9 Amazing Gideon Leadership Qualities (Gideon Bible Study)

This post is all about Gideon Leadership Qualities.

This blog post will discuss nine of the Gideon leadership qualities; it’s essentially a Gideon bible study. I have also included a special piece of information which is an interesting archaeology find. ❤️

Quick question…

Are you looking for some inspiration? Do you need a role model to help you get where you want to be in life? Look no further as this post is exactly what you are looking for! Gideon was an incredible leader, and he had many qualities that we can all borrow and apply to our own lives.

I hope that this post will help motivate and inspire you to be the best leader or individual that you can be!

Story of Gideon- Summary

The name Gideon is of Hebrew origin. It means “mighty warrior” or “strong man.” Other translations refer to him as a “great destroyer.”

Gideon is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. He was a mighty warrior who led Israel to victory over its enemies. But Gideon’s story doesn’t start as a triumphant one.

Now for the genealogy.…

Gideon’s father’s name was Joash. The family was from the tribe of Manasseh.

The tribe of Manasseh was not very important in Gideon’s day. They were considered the least of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh was made up of an estimated ten clans. One of the clans was named Abiezrites, which Gideon belonged to and was from the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh.

Quick segue…

I can definitely understand how relevant this is to the story because I also come from a nomadic tribe in Kenya, and it consists of several clans. Clans are a big thing. This is the first thing someone asks from our tribe when meeting another tribal member. Some clans are well known for raising solid people. I come from the “Teriki” clan from the Kalenjin tribe. Our clan is known to raise intelligent and hardworking people. Some other clans in my tribe are unfortunately shunned and despised.

So, I add this to say I understand the weight of Abiezrite (Gideon’s clan) being considered a weak clan. I emphasize. This is a big thing!

Gideon’s calling

As we begin, it is essential to note that the Israelites had turned away from God and were worshipping false gods at this point. At this point, the Israelites were also being oppressed by the Midianites.

Gideon’s official calling began when the Israelites cried out to God for help, and God answered their prayers by sending Gideon to lead them.

When Gideon was called, he found threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6:11) An angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and tells him that he is a mighty warrior. Gideon is skeptical, but the angel assures him that he will be victorious.

Gideon’s Doubt and Imposter Syndrome

Gideon had every reason to doubt himself. He was the youngest in his family, he came from a clan that was the weakest in Manasseh, and he was facing an army with more soldiers than there were grains of sand on the beach. Gideon didn’t think he was qualified for the job God had called him to do.

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

Judges 6:15

From that response, it looks a lot like Imposter Syndrome. If you want to find out more about this, this post will assist you in understanding its depth.

Fact: When God calls us to do something great, we often feel inadequate. We look at our weaknesses and allow them to overshadow our strengths. We think that other people can do it better than us.

The truth is, God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called. Gideon was not qualified to lead an army against the Midianites, but God equipped him with everything he needed to do the job.

Gideon’s confirmation and victory

God gave Gideon a sign that He would be with him in battle. Gideon placed a fleece on the ground, and overnight, dew fell on the fleece but not on the ground around it. This was a sign from God that He would be with Gideon in battle. (Judges 6:36-40)

Gideon then gathered an army of 32,000 men to fight against the Midianites. However, God told Gideon that he had too many men and that He would give him the victory with only 300 men. (Judges 7:7)

Gideon divided his men into three groups and attacked the Midianites at night. Gideon and his men chased after them, and they defeated the Midianites. The Midianites were caught off guard, and they fled in panic.

This victory was a turning point for the Israelites. The Midianites had oppressed them for many years, but now they were free. Gideon was a brave and faithful leader God used to deliver His people.

Significance of barley loaf dream

Now I want to point out a very significant piece of this story. This is in regards to the barley loaf dream as documented in Judges:

Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”

Judges 7:13

We need to understand the significance of the barley loaf. Let me give you the meaning as per Bible Hub

krithḗ – barley, the grain eaten by the common person, i.e., “poor man’s bread” instead of using the more expensive grain (wheat). Barley was used “principally as food for horses” (Zod, Dict).

Bible Hub

Barley considered a poor man’s bread symbolized Israel, the underdog nation, being victorious over the enemy. Gideon’s faith was boosted when he realized that God had given him the victory even before going into battle. Gideon became courageous to go down into the valley and attack the Midianite camp. As a result, he was able to defeat the enemy and bring peace to Israel

God can use even our dreams to boost our faith and help us overcome complex challenges. We can trust Him to give us the strength and courage to face whatever comes our way.

I want to highlight this dream because dreams are essential and can be a vital tool for your faith journey. Never overlook your dreams. If you want to read more about dreams, read this post titled: 7 Steps to Biblical Interpretation of Dreams

9 Amazing Gideon Leadership Qualities and Characteristics

When it comes to great leaders in the Bible, Gideon is definitely one of them. Although his story begins with flaws, Gideon’s leadership qualities are undeniable.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration and motivation, here are seven Gideon-approved leadership qualities that you can borrow for your own life:

1. Obedient

In Judges 6:25-29, God told Gideon to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. He was very obedient to the Lord’s instructions. He also was obedient when he was told to downsize his army.

2. Loyalty

Gideon was always loyal to God and His cause, no matter what. In Judges 8:22-23, the Israelites wanted Gideon to rule over them as King, but he instead stated that God would rule over them.

3. Growth mindset

Gideon’s growth was in stages. He went from doubting God to overcoming family obstacles, requesting reassurance and signs from God (regarding victory) to ultimately leading Israel to Victory. This is an essential leadership quality that everyone needs to emulate. He had a growth mentality. He could only do this because he listened keenly to the Lord’s instructions.

4. Courage

Gideon was a man of great courage. He faced many challenges head-on and never backed down. When the Midianites were oppressing the Israelites, Gideon had the courage to stand up and fight for his people. Gideon also had the courage to go against the majority and do what was right. Gideon chose to follow God, even when it wasn’t popular.

5. Humility

Gideon was a very humble man. He didn’t see himself as better than anyone else and was always quick to give credit where it was due. Gideon was also humble in his approach to leadership. He didn’t try to take all the credit or control but instead relied on God’s guidance.

6. Faith

Gideon had great faith in God. Even when things looked hopeless, Gideon never lost faith that God would help him and the Israelites win the battle. When he asked for confirmation from God, he believed. He had faith.

7. Perseverance

Gideon was a very persevering man. He never gave up, no matter how difficult the situation was. Gideon persevered through some of the darkest times in Israel’s history and was able to lead the people to victory.

8. Wisdom

Gideon was a very wise man. Before making any decisions, he sought God’s guidance and always listened to His advice (Judges 6-8). Gideon’s wisdom was evident in his military strategy. He knew what to do and when to do it to defeat the Midianites (Judges 7). However, I must stress that this wisdom came from the Lord and his obedience in following instructions. This isn’t worldly wisdom but a spiritual kind.

9. Good Communicator

Gideon was a great communicator, evident in how he spoke to Israel’s people. He was able to convey/communicate the vision and instruction that the Lord gave him. He was precise. Gideon’s ability to communicate clearly and effectively was a key factor in his success as a leader.

What lessons can we learn from Gideon in the Bible?

I’m excited about this portion, let’s dive in:

What story does Gideon’s remind us of?

Gideon’s story reminds us that God can still use us for His purposes no matter who we are or our past. We may not feel good enough or have what it takes, but if we trust in God and step out in faith, He will equip us for whatever He has called us to do. Just as Gideon was a mighty warrior and leader despite his humble beginnings, we can accomplish great things for God if we are willing to follow His call.

What does Gideon’s story teach us about God?

Gideon’s story teaches us that God is a God of second chances. No matter how far we may have fallen or how many mistakes we have made, God is always willing to forgive and give us another chance. He can take our seemingly insignificant lives and use them for His glory if we are eager to follow Him. Gideon’s story reminds us that there is no one beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness or His ability to use for His purposes.

Gideon’s story also shows us God’s patience as He (God) sent confirmations and reassurance to Gideon about his calling. It also shows us that God is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. Why? God provided wisdom and a blueprint that helped Gideon craft the perfect military strategy that led to victory.

What does Gideon’s story teach us about ourselves?

Gideon’s story teaches us that our past does not define us. Just because we may have made some bad choices or come from a difficult background does not mean that we are doomed to a life of failure. God can take our lives and use them for good if we are willing to let Him. Gideon’s story encourages us that we can still accomplish great things with God’s help no matter where we have come from. All we need to do is trust in Him and be willing to follow His plan for our lives.

Did you know about this interesting archaeology find?

The name Gideon was found inscribed on a jug dating back more than three millennia, unearthed during excavations in Israel. Yep! Even the Smithsonian wrote about it! 💃

The inscription is “Jerubbaal,” another name for Gideon (See Judges 6:32 & Judges 8:35). This is the earliest reference to Gideon outside the Bible and was found on a jug’s handle discovered in an ancient settlement near Tel Aviv.

The discovery of the jug bearing his name adds weight to the biblical account of Gideon and suggests he was a real historical figure.

It’s unclear exactly when the jug was made, but it is thought to date back to the early Iron Age, around 1200 BC.

This is an exciting discovery for biblical scholars and historians alike. It’s yet another piece of evidence that helps us better understand the world of the Bible and the people who lived in it.

Isn’t this amazing that the word of God is indeed alive and real?

My personal story with Gideon

So, as we end, I want to highlight a very personal connection I have to Gideon. I documented this in a blog post titled, “I am a Gideon.”

Once you read the post, you will understand why I passionately wrote this post. I wrote it not only for you- but for me too! I believe you will be blessed.

And that’s its folks, a bible study on Gideon Leadership Qualities.

So, there you have it – nine Gideon-approved leadership qualities that you can borrow for your own life. Gideon was an imperfect man, but he was a great leader. If Gideon can do it, so can you.

So go out there and lead with faith, action, motivation, strategy, integrity, communication, and compassion. Your team and people connected to your destiny are counting on you!

Hugs!