The human tendency is to rely on our own resources instead of the Lord. Knowing this, God made it abundantly clear to Gideon that His hand alone would save Israel—it was not human might that defeated Israel’s enemies.
The book of Judges stands as a sad, stark contrast to the book of Joshua. Whereas the people of the conquest obeyed the Lord under Joshua’s leadership, they quickly fell into rebellion after his death. Because they had set aside God’s law, their enemies were defeating and oppressing them.
We are all in need of a heart transplant—everyone has fallen short of the glory of God. But Jesus Christ has justified us through His own righteousness.
We were all dead in our trespasses—no exceptions. But Ephesians 2:1–7 tells of the glorious transformation from death to life for those who are in Christ.