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Judges 6:12
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORDis with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

Exodus 3:12
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and thisshall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

Joshua 1:5
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses,so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

the LORD replied,
The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) signifies the covenantal name of God, highlighting His relationship with Israel. This personal interaction between God and Gideon underscores the direct communication God has with His chosen leaders. It reflects the theocratic nature of Israel during the time of the Judges, where God directly intervenes in the affairs of His people. This divine reply is a response to Gideon's doubts and fears, providing reassurance and authority.

and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man.
This phrase prophesies the complete victory over the Midianites, who were oppressing Israel. The Midianites, nomadic people from the Arabian Peninsula, had invaded Israel, leading to severe hardship (Judges 6:1-6). The expression "as one man" suggests unity and decisiveness in the victory, indicating that the defeat of the Midianites will be swift and comprehensive. This victory is not due to Gideon's strength but God's power working through him. It prefigures the ultimate victory over sin and evil through Jesus Christ, who, as one man, brings salvation to all (Romans 5:17-19).

• God’s presence is the decisive factor. Gideon’s weakness is irrelevant because the Lord Himself accompanies him.

• Cross references underline this pattern of divine assurance:Exodus 3:12 “I will surely be with you,” spoken to Moses;Joshua 1:5 “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you”;Matthew 28:20 “I am with you always.”

• The verse teaches that victory flows not from human strength but from the Lord’s nearness (Psalm 46:1).

• The covenant God, not a mere angelic messenger, is speaking. His covenant name guarantees the promise (Genesis 15:1;Isaiah 41:13).

• Because “the LORD replied,” the words carry absolute authority. They are not a suggestion but a guaranteed outcome (Numbers 23:19).

• Future tense, yet certain. God speaks of the victory as an accomplished fact (Romans 4:17).

• Gideon moves from hiding in a winepress (Judges 6:11) to striking down an army. The transformation showcases God’s power to equip ordinary people for extraordinary tasks (1 Corinthians 1:27).

• The phrase also highlights human responsibility: Gideon must act in obedience (James 2:17).

• The promise covers every oppressor, not just a partial win. Midian had devastated Israel “like swarms of locusts” (Judges 6:5), yet God pledges total deliverance (Psalm 34:19).

• Comprehensive victory recalls earlier conquests: “Not one of all their enemies had withstood them” (Joshua 21:44).

• It reassures believers that no enemy—spiritual or physical—is too great when God intervenes (Romans 8:37).

• The Midianite force will fall as easily as if Gideon were fighting a single opponent—swift, unified, decisive.

• Similar language appears inJoshua 23:10, “One of you can put a thousand to flight,” and inIsaiah 41:15–16 where God makes Israel a threshing sledge.

• The phrase underscores the miraculous nature of the victory: God collapses what seems many into one manageable foe (Psalm 118:10–12).

Judges 6:16 assures Gideon—and us—that God’s presence guarantees victory. The Lord’s authoritative reply turns a fearful farmer into a deliverer, promises the complete overthrow of the oppressor, and reduces an overwhelming army to a single, dispatchable foe. When God is with His people, the outcome is settled: total, miraculous triumph.

Smite the Midianites as one man.--See Chap'

19 1:8;Numbers 14:15.

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