Judges 6:13

King James Version (KJV)

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? but now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

And Gideon said unto him - This speech is remarkable for its energy and simplicity; it shows indeed a measure of despondency, but not more than the circumstances of the case justified.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

The extreme bitterness of the national sufferings under the Midianite occupation breaks out in Gideon‘s language. The Angel‘s words, suitable to times of prosperity, seemed to be a mockery, when it was evident the Lord was not with them. (Compare Deuteronomy 31:17.)

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Gideon was a man of a brave, active spirit, yet in obscurity through the times: he is here stirred up to undertake something great. It was very sure that the Lord was with him, when his Angel was with him. Gideon was weak in faith, which made it hard to reconcile the assurances of the presence of God with the distress to which Israel was brought. The Angel answered his objections. He told him to appear and act as Israel's deliverer, there needed no more. Bishop Hall says, While God calls Gideon valiant, he makes him so. God delights to advance the humble. Gideon desires to have his faith confirmed. Now, under the influences of the Spirit, we are not to expect signs before our eyes such as Gideon here desired, but must earnestly pray to God, that if we have found grace in his sight, he would show us a sign in our heart, by the powerful working of his Spirit there, The Angel turned the meat into an offering made by fire; showing that he was not a man who needed meat, but the Son of God, who was to be served and honoured by sacrifice, and who in the fulness of time was to make himself a sacrifice. Hereby a sign was given to Gideon, that he had found grace in God's sight. Ever since man has by sin exposed himself to God's wrath and curse, a message from heaven has been a terror to him, as he scarcely dares to expect good tidings thence. In this world, it is very awful to have any converse with that world of spirits to which we are so much strangers. Gideon's courage failed him. But God spoke peace to him.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

13. All this befallen us. Gideon was not only a man of valor and means but a thinking man. It is apparent that he had been reflecting on the inability of the Israelites to defend their country, and trying to formulate plans to drive the invaders out. No doubt that is why the heavenly messenger chose to open the conversation with the words, “The Lord is with thee,” as if to say, “God is with you in your brave projects, Gideon.” “If God is with us,” Gideon asks ironically, “why am I forced to beat out a little wheat in a wine press, when I should be threshing an abundant harvest in the fields?”

Where be all his miracles? The Exodus from Egypt was always the glorious starting point in a recital of God’s mighty works in behalf of the Israelites. “At that time,” Gideon says, “God was with us, but apparently He is not now, or the same miracles would be wrought to help us.” Gideon recognized that the sins of the people had caused God’s presence to leave the nation, but his faith did not seem to grasp the truth that when the people cry out to God, He gladly returns to held them.

It was difficult for Gideon to reconcile painful circumstances with the messenger’s statement of God’s presence. His faith was weak. He wanted to see miracles without launching out by faith. The angel tried to build up his faith by assurances of God’s presence. Similarly today many give a false interpretation to events in their lives. “The Lord hath forsaken us,” Gideon declared, “and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” The fact is that neither of these statements was entirely true. God had not forsaken His people, but they had forsaken Him. Furthermore, Israel’s own weakness, resulting from their willful departure from the source of their strength, had delivered them into the hands of the Midianites. It is true that God did not work a miracle to keep the Midianites away, but God is limited in the extent to which He can interfere in the affairs of men. He never coerces the will, and when men choose a course contrary to His plan, He does not prevent the natural consequences of such a course. Men have no right in such circumstances to blame God for not intervening in their behalf. On the other hand, when men choose to work with God, He is again able to work in their behalf and accomplish great things for them.

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Ellen G. White
Gospel Workers 1915, 333

All who become co-workers with Christ will have a great deal of hard, uncongenial labor to perform, and their lessons of instruction should be wisely chosen, and adapted to their peculiarities of character, and the work which they are to pursue. GW 333.1

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Ellen G. White
The Retirement Years, 76.3

Neither of you is to feel as if you were divorced from the work. As it progresses, you should feel an interest in it, and be thankful that there are others who can carry it forward successfully. One laborer is adapted to one line of work, and another laborer to another line; all are to move forward together, advancing the work harmoniously. A Paul may plant, an Apollos water, but God gives the increase. The Lord uses some men to plow the field and to sow the seed, and others to reap; and He causes both those who sow and those who reap to rejoice together in the time of harvest. This is the way the Lord has always worked. He has given to every man his work. Let us do our best. If the Lord is with us, we shall be prospered.... RY 76.3

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Cross References

if the Lord

why then