By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Mobile
TRUST
Judges 7:1–8, 19–23
The Midianites continued to oppress the people of Israel. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham by his concubine, Keturah. They had been enemies of Israel since the time they opposed Israel when Moses led the nation into the region east of the Jordan River in preparation to enter Canaan.
For seven years they had been raiding Israel and plundering anything of value. Reluctantly and with God’s reassurance, Gideon responded to God’s call to fight the enemy of his homeland.
Too Many (1-3)
Even after the Spirit of the Lord had clothed Gideon, he remained unconvinced that the Lord would deliver Israel through him. He tested the Lord twice with a fleece before he would muster the troops and go out to battle against the Midianites and their allies.
Gideon and his army of 32,000 soldiers were encamped about five miles south of the invading army beside the spring of Harod, which means “trembling.” The very name hints at the emotional state of Gideon’s army.
The Midianites outnumbered the Israelites nearly four to one, so the Lord’s next word to Gideon had to have caught him completely off guard. The Lord told him that he had too many troops for Him to give the Israelites a victory over the Midianites because Israel would believe they had actually won the battle themselves.
The Lord, therefore, implemented a two-part plan to reduce the size of the army. All who were afraid were urged to depart. Twenty-two thousand of Gideon’s men left. With only 10,000 soldiers remaining, Gideon’s army went from being outnumbered 4−1 to being outnumbered 12−1.
Still Too Many (4–8)
Announcing that the army was still too large, the Lord devised another scheme to trim the army’s size. When the men went down to the water to drink, Gideon was to separate those who lapped like a dog and those who knelt and scooped up water with their hands. The Lord chose the men who lapped — for they numbered only 300 men — and sent the rest of the men home.
No reason for the distinction is given, so it shows nothing about their ability as soldiers. The Lord downsized Gideon’s army so there could be no doubt that it was the Lord who gave them the victory.
With only 300 men remaining, Gideon had growing concerns about attacking the Midianite army. They were now outnumbered 450−1. Graciously, the Lord told Gideon to spy on the enemy camp and listen to what they were saying because He knew it would encourage Gideon. So Gideon took his servant, Purah, and they overheard the Midianites discussing a dream one of them had revealing that God would give Gideon victory over them.
Just Right (19–23)
Now convinced that the Lord’s power was sufficient, Gideon began to exercise leadership and devised a scheme. He divided his 300 men into three companies armed with only trumpets and torches. The torches were concealed in earthenware jars to disguise their approach and keep the flames burning.
Gideon’s men blew their trumpets on cue, revealed their burning torches and shouted, “A sword for the Lord and Gideon!” Caught totally off guard, the Midianites panicked, and the Lord caused the enemy soldiers to attack each other with their own swords. Survivors fled from the presence of Gideon and his 300 men.
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