Judges 7:1-25
Gideon received his signs and was encouraged, so he gathered his army to attack the Midianites, 32,000 men in all. As they were moving out, preparing their attack, God told him to hold up. The Israelites were God's people and he knew them well. They were already stubborn and disobedient when it was obvious that God was taking care of them. So, he knew they would be no good at all if they gained a victory under what seemed to be their own ability.
That being the case, he told Gideon to drawn down his forces, so there would be no mistake that God deserved all the glory for the ensuing victory. All the men who were afraid to fight were sent home, leaving only 10,000 to forge ahead. That's right; 22,000 men who had been called and were en route were so afraid to actually accomplish the mission that they willingly turned back at the first opportunity! And that is how people are today; they will say they will go, help, support, whatever, even give the appearance that they will do what they say, but at the first sign of trouble or opportunity for exit, they are nowhere to be found. And that's okay. Usually, when that happens, that's just the way God wants it; let them go, they would have only been a hindrance.
Now down to 10,000, Gideon thought he and his army were ready to roll, but God said no. That was still too many. It, obviously, didn't take much to give the Israelites the big-head. So, God sent them down to the spring to drink. He told Gideon to divide the men into two groups, those who drank from their hands and those who put their mouths in the water. Of the 10,000, only 300 drank from their hands and were allowed to stay to fight the Midianites. The 9,700 were the folks who are with you, they really are, willing to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight the good fight, but they go about doing it the wrong way. They have good intentions, but poor means or methods. So, while they could get the job done, they wouldn't necessarily bring glory to God in the process.
The 300 remained; the willing and properly able. There were just enough to get the victory, but not so many that they could reasonably take all the credit. And that was just the way God intended. But now, Gideon's fear started creeping back in. Everyone likes to feel prepared when embarking on some great undertaking, especially something like war. That is perfectly understandable. So God had already made provision to help Gideon build his confidence now that his army had been whittled away. In the middle of the night, God told him to get up and go attack. But knowing he would be scared, he also told him he could take his servant with him down to their camp to be encouraged by what he heard there.
So, of course, Gideon chose door number two. He took his servant with him down to the Midianite camp and listened in on a conversation. They heard one man telling his friend about a dream where a loaf of bread rolled into a tent, knocking it over and flattening it out. The friend interpreted the dream to mean on;y one thing, that God had given Gideon and his army the victory over the Midianites. Now, I probably would have had trouble believing that wasn't a set up, but Gideon's faith was increased and he worshiped God and was eager to attack, just as God had promised.
So he gathered his men and divided them into three groups. He gave everyman a horn and a torch and spread them out around the camp. He instructed them to do as he did when the got to the edge of the camp. They approached just after midnight and Gideon and his crew blew their horns and ignited their torches and shouted. The other two groups followed suit. At that moment, God through the Midianites into a panic, so that they were attacking themselves. All Gideon and his 300 had to do was chase those who were escaping.
To assist with that, Gideon summoned his fellow tribes in the area to cut them off on their way out. And God gave them the victory...again. The kings were captured and killed and their heads presented to Gideon as confirmation. And all it took was a few (hundred) good men.
Thank you, Lord, for the ability to do so much with so little in you. Thank you for providing the increase when all I have is not enough. Thank you for being more than enough to cover what I lack. God, help me to always recognize my shortcomings as an opportunity for you to reveal your glory and power in my life. Give me the humility to always praise you in good times and bad; knowing that you will always give me the victory as long as I am faithful to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Gideon received his signs and was encouraged, so he gathered his army to attack the Midianites, 32,000 men in all. As they were moving out, preparing their attack, God told him to hold up. The Israelites were God's people and he knew them well. They were already stubborn and disobedient when it was obvious that God was taking care of them. So, he knew they would be no good at all if they gained a victory under what seemed to be their own ability.
That being the case, he told Gideon to drawn down his forces, so there would be no mistake that God deserved all the glory for the ensuing victory. All the men who were afraid to fight were sent home, leaving only 10,000 to forge ahead. That's right; 22,000 men who had been called and were en route were so afraid to actually accomplish the mission that they willingly turned back at the first opportunity! And that is how people are today; they will say they will go, help, support, whatever, even give the appearance that they will do what they say, but at the first sign of trouble or opportunity for exit, they are nowhere to be found. And that's okay. Usually, when that happens, that's just the way God wants it; let them go, they would have only been a hindrance.
Now down to 10,000, Gideon thought he and his army were ready to roll, but God said no. That was still too many. It, obviously, didn't take much to give the Israelites the big-head. So, God sent them down to the spring to drink. He told Gideon to divide the men into two groups, those who drank from their hands and those who put their mouths in the water. Of the 10,000, only 300 drank from their hands and were allowed to stay to fight the Midianites. The 9,700 were the folks who are with you, they really are, willing to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight the good fight, but they go about doing it the wrong way. They have good intentions, but poor means or methods. So, while they could get the job done, they wouldn't necessarily bring glory to God in the process.
The 300 remained; the willing and properly able. There were just enough to get the victory, but not so many that they could reasonably take all the credit. And that was just the way God intended. But now, Gideon's fear started creeping back in. Everyone likes to feel prepared when embarking on some great undertaking, especially something like war. That is perfectly understandable. So God had already made provision to help Gideon build his confidence now that his army had been whittled away. In the middle of the night, God told him to get up and go attack. But knowing he would be scared, he also told him he could take his servant with him down to their camp to be encouraged by what he heard there.
So, of course, Gideon chose door number two. He took his servant with him down to the Midianite camp and listened in on a conversation. They heard one man telling his friend about a dream where a loaf of bread rolled into a tent, knocking it over and flattening it out. The friend interpreted the dream to mean on;y one thing, that God had given Gideon and his army the victory over the Midianites. Now, I probably would have had trouble believing that wasn't a set up, but Gideon's faith was increased and he worshiped God and was eager to attack, just as God had promised.
So he gathered his men and divided them into three groups. He gave everyman a horn and a torch and spread them out around the camp. He instructed them to do as he did when the got to the edge of the camp. They approached just after midnight and Gideon and his crew blew their horns and ignited their torches and shouted. The other two groups followed suit. At that moment, God through the Midianites into a panic, so that they were attacking themselves. All Gideon and his 300 had to do was chase those who were escaping.
To assist with that, Gideon summoned his fellow tribes in the area to cut them off on their way out. And God gave them the victory...again. The kings were captured and killed and their heads presented to Gideon as confirmation. And all it took was a few (hundred) good men.
Thank you, Lord, for the ability to do so much with so little in you. Thank you for providing the increase when all I have is not enough. Thank you for being more than enough to cover what I lack. God, help me to always recognize my shortcomings as an opportunity for you to reveal your glory and power in my life. Give me the humility to always praise you in good times and bad; knowing that you will always give me the victory as long as I am faithful to you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading! Your comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.