Judges Chapter 7
In the previous chapter Gideon asked God to give him a sign that He would indeed give them victory in battle against the Midianites. God answered his request, and Gideon summoned the army to gather. And God gave Gideon the strangest message, He told him that there were too many Israelite men. Imagine what Gideon thought when God said that! The Midianites had been oppressing the Israelites for some seven years and caused great fear in the land, but God thinks they have too many men to fight? God wanted the people of Israel to see that they could have victory with fewer men, because it was He who would give the victory.
Let's Reflect
1. Imagine how Gideon’s heart sank and his jaw dropped as he watched a large portion of the men leave the encampment to go home when Gideon asked if any were afraid to go to battle against the Midianites! How many men deserted and went home? How many were left?
2. Once again God said there were too many men and so He told Gideon to have the men get a drink of water at a stream. God said to keep only the men who lapped up the water with their hand. How many men did that leave to participate in the army?
3. As darkness fell over their encampment God told Gideon that He was going to give them victory that very night. He also knew that Gideon was terribly afraid and offered a special way to bolster his courage against the Midianites. How did God do that for Gideon?
4. When Gideon heard what God was going to do from the mouths of the enemy army, he knew that God was going to do as He promised. What does the Bible say that Gideon did at that moment? He probably did this silently!
5. Gideon woke up his small army of 300 and gave them some special instructions. He divided them into 3 groups that would surround the enemy army on 3 sides. The men would be taking their weapons with them, but they were not instructed about weaponry. Gideon told them what they were going to surprise the enemy with as he demonstrated for the men how they would break clay pots. What other things would the men take with them to surprise the enemy in the darkness of night?
6. The enemy rose up scared out of their minds and began killing each other! When they fled, God gave permission for the other men of the tribes to help pursue the enemy. What other tribes of Israel were called out to pursue the enemy?
7. The victory that God gave the Israelites was so spectacular that even the two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, were captured and killed. To show Gideon that they had won complete victory over these savage men what did they bring back to Gideon?
