Judges 6:13

Judges 6:13 KJV Commentary: Gideon's Heartfelt Cry of Doubt

Context

Judges 6:13 captures a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative of Gideon. Israel had been under the oppressive hand of the Midianites for seven years, a consequence of their disobedience to God. The land was plundered, and the people lived in fear, hiding in dens and caves. It is in this desperate setting that the Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon, hailing him as a "mighty man of valor" while Gideon is secretly threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. Gideon's response in verse 13 is not one of immediate faith or acceptance, but a raw, honest outpouring of doubt and despair, questioning God's presence and past faithfulness given their present suffering.

Gideon's Lament and Questioning

Gideon's words reveal a deep internal struggle and a common human reaction to prolonged suffering: "Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?" He directly challenges the Angel's assertion of God's presence, pointing to the stark reality of their national distress. He then appeals to the historical memory of Israel, recalling the miraculous acts of God: "and where [be] all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?" This refers to the foundational story of Israel's deliverance, the Exodus from Egypt with mighty signs and wonders. For Gideon, the absence of such divine intervention in his time led him to conclude, "but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." This expresses a profound sense of abandonment and betrayal.

Key Themes and Messages

• Doubt in Adversity: Gideon's questioning highlights the natural human tendency to doubt God's presence or goodness when faced with severe hardship and unanswered prayers. His lament is relatable to anyone who has felt abandoned by God in difficult times.
• The Problem of Suffering: The verse grapples with the age-old question: If God is good and powerful, why do His people suffer? Gideon's experience mirrors this theological dilemma, pointing to a disconnect between God's past actions and present circumstances.
• Remembering God's Past Faithfulness: While Gideon uses the Exodus as a point of contention, his very reference to it underscores the importance of remembering God's historical acts of deliverance. These past miracles serve as a benchmark for what God can do, even when they seem absent in the present.
• Perceived Abandonment vs. Divine Presence: Gideon's cry, "the LORD hath forsaken us," reflects a common human tendency to perceive divine absence during hardship, despite God's covenant promises to never leave or forsake His people. The irony is that the Angel of the LORD, God's very presence, stood before him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "Oh my Lord" for Gideon's address. In Hebrew, this is bi adonai (בִּי אֲדֹנָי). While Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) is often used as a direct address for God, here, given the context of Gideon not yet fully recognizing his divine visitor, it likely functions as a respectful address to a superior or powerful figure, similar to "sir" or "my master." It reflects a tone of humble petition and perhaps a hint of exasperation, rather than a full confession of the visitor's divine identity at this initial stage.

Practical Application

Gideon's honest doubt offers comfort to believers today. It shows that questioning God or expressing frustration during trials is not necessarily a sign of a lack of faith, but rather a human response to overwhelming circumstances. God does not condemn Gideon for his questions; instead, He patiently engages with him and proceeds to call him to great acts of faith. This verse encourages us to bring our honest doubts and fears to God, to remember His past faithfulness even when circumstances seem bleak, and to trust that His presence remains even when we perceive His absence. Our feelings do not always reflect God's reality.