Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse together. It’s a really powerful and dramatic moment in the story of Gideon! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Gideon is a farmer: In ancient Israel, Gideon was a young, somewhat inexperienced farmer who was called by God to lead a battle against an enemy. The Enemy is Giants: The enemy wasn't just soldiers – they were giant, incredibly strong men who were attacking the Israelites. These giants were a huge threat! Gideon Feels Lost: Gideon felt completely overwhelmed and confused. He questioned why God had chosen him to fight such powerful enemies, especially when he felt like he was losing. What the Verse Says - A Plea for Explanation: “Judges 6:13 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.” “Oh my Lord…”: Gideon is expressing a huge sense of frustration and disbelief. He’s asking God to explain why this is happening. “If the LORD be with us…”: Gideon is saying that God's presence – His power and guidance – is actually helping them. “Why then is all this befallen us?”: This is the core of the question. Gideon is asking, “God, why are we facing such a terrible situation? Why isn’t He doing something dramatic to help us?” “Where all his miracles which our fathers told us of…”: Gideon is remembering stories from their ancestors – stories that described God's amazing acts and power. They were expecting miracles! “…saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?”: This refers to a specific story about Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. It’s a powerful image of God bringing them to freedom. “But now the LORD hath forsaken us…”: This is the most crucial part. Gideon is saying that God has abandoned them – He's not intervening or helping! Overall Meaning - A Plea for Intervention: The verse expresses a deep sense of disappointment and desperation. Gideon wants to know why God isn’t directly involved in their struggle. It's a plea for divine intervention, a reminder that God is powerful and might choose to act in ways we don’t understand. Why it Matters - A Turning Point: This verse is considered one of the most important moments in the Old Testament! It marks a pivotal point where Gideon realizes God is not just watching from afar but actively intervening. It sets the stage for his incredible victory over the Midianites. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story in the Bible? Discuss the significance of Gideon's response?