Judges 7 Bible Study / Podcast

Gideon’s Underdog Victory in Judges 7

So this morning we're going to continue our study of Judges chapter 7. We've been going through the book of Judges now for several weeks. Judges chapter 7, this is the story of Gideon and his valiant 300.

I would think I'd, I don't know if I've heard this, I don't want to take credit for it, but Gideon is sort of like the George Washington of Israel, if you will. What does that mean? Well, he was a man known for his great integrity.

Gideon in his, of course he's a general, but Gideon has probably the greatest underdog victory in warfare history. And they wanted, after this, they wanted to make him king just like they wanted to make George Washington king, but Gideon refused.

So at least for those reasons, there's come from behind victory or an underdog victory. He's a general, a man of great integrity, and Israel wanted to make him king, but he said no. He refused. So here in Judges chapter 7, we began our study last week of Gideon.

Other than maybe Samuel, Gideon I would say is Israel's greatest judge. But yeah, this is the story of Gideon's valiant 300. So what's happening here? Israel is being oppressed by the Midianites, as we saw last time, and the Lord calls this man Gideon to be a judge or to lead the Israelite army to defeat their enemy in the most unusual of ways.

So instead of tens of thousands of men storming the Midianite camp, I think Gideon started out with 32 ,000 men, but instead of tens of thousands of men storming the enemy, storming the camp, instead the Lord orchestrates it so that the victory is won with only 300 men.

That way, doing it against all odds, this ensured that the Lord would receive all the glory. So as we begin reading in Judges chapter 7, remember Gideon is also called Jerobael. This name was given to him by his father after Gideon tore down the altar to the false deity Baal, and he erected an altar to the Lord on top of it.

So by this act, Gideon showed that he had the courage to lead Israel and the people got behind him. And let's begin reading in Judges chapter 7, starting in verse 1.

Then Jerobael, that is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose early, and encamped beside the well of Herod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Morin in the valley.

And the Lord said to Gideon,.

The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against me, saying, My own hand has saved me. Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.

And 22 ,000 of the people returned, and 10 ,000 remained. But the Lord said to Gideon,.

The people are still too many. Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be that of whom I say to you, this one shall go with you, the same shall go with you. And of whomever I say to you, this one shall not.

Go with you, the same shall not go. So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,.

Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself. Likewise, everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.

And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men. But all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the Lord.

Said to Gideon, By the 300 men who lapped, I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go,.

Every man to his place. So the people took provisions and their trumpets in their hands, and he sent away all the rest of Israel, every man to his tent, and retained those 300 men. Now the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

It happened on the same night that the Lord said to him,.

Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.

God’s Glory, Human Weakness, and Divine Testing

Okay, so we see how things are shaping up. The Lord is going to give Israel the victory, but lest Israel claim glory for itself, the Lord whittles the number of soldiers down to 300. Of course, this is the whole problem.

Israel as a nation chosen by God. Their purpose was to bring God glory, but you know how people are. People tend to, left to their own devices, they tend to glorify themselves. So the purpose of God in choosing Israel as a nation was to bring glory to the Lord, and in doing that there would be a light unto all the nations.

Israel was supposed to be a testimony, a shining example of what happens when a people walk in the commandments of God. And the other nations were then to see how the Lord was near to them and how he blessed them.

And that would be its own form of evangelism. People of the world would see that and it would cause the faith and the knowledge of God to spread all over the earth. I mean, that was the plan, but Israel didn't obey.

And as the result of breaking the covenant that God has made with them, the Lord had to discipline them. And this time around he disciplines them using the Midianites. So when Israel finally cries out to God, being oppressed by the Midianites, we covered this last week, the Lord hears their cries and raises up a judge.

And of course that is Gideon. And the Lord knows that even if this Spirit-filled leader, because Gideon is now empowered by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God came upon him. Gideon is going to save the nation, but the Lord knows that if they are able to, the people are going to try to claim the glory for themselves.

They're not going to want to give God the credit. So that's the whole problem. That's why God whittles it down to 300 men. So let's go through these verses more closely. Verse 1 says, Then Jeroboam, that is Gideon, and all the people who were with him rose early.

So Gideon is also called Jeroboam. Gideon is yet another Biblical character that has more than one name. So far we've seen what? Abram became Abraham. Jacob is also known as Israel. Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, was also called Reuel.

And of course in the New Testament you see this with Peter. Simon is given the name Peter. Saul becomes Paul. So this type of thing is very common in the Bible where characters will have two names or they will have one name and either God changes their name or someone gives them a new name.

So Gideon is now Jeroboam. And he's given that name again by his father after he picked a fight with Baal by tearing down his altar. And that's what the name Jeroboam means. It means Baal contends. So Gideon picked a fight with Baal.

Jeroboam. So Israel is making preparations for battle. The Midianites are camped to the north. And in verse 2 the Lord speaks to Gideon telling him that he has too many soldiers. So imagine that a general is being told hey listen you have too many troops.

This might be the first time in history that a general has heard those words. Two points about this. Number one we get the sense that God is speaking directly to Gideon. No detail is given how the Lord is communicating with him so we're not really sure.

But the second thing is how can you have too many troops? Well we'll get back to that. But this idea that the Lord is speaking directly to Gideon is this a voice that he hears? Like a still small voice.

He was already visited by the angel of the Lord. We don't see that that happens again. So there is a possibility. Because I don't know if this interests you. As you study the Bible, as you read the Bible, you really should be asking questions in your mind.

And say well how does that work? And where was this taking place? Or why did this happen? Ask questions and when we get those answers that's how we learn. So how is the Lord talking to Gideon? I was thinking about this.

It's possible that the Lord is speaking to Gideon through the high priest. Here's why I say that. Remember how Moses had a unique relationship with God. Moses spoke to God as it were face to face. But from that point on the Lord did not speak to men face to face.

From that point on, after the death of Moses, it says that the Lord would give words or give direction through the high priest who had the breastplate containing the Urim and the Thummim. And that's not explained.

We don't know how that works. But basically the high priest was a mediator. The Lord communicated through the mediation of the high priest. So is that what's happening here? We're not told, but perhaps.

And just along those lines, it's good to get a refresher because I think the last time I talked about this was in our study in either Numbers or Exodus, but the priest was a mediator. The prophets were mediators.

And last week the angel of the Lord was, when he spoke to Gideon, the angel of the Lord was a mediator. What does that mean, a mediator? We've all heard of psychic mediums. These are people who supposedly are able to contact spirits.

Of course, God's law strictly forbids that practice. It refers to it as sorcery and witchcraft. But the Lord, why did God forbid that? One reason, God wants His people to seek Him out. This is why if a Christian seeks out if a Christian is praying to Mary or the saints or seeking out a psychic medium, God wants people to go directly to Him.

But the point is, a medium is one who stands, supposedly, in between two parties and the communication is channeled through them. So that's what a medium is. You can hear the similarity in the words, medium and mediator.

So the high priest, as a mediator, acted as like a go-between, where God would speak and give messages to the high priest, and then the high priest would then give the message to the people. So is that what's happening here with Gideon?

Perhaps. Or it's possible that God is speaking directly to Gideon without a mediator. We're not exactly sure. Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, says, God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.

So if the Lord is giving direct revelation to Gideon, this is something that happened in Old Testament times, based on what we just read in Hebrews 1. However, this is not something that I believe is occurring today.

I've heard many people say, you know, God spoke to me, and God told me this, and God told me that. And I realize that's kind of Christianese, for people kind of felt like God told them. So I try not to be too hard on people.

It's not theologically correct that God isn't actually giving you direct revelation. But there are people who do claim that God is speaking to them audibly in this age, or giving them specific revelations.

I think based on Hebrews chapter 1, verses 1 and 2, yes, God did that in the past, but in these last days, in this age, God has spoken to us by His Son. So I don't believe that God is giving people direct revelation today.

Why? Because we have the Bible. What's the Bible? What's the New Testament? We have the complete New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ. So is God still speaking today? Well, He is still speaking to us through His Word.

So that's all what I think is helpful information to have when you come across these statements like in verse 2, where it says, and the Lord said to Gideon. Because I know there are people today who read the Bible, and they will see things happening in Scripture, and they just make the assumption, well, if it happened back then, it's still happening today.

Or if it happened to Gideon, why isn't it happening to me? And that's really not a logical conclusion to draw, that just because God did something 3 ,000 years ago, or 2 ,000 years ago, that He's going to do the same thing today in Greenfield.

It's not really the way it works, but anyways, that's what's happening here. Somehow, someway, God is directly communicating to this man, Gideon. And this has to be from the Lord. I mean, this statement, we know it's from God, because Gideon would not have listened to this advice if it came from anyone else.

If you think about it, God is saying to Gideon, you have way too many soldiers. I want you to go into battle with 300 people. I mean, this on the surface seems to be the worst advice ever given. If it wasn't from God, this would have to be the worst military advice ever.

And yet, Gideon obeys. What does that tell you? Gideon knew this was a message from God. This isn't just a feeling. That's what I'm getting at. This isn't just a feeling Gideon has. Sometimes people today will have a feeling, and they think, well, this is the leading of God.

But, you know, your feelings can deceive you. You don't always know. So, Gideon isn't just going off a hunch, and he's saying that, well, it's from God. Or, well, I have this feeling from God, I think.

No, Gideon knows this is a word directly from God. So, the Lord tells Gideon, anyone who is afraid, send them home. So, 20 ,000 men, 20 ,000 soldiers are sent home. And now there's only 10 ,000 that remain.

And what's God's response? Well, that's still too much. So, now the Lord sets up this test. Bring them all down to the water, and depending on how they drink, this is an odd way of determining it, but, you know, the Lord works in mysterious ways.

So, depending on how they drink the water, whether they get down on their knees, or whether they, you know, cup their hands and drink out of their hands, that will determine who you keep and who is sent away.

Long story short, the number gets down to 300 men, and God says, okay, that's perfect. Now, we already saw, or we already read why God is doing this. The Lord is doing it this way, with only 300 men, so that He will receive all the glory.

Here's the principle for you in your life. Whatever you do, do it to the glory of God. Whatever happens in your life, any good thing, give God the credit. Any amazing, wonderful thing that happens to you, thank God for it.

God must receive all the glory. So, with this test, Gideon really has to trust the Lord. Especially going into battle with so few people. Gideon really has to trust God, because on any normal day, this doesn't make any sense at all.

But this is often the way that God works. Think about it. The Lord led the Israelites to the Red Sea. And He did that intentionally, so that they would be trapped in between the sea and the Egyptian army.

And when the people saw it, they panicked. What was God doing? He was testing them to see if they would trust Him. The Lord did that. Why? And He's doing that here. Why? So that in their weakness, in Gideon's weakness, the Lord could show His strength.

What does the scripture say? When we are weak, then He is strong. See, if we think we're strong, we think we can handle it ourselves, I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to. I can do it. The Lord will be like, okay, do it yourself then.

You don't have my help. And then it will come to nothing. But God is able to work best with His people when we realize our weakness. That way we can depend on His strength. 32 ,000 soldiers can accomplish a lot on their own.

300 cannot. But 300 men with a living God on their side, they are unstoppable. Look at verse 8. So the people took provisions and their trumpets in their hands, and He sent away all the rest of Israel, every man to his tent, and retained those 300 men.

Now the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. And it happened on the same night that the Lord said to him, Arise, go down against the camp for I have delivered it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant and you shall hear what they say.

And afterwards your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp. Then Gideon went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp. Now the Midianites and Amalekites and all the people of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts.

You couldn't count the number. And their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude. And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. So Gideon is sort of acting as a spy.

He's trying to get some information. And he overhears this conversation. So the man said, I have a dream. And to my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian. This is a Midianite telling the story.

And it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned and the tent collapsed. Then his companion answered and said, this is nothing else but the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, the man of Israel.

Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp. Think about this. God obviously gave this man a dream and arranged it so that Gideon heard him telling the dream. And even though their military is massive, you couldn't even number the people.

They're all terrified because they already believe they've lost. Because why? God, the living God is with the man of Israel. This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon. Verse 15. And so it was when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation that he worshipped.

And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, arise for the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand. So now he has this encouraging word for his 300 soldiers. So as far as a single battle goes because they are victorious, this may be the most incredible battle in history.

There was a movie that came out a couple years ago titled 300. And no, it's not based on Gideon and his 300. It's based on the story of the 300 Spartans who against all odds well, you probably know the story and if you saw the movie I didn't see it.

But I'm more interested in Gideon and his 300. It's just interesting how it works. The story of Gideon came first so nobody can accuse the Bible of copying this ancient story or legend. But one Bible commentator puts it this way as far as the 300.

He said this, let it be born in mind that the courage required by Gideon and his men was in many respects far beyond that of the much more celebrated 300 at Thermopylae. Because they were to attack not to defend.

That is Gideon was to attack not defend. And because they were to attack on the plain and not to hold a narrow valley. And because they did not have a large number of allies in attendance with them as the 300 Spartans had.

So in other words Gideon's victory was much much greater. The story of Gideon in Judges chapter 7 happened something like 500 -600 years earlier. So the story with Gideon has been called by some you know when you think of that movie the 300 or that whole story of the 300 Spartans.

Some people have called the story with Gideon the real 300. And to that I say Amen. All God's people said Amen. So Gideon divides his men into the 300 into three companies. And what does he give them?

He puts a trumpet into every man's hand. Not a sword and a shield but he puts a trumpet into every man's hand with an empty pitcher and a torch inside the pitcher. Verse 17 and he said to them look at me and do likewise.

Watch and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do. When I blow the trumpet I and all who are with me then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp and say shout it out the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.

Maybe you're familiar with the newspaper or the news publication the Christian publication the sword of the Lord. Well where did they get that? They got it from the story. The sword of the Lord and of Gideon.

So he's going to smash the clay pot they're going to have this torch there's going to be trumpets. They're all going to be shouting and then once Gideon does it then this company over here is going to do it and then that group over there is going to do it and even though there's only 300 it's going to give the appearance that they had many many more people.

So in some ways this is a psychological trick but it's more than that. The Lord really works a miracle here. This battle cry the sword of the Lord and of Gideon the battle cry can literally be rendered for Jehovah and for Gideon.

And notice Gideon is careful to put the name of the Lord first. Remember God is to receive the glory. So how are they going to accomplish this victory? Well it's simple. The battle belongs to the Lord.

You know if people try to do something in their own strength if the people labor but the Lord is not in it it's going to come to nothing. If you try to accomplish something that's against the will of God it cannot succeed.

But this battle they are victorious because the battle belongs to the Lord. They do it by faith. This will be wrought by the power of God. All that they have, each man, a trumpet a torch covered by a pitcher.

What about the sword? Well in the New Testament, just for a moment, think about in the New Testament what's the sword? In the New Testament it's the sword of the spirit, the word of God. As Christians we think of a sword we think of the word of God.

The sword of the spirit. And then in Revelation Jesus is depicted with a sword that proceeds from his mouth. So when we think of the sword we think of God's word and we think of the proclamation of God's word.

But the sword of the Lord here and what God decrees to happen is how the Lord, once Gideon breaks the pitcher, blows the trumpet and they shout the sword of the Lord is that the Lord sets every Midianite soldier's sword against each other.

God just has to speak the word and this is what they do. They kill each other. So it didn't just happen to take place like this clearly the Lord caused it. And God even warned some of the Midianites of this through a dream.

So Gideon really with this battle they don't even have to slay anyone. The Midianites they all turn on each other. Verse 19 Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch just as they had posted the watch and they blew the trumpet and broke the pitchers that were in their hands.

Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers and they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing and they cried the sword of the Lord and of Gideon and every man stood his place all around the camp and the whole army ran and cried out and fled.

And when the three hundred blew the trumpets the Lord set every man's sword against his companion through the whole camp of the Midianites and the army they fled they ran away. So Gideon and the men of Israel now pursue them they get reinforced reinforcements in verse 23 from Naphtali Asher in all Manasseh verse 24 then Gideon send messengers throughout the mountains of Ephraim saying come down against the Midianites and seize from them the watering places as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.

Then two of the Midianite princes are killed so these would have been their chief rulers or their top generals so Israel now clearly has the upper hand. This one victory turns the tide and then the story will continue with a twist in chapter 8.

Chapter 8 begins with some of God's people being upset that Gideon you didn't call us to battle that they weren't able to take part in this and then Gideon has this response. What does the scripture say?

A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. So Gideon compliments them and kind of sets them at ease and now they're happy and then in chapter 8 which we'll look at next time but chapter 8 the people want to make Gideon king.

So Gideon could have been the first king of Israel instead of Saul but he didn't want it. Why? Because Gideon was a man of integrity. Gideon was a man of God who above all wanted to do what God wanted not what he wanted.

So Gideon as a judge he delivered Israel and while there are not any direct statements that would identify him as a type of Christ he's still often seen that way and many Old Testament men of God are.

Commentator Matthew Henry writes this about the possible symbolism of this story. He says this method of defeating the Midianites may be alluded to as exemplifying the destruction of the devil's kingdom in the world by the preaching of the everlasting gospel.

The sounding of that trumpet and the holding forth that light out of earthen vessels for such are the ministers of the gospel. The gospel is a sword not in the hand but in the mouth. The sword of the Lord and of Gideon of God and Jesus Christ.

The wicked are often led to avenge the cause of Christ upon each other under the power of their delusions and the fury of their passions. See also how God often makes the enemies of the church instruments to destroy one another.

The Israelites fought warfare with physical weapons. The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. Today we as Christians continue to wage warfare of a spiritual nature fighting with the sword of the spirit. The gospel is the only weapon that we have.

The word of God, the gospel is the only weapon we have but it is the weapon so to speak that can and will conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil.