Judges 6-8
A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger. Prov. 15:1
The Israelites had been delivered over the the Midianites. They had turned from their God, their Provider, their Protector, and went their own way. Now they were living in dens and caves and trying to hide. When they planted crops, the Midianites and Amalekites destroyed the crops, they took their animals and destroyed the land.
When the Israelites cried unto God, once again, he reminded them of their disobedience—they were getting what they deserved and what God said they would get if they turned from Him.
In spite of all this, God once again extended His mercy to them. He came to a man named Gideon. We can read about it in chapter 6, v. 12 “the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.” v. 14 “Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?” v. 16 Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as once man.”
Gideon was a humble man that lacked confidence and was unsure of the Lord’s leading him. After being reassured that God was with him, Gideon did the first thing that God asked of him. He broke down the altar of Baal and built an altar to God and sacrificed on it. This brought Gideon to the attention of the men of the city.
After that, Gideon had an army to fight with him against the Midianites and the Amalekites. Still Gideon was unsure and asked God for a sign. First he asked for a dry ground in the morning with fleece of wool that was wet with the dew. Next he asked for the reverse, a wet ground and dry fleece. God granted these requests to assure Gideon.
Gideon took his men to fight the Amalekites, but God first reduced his army to just 300 men. Now Gideon needed to trust God and act upon that faith.
Gideon and his 300 men saw God fight for them and scatter their enemy in fear. Gideon called for the men of Ephraim to come and help in the fight. The Ephraimites took and slew two of the princes of the Midianites, but they were not happy with Gideon. “And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply.” Judges 8:1 They were angry that they weren’t called earlier.
Gideon could have become proud and started shouting that he did call them now. He could have justified himself and told them how God even reduced the army that he had with him. Instead Gideon remained humble and showed an example of the proverb we’re looking at today. He gave a soft answer. He gave them credit and glory for what they did. He said he had done nothing in comparison to them. Judges 8:3b says “then their anger was abated toward him, when he had said that.” Just like our Proverb tells us, his soft answer turned away their anger.
When their anger was turned away, they could join forces and continue their chase of the enemies.
After Israel was freed from the Midianites, they wanted to make Gideon their king, but he refused and said “The Lord shall rule over you.” Judges 8:23b
It usually takes a humble person to give a soft answer, but the Lord is pleased with a humble person.