Gideon is recalled in Scripture as a hero of faith (Heb 11: 32), but introduced in the Bible as a coward. Gideon’s courage wasn’t a natural ability that God used, but a supernatural gifting by grace to accomplish His service. That’s a spiritual gift: God the Holy Spirit doing something and using you to do it.
Thus far in Judges, we’ve witnessed God using men to deliver His people from political, social, and economic oppression. In Gideon we see how God raised him up to deliver His people; it is all of grace!

I. God’s Gift of Courage. The Apostle Paul commanded the Corinthian believers to watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love (1 Cor 16:13-14). Paul’s phrase be strong is literally be a man and is used elsewhere in Scripture (Deut 31:6-8; 2 Sam 10:12; 1 King 2:1-4; 1 Chron 22:11-13; 28:20; 2 Chron 32:1-8; Ps 27:14). Paul’s command is figurative, meaning the Christian is not to give in to fear, evil, or compromise, but live by faith in God through His Word. This courage is a supernatural gift of God.
Men are specially charged by God to do more than earn money. They are to train their children in godliness (Deut 6:6-9; Ps 128:1-6; Prov 4:1-4; Eph 6:4); nurture, love, and lead their wives in Christ (Eph 5:29; 1 Pet 3:7); and rule the local church (1 Tim 3:2-5; Tit 1:6). But corrupt men create a generational corruption. This isn’t a “generational curse” because God doesn’t punish children for a father’s sin (Deut 24:16), however, what fathers do, children follow (Zech 1:1-6). A wrong view of manhood or fatherhood affects generations to come (Ex 20:5; 34:7; Deut 5:9-10).

II. Family Conflict (Judg 6:25-26). God’s first command to Gideon was to destroy the objects of Baal worship at his family home and erect an altar unto the Lord. Before Midian could be defeated, Baal had to be destroyed (Deut 32:17; 1 Cor 10:20-21). God is jealous for His glory, people, and worship. Syncretism (the combining of two religions) is not an option with God. There are not many ways to God, but only One narrow Way, and His name is Jesus (Jn 14:6; Acts 4:12). There is but one way to worship Him: the way He prescribes in Scripture.
Faith brought Gideon into direct conflict with His family. Standing with the God of peace often means conflict with family and the world (Mt 10:34-36; 1 Pet 4:3-5; 1 Jn 3:13). It was one thing for Gideon to stand for God in a winepress; wholly different to stand for Him at home. If he didn’t first practice his faith at home, he’d never practice it faithfully elsewhere. He couldn’t lead the nation if he couldn’t lead his own family.
You can’t take the gospel outside the home if you first can’t preach it at home. One of the qualifications of a pastor is his leadership in his home (1 Tim 3:2-5, 12; Tit 1:6).

III. Spiritual Conflict (Judg 6:26-27). Baal worship was generally conducted in high places, either hilltops or raised platforms (Deut 12:2; 2 Kin 14:4; 2 Kin 23:15). In the 1920s, such a high place was excavated at Megiddo in Israel. The platform, with a 26 foot diameter and 5 feet height, is surrounded by thousands of animal bones. Around these altars were Asherah poles, idols dedicated to Baal’s wife. These poles are carved wood or stone, shaped like a man’s sex organ and used in the sexual worship orgies to manipulate the gods.
After tearing down the high place, Gideon built an altar to God and sacrificed one of his father’s prize bulls. While Gideon feared what others would do, he obeyed the Lord. Faith isn’t proven in daring deeds, but in obedience (Heb 11:7, 8, 27, 30; Jas 2:14-26). Weakness and wise fear in the midst of obedience is both normal and preferred, for then the power of God is displayed. Such fear is a good thing in a Christian, unless it keeps him from obeying God.
We must remember that courage is not being fearless, but doing what is right and godly in the face of danger. God gave Gideon courage, and now that gift was to be tested. His secret act didn’t remain secret long.