The nation of Israel is far from the Lord and has turned to worship idols. The false gods were meant to bring fertile crops and prosperity, but they only bring despair and a fractured relationship with the One True God. In His kindness, the Lord selects Gideon to fight for Israel. When Gideon goes to war, the Lord reduces the number of men who will go to battle so that Israel will not forget the power of God and His merciful deliverance. That is exactly what happens, however, and Israel reverts to it’s former idolatry.