At that moment, Gideon is aware that he is just a young boy who is just going along with the ways of his family. When God speaks to Gideon, he describes him according to what he would become, not what he was. Even so, God calls to Gideon at the winepress. The faith of the Israelites has weakened and so has Gideon’s.

They are running into caves to seek safety. Gideon has no confidence in the God of the Israelites. Later in his life, Gideon becomes a judge of Israel and dies as an honored man in the history of God’s chosen people. This was not the custom but had to be done to protect what grain they could get. When we meet Gideon in the Book of Judges, he is threshing wheat in a winepress. The Israelite people had to seek out shelter in caves to protect themselves and what little food they had. They lived in constant fear because neighboring groups would steal the Israelite’s grain and livestock. His family line belonged to the tribe of Manasseh. He was the youngest son of Joash, who was of the family of Abiezer. Gideon was a young Israelite man living in Ophrah. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the life of Gideon.

In my study of Gideon, I found six lessons I want to share with you. His actions give us an example to follow and lessons to learn. He led a profound life coming to the aid of his people and serving as a judge to the Israelites. Gideon is a man of the Old Testament that is often underestimated.

Joash the boy king activities for kids