 NASB-95 version). This echoes the New Testament theme of God’s presence in tribulation (John 16:33 NASB-95 version). Gideon’s story of shifting from despair to leadership demonstrates how God often works through imperfect, questioning individuals to accomplish His purposes.
God’s reassuring power isn’t always immediately evident, but it remains faithful to those whom He has called.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 5:6-8 meaning. The second segment of the song to the Lord in Judges 5 reflects the turmoil and oppression that Israel faced before the victory led by Deborah and Barak. The people had been living in fear and desolation. Yet, through Deborah’s faithfulness, God began to restore Israel, leading to the defeat of their enemies.
- Romans 13:6-7 meaning. Obeying the law means paying our taxes. We need to pay what we owe to those in charge of us, both money and respect.
- Deuteronomy 17:8-13 meaning. Moses advises local judges to appeal to the Levitical priests or to the judge in office at the central sanctuary in order to seek guidance when some cases seem too difficult for them to handle.