Congregation Bible Study – November 23–29, 2026

Gideon showed courage in many ways. He kept threshing grain to feed the people while the Midianites oppressed Israel. He tore down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the sacred pole, even though he feared the men of his city. When the Midianites filled the valley of Jezreel, he sent messengers to summon the tribes. Then he went into battle with only 300 men against some 135,000. I admire that he obeyed Jehovah anyway.

Imagine that invaders flood our land and no one dares to go out and plant. Israel lived through something like that. Gideon kept threshing grain, although he did it carefully. His courage started with ordinary work, done while danger was close.

Gideon also showed courage when he sneaked into the enemy camp at night. There he overheard a soldier tell a dream. He went back to his men with even more confidence in Jehovah. It reminds me that courage grows when we trust God's backing.

Gideon kept working under oppression, tore down the altar of Baal, and attacked with only 300 men.

In the dream, a round loaf of barley bread rolled into the camp of Midian, hit a tent, and knocked it down. The soldier's companion explained it as the sword of Gideon and said that God would give Midian into his hand. Paragraph 7 sums up that the dream showed that Israel would win the battle. I stay with what the account tells: Jehovah gave Gideon that reassurance in the enemy camp, before he attacked with his 300 men.

Gideon heard the dream while he was in the enemy camp, where Jehovah had told him to go. According to paragraph 7, that gave him even more confidence in God. Then he went back to his men and explained the strategy. It was a key moment before the attack.

The barley loaf rolled in and knocked down a tent: that is the picture Gideon overheard. For the soldier who heard the dream, its meaning was the sword of Gideon.

In the dream, a barley loaf knocked down a tent, and the companion said it was Gideon's sword.

The sound hit suddenly and from every side. It was night, and Gideon's 300 men had spread out around the camp. When he gave the signal, they all blew their horns, smashed the jars, and shouted. With so much noise and so many lights, the Midianites thought a huge army was attacking. I'm struck that Jehovah used such a simple plan. Horns, torches, and jars were enough. That makes the plan even more impressive to me.

Imagine we are asleep and, suddenly, horns sound all around us in the dark. We wouldn't know where the danger was coming from. That's how the enemy soldiers felt, and that is why they started fighting each other.

Picture A shows a ram's horn, an instrument used for signaling. Three hundred horns sounding together were a signal no one could ignore. The Midianites believed an army surrounded them. The picture lets us see what one of them looked like.

Three hundred horns and sudden lights in the dark made them think a large army was attacking.

First, they had to obey Jehovah even when it didn't seem logical. Gideon sent away the fearful and kept only 300 men. Then he followed Jehovah's plan: approach the camp at night, surround it, and make noise with horns, torches, and jars. After the first victory, Gideon chased the enemy about 80 kilometers to Jogbehah. Winning took courage, obedience, and effort to the very end. That is a good lesson for me.

The map in picture B covers the Jezreel Valley to Jogbehah, with rough ground in between. We can see that one night's victory wasn't enough, and they had to keep going. That makes the victory even more impressive to me.

Gideon told his men to watch him and do exactly as he did. That obedience to the plan was key. Imagine 300 men each improvising in the dark. The plan would have fallen apart. They did what was asked of them.

They had to obey Jehovah's plan, cut the army to 300, attack at night, and chase the enemy.

The account gives many concrete details. It names places like the valley of Jezreel, the Spring of Harod, and Jogbehah. It gives numbers: 32,000 men, then 10,000, then 300, against some 135,000 enemies, and about 15,000 survivors. It describes how the soldiers drank and what each man carried. Also, the apostle Paul listed Gideon among men of great faith.

This account says where they camped, how many there were, and what each group did. That gives me confidence that the Bible reports real events. That is why I study these accounts with trust and care.

It even admits what isn't known: the caption of picture B says the exact route of the chase is unknown. That care also speaks of the account's honesty. Saying honestly what is known and what isn't gives more weight to everything else it tells us.

There are specific places, numbers, and actions, and even Paul mentions Gideon in Hebrews 11:32.

They can imitate him by answering calmly and humbly. Gideon had just led a great victory, yet he didn't get defensive when others were upset. He spoke to them peaceably. A family head or an elder can do the same: listen first, avoid harsh words, and recognize what the other person did well. That protects peace, which is worth more than being right. I want to learn that. A calm answer can calm a whole conversation, and that's worth practicing every day.

Imagine a son who is upset about his father's decision. The father can take a deep breath, listen to him, and explain calmly. Speaking peaceably doesn't mean giving in on everything, but protecting the relationship.

Suppose a brother complains about how an elder organized something. The elder can thank him for speaking frankly. Humility can turn a tense talk into a chance to understand each other better. Humility makes everyone feel respected.

They can answer calmly, listen first, and speak humbly, as Gideon did with those who were upset.

That series of pictures shows a situation like that. At school, a young sister sees a poster that promotes homosexuality. Later, her classmates want her to wear a rainbow bracelet. She needs courage to say no, and caution to do it respectfully. The same can happen at work or with neighbors: stay firm without offending or looking down on anyone. Both qualities go together, and one without the other can cause problems.

Imagine a brother at work who is asked to do something that goes against the Bible. He needs courage to refuse firmly. He also needs caution to choose his words, so that he explains his decision without arguing.

Suppose a relative invites us to a celebration that doesn't please Jehovah. Being courageous means saying no. Being cautious means saying it kindly and, if possible, without long explanations. That way we protect the relationship.

When someone pressures us to do something against the Bible, we need firmness to say no and respect in how we say it.

I can imitate Gideon by obeying Jehovah even when I'm afraid. He obeyed even though he did it at night, out of fear of his father and the men of the city. His courage wasn't the absence of fear but acting in spite of it. I can speak about my faith at work, say no when pressured, and follow Jehovah's direction wisely, without looking for fights. I ask Jehovah for help to do it, and I take it one day at a time.

Gideon also asked for signs, and Jehovah was patient with him. I can go to Jehovah in prayer when I have doubts. He understands that sometimes I need encouragement to take the next step. That patience from Jehovah encourages me.

Imagine I have to take a hard step, like talking about the Bible with a coworker. I can prepare beforehand, pray, and start with something small. Courage grows step by step. Each attempt makes me feel more confident, and that's how I can grow.

I can obey Jehovah despite fear, asking for his help and acting wisely, one step at a time.

This account teaches me that Jehovah is patient and cares about his servants. He agreed to the two signs Gideon asked for and gave him another proof of his support through the soldier's dream. It also teaches me that Jehovah protects his people and gives them victory when it seems impossible. And he rewards those who obey him: Gideon enjoyed peace and a long life. All that makes me want to draw closer to him.

Jehovah wasn't annoyed that Gideon asked for signs. On the contrary, he answered calmly, again and again. That shows me I can come to him with my doubts and he won't turn me away. That gives me great peace of mind.

Jehovah cut the army from 32,000 to 300. That made it clear the victory came from him. It teaches me that Jehovah is powerful and likes to use ordinary people. Seeing him act that way makes me trust him even more, and it makes me want to serve him.

Jehovah is patient, protects his people, and rewards those who obey him in faith.

Jehovah has always wanted his people to live in peace under his rule. When Israel turned away, he allowed them to be oppressed, and when they repented, he freed them through Gideon. Afterward, the people wanted to make Gideon king. He answered that Jehovah would be the one to rule over them. That ties in with the Bible's main theme: that Jehovah is the rightful Ruler and will fulfill his purpose. That is how I see his purpose.

Gideon humbly refused to be king. He said Jehovah would rule over them. Today, those of us who serve Jehovah also want him as our Ruler, and we don't look for power for ourselves. That attitude also teaches me to be humble.

Jehovah allowed the Midianites to oppress Israel, but he listened when his people repented. That shows his purpose: to give his people a secure life under his care. That is how patient Jehovah is with those who return to him.

Jehovah frees his repentant people and is their Ruler, as Gideon said when he refused to be king.

I'd ask him how he felt when he was left with only 300 men. I'd also want to know what he thought when he heard the soldier's dream in the enemy camp. And I'd like to ask whether he was afraid before tearing down the altar of Baal. I think he would tell me how he felt, and that would encourage me to trust Jehovah more when something frightens me. I'd also ask him how he lived the days after the victory.

Maybe I'd ask him to tell me what the camp looked like when the horns sounded. Hearing that story from Gideon himself would be a wonderful gift of the resurrection. I would listen to every detail. It would be amazing.

Thinking about what I'd ask Gideon helps me reread the account more carefully. It makes me notice details I overlooked before and imagine what it will be like to be with him. That curiosity is healthy and brings me closer to the Bible.

I'd ask how he felt with only 300 men and whether he feared tearing down Baal's altar.