Judges 7:7

I thought today would be a good day to reflect upon one of my favorite miracles of the Old Testament, the army of Gideon and the Midianites. In all honesty, few passages of scriptures have motivated me to greater good than those of the seventh chapter in Judges.

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites began a downward spiral of disobedience and idolatry. The tribes grew increasingly distant without Joshua’s uniting leadership. In many tribes, Baal replaced Jehovah as the people grew further and further from God. As a result of their disobedience, they fell into the hands of the Midianites. Although the Israelites did not live in bondage as they once had in Egypt, the Midianites would frequent their farms “as grasshoppers” (Judg. 6:5) carrying away the Israelite’s grain and livestock.

The situation eventually led to the Israelites remembering the story their parents must have told them of a man named Moses and the saving powers of Jehovah. The situation became so unbearable that many of the Israelites would hide their food from the Midianites to be able to provide for themselves and their families (Judg. 6:11). Showing His mercy, the LORD raised up a prophet from amongst the people, Gideon.

An army was raised and Gideon found himself with 32,000 soldiers to battle against the Midianites and Amalekites who were “like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude” (Judg. 7:12). Not only were they outnumbered, but their enemies had better technology. They had discovered how to use camels in battle. Surely, the Midianite army was a very intimidating sight.

As Gideon looked over the valley at his foe, the LORD told him, “The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me” (Judg. 7:2).

The LORD then commanded that the soldiers who were fearful to return to their homes (Judg. 7:3). The soldiers had seen the same thing as their captain and 22,000 returned home, leaving Gideon with 10,000, not even one third of his original army. Nonetheless, he probably reasoned that those who had left were his poorest fighters. At least the LORD had left him with the cream of the crop.

As they prepared to do battle, the LORD once again visited Gideon saying, “The people are yet too many” (Judg. 7:4). The LORD had previously shown Gideon a sign to prove He was with him (Judg. 6:17-21) and Gideon was willing to do as the LORD commanded.

This time however, the separation of the soldiers would not be as intuitive, “Bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there… So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink” (Judg. 7:4-5).

Gideon obeyed and separated the 9,700 who kneeled from the 300 who lapped; probably hoping the LORD would send the 300 home and leave him with the 9,700. The LORD however, had other plans and commanded the 9,700 to be sent home. Gideon did not even flinch as he watched 97 percent of his army march home, many of which must have been amongst his finest fighters. The LORD had left him with less than 1 percent of the army he had left with.

Nonetheless, with great faith and a divine strategy, the Israelites attacked and destroyed the Midianites (Judg. 7:19-25). Three hundred soldiers. And against an army as numerous as “the sands of the sea;” what a miracle. It truly stands as a testament that no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. If the LORD needs something done, He will get it done. It really does not matter much if He has 32,000 or 300 on His side.

I’ve often wondered what distinguished the Gideon’s 300. Most importantly, had I been one of the original 32,000, where would I have ended up? Would I have participated in the miracle, side by side with Gideon? Would I have watched from the camp with the 9,700 as the LORD delivered the Midianites? Or would I have been at home with the other 22,000, anxiously awaiting the army’s return, only hearing of the LORD’s greatness?

The first test was simple. It was a test of trust and faith. Do you believe the LORD will deliver? Do you trust in His almighty hand? Remember though, this question was not asked when the army was safely in their city. It was posed as they overlooked the seemingly limitless foe. Would I have remembered the Red Sea? Would I have trusted?

The second test was different. While the first was internal, the test at the water was an outward expression, a physical action. I believe that this test was designed to see who was able to act with heart, might, mind and strength; whose faith (tested prior) would translate into action.

Once the LORD had selected His soldiers, the battle did not take long. The outcome of the battle was never in question. The question was who would participate. I have experienced the battle from all three perspectives. I have been on the front lines, blessed to fight alongside those of amazing strength and faith. I have also found myself watching the battle from the hilltop, and unfortunately, I have spent my share of battles back at my tent only to hear of the remarkable power of the Savior.

Like any good soldier, I prefer the front lines and hope to find myself there against the latter-day Midianites. No matter the number with me; no matter the number against me.