Midianite Oppression
In another instance, scripture reveals the immensely high regard in which Hashem holds acts of advocacy for his children. In Sefer Shofetim (פרק ו) we find that after Sisera and his army were defeated in battle, the land enjoyed tranquillity for forty years. However, the Yidden eventually strayed from the path that pleased Hashem, engaging in actions that were offensive in His eyes. In response to their disobedience, Hashem allowed them to fall into the grip of the Midianites, who would oppress them for a duration of seven long years.
During this time, the might of the Midianites loomed over Yisroel, causing great suffering and despair among its people. The Yidden, fearing for their safety and wellbeing, retreated to the mountains, carving out refuges and strongholds within the caves and rocky recesses. Their agricultural endeavours were met with devastating consequences—after they had sown their crops, the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and the Kedemites, would descend upon them. These raiders would invade, systematically pillaging their fields and destroying their harvests and their livestock, leaving the Yidden in utter destitution.
The invading forces would come equipped with countless livestock and tents, swarming into the land like a plague of locusts. The relentless assaults ravaged the land, leaving the Yidden in a state of sheer misery and despair. In their desperation, they turned to Hashem, crying out in anguish for deliverance from the Midianite oppression.
A Man of Valour
At this time, an angel appeared and rested beneath a tree in Ophrah, a location belonging to Yoash the Aviezrite. Yoash's son, Gideon, was diligently working—beating out wheat in a winepress—taking special care to protect it from the impending raids of the Midianites. As Gideon laboured, the angel revealed himself, greeting him with the words, "Hashem is with you, mighty man of valour!"
Taken aback, Gideon responded to the angel, questioning, "My lord, if Hashem is truly with us, why have we been subjected to such calamities? What has become of the miraculous deeds of deliverance that our ancestors recounted, proclaiming how Hashem brought us from slavery in Egypt? It feels as though He has forsaken us, handing us over to the Midianites!"
At that moment, Hashem turned to Gideon and instructed him, "לך בכחך זה, והושעת את־ישראל מכף מדין - הלא שלחתיך!" - "Go forth with this strength of yours, and you will deliver Yisroel from the hands of the Midianites. I am appointing you as My messenger." This divine calling signified that Gideon was to become the leader destined to free his people from oppression. Gideon indeed rose to the occasion, ultimately defeating the Midianites in a miraculous battle that would restore peace and security to the land.
At first glance, several things in this story stand out as unusual. First, Hashem's words to Gideon seem slightly out of context. Gideon is complaining about the miserable state of his brethren and asks about the seeming absence of Hashem's hand in the circumstances, and instead of an answer he is prompted to "go with this strength" and deliver Yisroel.
Moreover, what is this "strength" of Gideon that Hashem is referring to? The verses do not mention any prior act of strength performed by Gideon. In fact, at that very moment, Gideon was merely engaged in the simple task of threshing wheat!