High Resolution JPEG Picture of The people of Israel were worshiping the Canaanite idols. The Lord allowed the Midianites to conquer and rule over the Israelites as punishment. The Midianites destroyed the land and the crops each year before they were harvested. The Israelites were helpless. Finally, after seven years they called out to God for help. The angel of the Lord spoke to Gideon, calling on him to rescue the Israelites. That very night Gideon and his men destroyed the idols and built a new altar to the Lord. When the Israelites woke the next morning, they were furious. They wanted to kill Gideon, but did not. A message arrived saying that the Midianites and Amalekites had crossed the Jordan River into the Jezreel Valley. Gideon called on the Israelites to come and fight. God gave very detailed instructions about how Gideon would defeat the enemy. Gideon obeyed God and was victorious. The men who had helped him carry out God’s plan were punished. Israel lived forty years in peace, but once again returned to idol worship after Gideon’s death. [471649213] stock photo
