There are a number of similarities between the way that Gideon spoke to God and the way that Moses responded at the burning bush

6:11 Have we considered the difficulty of threshing wheat by a wine press? Wheat is separated from the chaff by being tossed into the air so that the wind can separate the lighter chaff from the grain which then falls to the ground. This requires that the threshing takes place in an exposed location so that the wind can do it's job. The winepress, on the other hand,would be in a more secluded  location.

So the oppression of the Midianites had a practical impact upon daily life in Israel. In like manner if our life is compromised by sinful actions our work in Christ is hampered.

6:1        ‘Te Lord delivered them …’ marks the fact that the oppression was of God rather than simply being an accident of time and place – as if the Midianites were stronger than Israel. Israel never seemed t learn that God was working in their lives for their good. Do we?

Gideon as a possible echo of Christ - Part 1

People are vessels Rom 9:21-23, some are good Acts 9:15; Isa 52:11; 2Tim 2:20-21 and some bad. Gideon (1439) means "a feller" and thus Gideon broke baal's altar, like Christ, who felled the bonds of sin and death. Gideon was the 5th judge (5 thought by many to be the # of grace or mercy) and the return of Christ will be the 5th dominant empire or kingdom according to Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Dan 2:36-44). Judg 6:11,16,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,30,35,36,38 -- v11 wheat in a winepress under a tree perhaps is an echo of Christ's sacrifice and the bread and wine by which we remember him till he come; v16 credit for victory goes to God; v20 the bread and meat with the blood poured out on the rock is not unlike Christ, the rock, with his life blood poured out; v21 the flesh gets consumed as when Christ is changed from the natural to the spiritual body after 3 days in the pit; v22 Gideon seeing the angel of the Lord face to face is much like Christ being with God; v23 Gideon is told he will not die just as Christ did not see corruption; v24 the Lord is peace altarjust as there will be peace in Jerusalem in the millenial era when Christ returns thanks to his sacrifice which made it possible; v25-26 the mention of 7 (7 is thought by many to be the number of spiritual perfection), Christ was like a second Adam (also a perfect fullfillment of the inferior law) and sin/idols were felled with a sacrifice on a proper altar made of wood; v30,38 the son was brought out and the crowd demanded he die but he didn't really die as he rose early the next day having destroyed sin/idols; v35 mesengers sent throughout suggests many are called but few (in this case 300) are chosen; v36 God's power saves Israel through Jesus/Gideon who felled or broke the bonds of sin and death and then emerged from his mortal shell or vessel thus fully revealing the light.

6:2 Whilst the comment that Israel made ‘dens in the mountains’ might seem to be a simple description of what happened it also is an indictment of them. They should have called to God in prayer. How do we deal with problems?

V.2 Midian means strife.  Historically, Midian was Abraham's son by Keturah (Gen 25:2).  The Midianites joined the Ishmaelites (Ishmael was Abraham's son by Hagar (Gen 16:15)) to form trading caravans. 

Later, Midian joined Moab in their desire for Baalam to curse Israel (Num 22:4).  For this, Yahweh had Moses take vengeance on the Midianites who were decimated (Num 31:2-17).  But, now we see that the Midianites were stronger than Israel. They had, obviously, recovered since nearly being diminished in Moses' day. 

6:4 The ‘children of the East’ were amongst those that came against Israel at that time and the land was desolate ‘unto Gaza’ indicating a vast swathe of the central region of Israel (at least) was under their dominion.

V.25 Gideon’s father was a worshipper of Baal and Ashtaroth.  Gideon’s first assignment was to destroy his father’s altar and groves.  This demanded much faith as Gideon knew that he would be in personal danger (v.30).  Gideon, nevertheless, accomplished his first assignment despite the risk.  For this act of faith, and other ones he would perform against Midian, Gideon is named in the list of the faithful (Heb 11:32).

Judg 6:36-40 - dew is a covering and may be associated with resurrection (Isa 26:19;Psa 133:3;Psa 110:1-6); the "fleece" [Heb. "gazzah" (1492) means "fleece, to cut off, cut off, shear a flock, shave the hair (as with a sheep), figuratively means 'to destroy an enemy'"] may represent death, in particular the death of Christ (Isa 53:7).

Some of the above is gleaned from The Gospel in the Book of Judges  by Ian Giles, pps. 88-90.

6:25 In being asked to throw down his father’s altar Gideon was reminded of what God had already said – Judg 2:2 at the beginning of the time of the Judges.

“A threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:12). Now look at Isa 33:22 – the Lord is our Judge, our Lawgiver and our King. No wonder the verse concludes “He will save us”!

33:15  The man who is blessed by God behaves in a particular way. He does not follow after evil actions. Righteousness is not achieved by a legalistic observance of the letter of the law. Rather, from the examples given by Isaiah it is seen in the man who does not denigrate or demean his brother.

33:8 In saying "The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth" we learn that the country was over run with lawlessness. Travel was dangerous due to thieves and so was not undertaken unless absolutely necessary – as in Judg 5:6 when the state when Israel were oppressed is described.

33:2‘we have waited for thee’ echoes Isa 25:9 and speaks of the response of those who, like Hezekiah, put their trust in a God who promised that he would deliver them. Instead of waiting in fear they waited in confidence for God to intervene as He has said he would.

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33:14-15 The ‘devouring fire’ is the Assyrian invader. The faithful will be delivered from that. Not because of some military prowess but because they walk ‘righteously’ – that is by faith for that is how Abraham was counted righteous – because he believed God’s promise – Gen 15:6

Vs.1-4 These verses are addressed to Sennacherib.

The rest of the chapter intertwines Sennacherib’s assault on Jerusalem with the time that Jesus returns to earth to assume His kingly duties from Zion.

Vs.14-18 These verses give a picture of the future kingdom when Jesus shall reign from Zion.  Only the righteous will be with Him.  Sinners will cast out and destroyed (1Cor 6:9,10).  Yahweh is a consuming fire, and so will Jesus be when He comes to judge (Deut 4:2; Heb 12:29). Devouring fire and everlasting burnings (KJV) describe the complete and utter destruction of sinners. The phrase everlasting burnings is not to be construed as the popular myth of hell where sinners are consigned for eternity.

V.22 In the kingdom, there will be a theocracy which combines the judicial, legislative, and administrative branches of government. The government will be the responsibility of Jesus (Isa 9:6).

33:1 The one spoken of here is the same on we read of in Isa 24:16

3 v.2 - Consider the way that the word 5046 'perfect' is used in the New Testament. [Matthew 5:48 19:21 Romans 12:2 1Corinthians 2:6 13:10 14:20 Ephesians 4:13 Philippians 3:15 Colossians 1:28 4:12 Hebrews 5:14 9:11 James 1:4,17,25 here 1John 4:18] Having noticed that the word is used three times in James we should recognise that this is a major theme in the letter. This is another case of James returning to the same, or a related point, later in his letter. [James 1:26 here] The idea of using a 'bridle' to control the tongue is seen in a number of places in Scripture. [Psalm 32:9 39:1 here]

4 v.2 - James introduces the need for personal prayer in the context of tribulation. We have the assurance that He will hear our prayers. [James 1:5,6] However the problem that the brethren had was that their prayers were selfish. [James 4:2,3] Thus were not being answered.

21:4 The information that Paul should not go to Jerusalem - information given by the Holy Spirit is interesting to think upon as Paul was going to Jerusalem to do good. He was carrying the funds collected by the ecclesias for the poor saints at Jerusalem. This shows that just because we are doing a good work we should not presume that we will be preserved.

22:3-21 This description of Paul's conversion is not a 'testimonial' as many evangelicals give testimonials. It was given to confirm the validity of Paul's claims and to highlight the force of his message. The 'blinding light' experience of Paul was unique - nothing like this happens today and so we cannot make a claim ourselves to such an experience no matter how powerfully we feel that we have been convinced that the gospel is true.

3:3 we put bits in the horses mouths Psalm 32:9
The quotation from the Psalm - a Psalm which recounts David's response to the forgiveness of his sin with Bathsheba after his period of stubborn rebellion
Peter Forbes [Glenfield (UK)]     Comment added in 2002      reply to Peter

3:9 At time one would not think that we were made 'in the similitude of God' (quoting Genesis 1:26). Clearly the likeness we bear is determined by how we think. It is not just outward appearance.

4:4 The quotation 'adulterers and adulteresses' from Leviticus 20:10 seems to be a very harsh judgement upon his brethren and sisters however James is focusing on the way that the believer compromises his fellowship with God by his association with the world. He is not speaking of physical immorality which doubtless the brethren, and we for that matter, would say we were not involved in. So the charge James makes could well be just as applicable to us also.

James 3:1. By changing to the first person ( using the word we) James is showing what kind of a person he is. Although he was a leader in the ecclesia, he demonstrates his humility by including himself in the warning he now gives. He recognizes his position in this regard, as we all should.

James 3:2,6 Note the repetition of the term “The Whole Body”
      v.2 Control the tongue----------“Bridle the body”
      v.3 Hold the reins---------------“Turn the body”
      v.6 Lose control-----------------“Stain the body”

James 4:11. In this verse we see a change from “a brother” to “his brother”. James is showing here the closeness that they had in the truth; of course this closeness still applies in the 21st. century.

3:8 Do we despair when we realise 'the tongue can no man tame'? James is highlighting the reality of our situation. However the Word can teach us how to speak. This is how we should practice our speech. It is not just a mater of not speaking but rather we should speak in particular ways (Prov 25:11, Col 4:6)

4:17 Returning to this passage we notice that James draws on the requirements of the law (Deut 15:9) The Jew who did not help those whose needs he saw was sinning.

3:1 James is not saying don’t be masters. Rather he is saying that being a master brings greater responsibilities. That there were brethren who were ‘masters’ in the ecclesias is seen elsewhere – Eph 6:9, Col 4:1, 1Tim 6:1

4:3 Whether and how prayers are answered is often a vexing question. We pray and then wonder about an answer. James warns against selfish prayers. We must, therefore, question our motives for whatever we ask. John – 1 John 5:14 guides us about what we should ask for.

4:2; 2:11 - was there a murder in the first century brotherhood that James is addressing and/or is he referring to spiritually killing our fellow brethren by discouraging, showing preferencial treatment to our favorites, offering little encouragement to some, in a general sense not showing sufficient love, or might it be a reference to one who "hateth" [ Grk. "miseo" (3404) means "to detest (espec. to persecute), to love less, hate (-full)"] his brother is a murderer 1John 3:15 ? 

4:4 - loving the world 1John 2:15-17 when Israel in the days of the judges and kings got close to the world they turned to various unfaithful worldly behaviors including idol worship... do we have idols?

4:6,10 - "God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble...Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up" - if we are humble enough to read God's Word, seek understanding of His Word, follow in His ways in spirit and in truth (John 4:24), and not our own proud inclinations, we will be lifted up i.e. resurrected to eternal life to inherit the earth Matt 5:5

3:5 Continuing the matter of the relationship between Job and James the tongue figures extensively in the book of Job. His friends had a lot to say and it was what that they said that devastated Job.

3:5       Elsewhere – 1Cor 12:12 - we learn that the parts of the body combine to make the whole ecclesia. So the behaviour of one affects all. What we say can impact significantly on others.

3:5-8 James points out that the tongue is the most vicious of all human instruments.  Even secular writers have recognized this fact.  For example, Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1863)  wrote: The magic of the tongue is the most dangerous of all spells.

4:4….the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.  Jesus gave His life to deliver us from this evil world (Gal 1:4).  Why then would we involve ourselves in worldly things? 

In today’s western humanistic society there are many enticing traps in which to become ensnared.  Humanism, for a follower of Jesus, can be like the siren whose seductive beckoning dashes many a vessel upon the rocks.  Humanism is anti-God and so we cannot accept any of its wares (See my comment for Joshua 23, 24, June 5, 2009).    

3:6 The little word here, the idle word there. They come out of our mouths so glibly. However the damage they can do – and we cannot take back the words we have spoken – the damage is done, the ‘world’ is enflamed our fellow believers are damaged.