Gideon is called amid fear, oppression, and idolatry

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD : and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the…” Naming Israel and Midian keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east…” Naming Amalekites and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no…” Naming Gaza and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD .” Naming Israel and Midianites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I…” Naming Israel and Egypt keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them…” Naming Egyptians keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have…” Naming Amorites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And there came an angel of the LORD , and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the…” Naming Abi and Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, angel, appeared. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.” The line’s distinctive content terms include grace, shew, sight. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he…” Naming Depart keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and…” Naming Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out…” Naming Take keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, cakes, flesh. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD , Gideon said, Alas, O Lord GOD ! for because I have seen…” Naming Gideon and Alas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” Naming Peace keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD , and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of…” Naming Abi and Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his…” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was…” Naming Baal keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of…” Naming Baal and Bring keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and…” Naming Amalekites and Jezreel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abi-ezer was gathered after him.” Naming Abi and Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher…” Naming Asher and Manasseh keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,” Naming Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include fleece, bowl, early. Its relationship to verses 37 and 39 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray…” Naming Gideon keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.